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FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 24, 2004 -12- Refuse Collection -Public Hearing on Resolution of Intent (continued) Mr. Barany said that you have heard and will hear more tonight about many important factors to consider when deciding whether organized collection is the best decision. He would like to talk about one important point: Where the waste goes. Now that you see where he is coming from, let's look at what's happening now. The simple fact is that some haulers are acting responsibly about where their waste goes. Some are acting with limited responsibility. And some are being entirely negligent. The unfortunate fact is that when haulers have to compete for business, they have to consider the bottom line. For many haulers, this means taking the convenient option: Land filling. Land filling is practical for them for many reasons, but it leaves a tremendous environmental, and even economic burden to future generations, especially when it comes to cleaning up the site. But, as in many cases, the convenient option is not the responsible option. The responsible option is to take waste to a resource recovery facility, such as the NRG facility, where it can be re-used to the greatest extent possible. The recovery facility takes many important steps. First, it removes recyclables from the waste stream, allowing them to be put to good use. Second, it removes ferrous metal from the waste stream-one of the main environmentally problematic materials in landfills-as well as any other hazardous waste. Third, it burns more than three quarters of the waste as fuel, getting energy that can be used in our everyday lives and reducing our use ofnon-renewable resources such as fossil fuels. All of this is done while releasing less pollution per year than burning a single barrel of waste in the open air. Clearly, waste recovery facilities are wonderful tools, but why can't individual citizens or the City take action without organizing? Statutorily, the City can't direct where the waste goes unless it is under an organized collection contract. As for citizens, he would say the same thing as before: Some are responsible and pick only haulers that use such facilities, some consider it in their choice but don't act on it, and others are unaware of the environmental impact of their choice of haulers. Fortunately, with organized collection, we can come together to make good choices about where our waste goes without sacrificing other concerns. Only through organized collection can we uniformly do what is responsible, instead of what is convenient. Deborah Kielsmeier, 1892 Tatum Street, and a resident of Falcon Heights since 1995, said that Tatum Street is a through street with no sidewalks, and many children play in the street. There are times when haulers barrel down Tatum, from Larpenteur to Roselawn, to get from one end to the other, which is a real safety issue. Take note of that when making a decision as well. Raymond Wirth, 1795 North Pascal, said there are a number of haulers who have worked hard to develop their businesses. Are we going to take that away from them? Damage to streets - the trucks out now have air suspension, wider tires and additional axles. The stops and starts cause the damage. If two trucks go down the street and make 10 stops and starts, it would be the same as one truck doing the same thing. We have free enterprise and just stick to it. Are we going to socialism? He hopes not. His hauler will pick up bags and bundles. They have biodegradable bags and do a good job. He can be gone for two weeks and get a reduction in rates. He wants to have a choice as to who will pick up his stuff. l~