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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />APRIL 24, 2013 <br />USAgain has collected about 36,000 pounds of goods each year in Little <br />Canada. Berg requested that the City consider amending its ordinance to <br />allow these recycling bins by conditional use permit at a reduced fee. <br />Blesener indicated that the City does not allow outdoor storage in its <br />commercial zoning districts. He referred to pictures of existing USAgain <br />bins that have goods piled on the ground and indicated that this is an <br />eyesore. Blesener also noted that USAgain is a for - profit business. He <br />stated that he receives numerous calls per month from organizations that <br />will collect donations at the curb as well as noted many nearby thrift stores <br />that people can take donations to. Blesener stated that he did not support <br />amending the Code to allow these collection bins. <br />Berg reported that USAgain gave back $211,000 last year, and the owners <br />of bin locations can choose the charity that they want supported by <br />USAgain. McGraw asked if USAgain had agreements with the owners of <br />the bin locations. Berg replied that they do, and in some cases there are <br />payments made to these owners for the location. McGraw asked if all the <br />profit from the collections was then donated to the charity of choice. Berg <br />reported that 1 cent per pound (double for schools) is donated either to the <br />charity of choice or as site fees. <br />Montour agreed with the comments of the Mayor and felt that these bins <br />resulted in clutter. Montour noted that there are other avenues for <br />residents to recycle goods. He pointed out that these boxes are poorly <br />maintained with bags and clutter sitting on the ground next to a box for <br />days. In some cases snow has been plowed up to the box preventing <br />people from even accessing it. Montour stated that he would not support a <br />Code amendment. <br />Keis indicated that while he does not have a lot of concern with the <br />donation boxes, he would not support a Code amendment. <br />McGraw stated that he agrees with the comments made by the Mayor and <br />Montour and felt the boxes were an eyesore and poorly maintained. He <br />noted the phone numbers on the boxes for people to call to report the need <br />for pick -up, etc. McGraw asked whose responsibility it was to see that <br />these boxes were emptied. McGraw noted that USAgain is a for - profit <br />company. McGraw stated that he did not support a Code amendment. <br />Boss stated that she did not have concerns about the bins provided they <br />were maintained properly, but understood the other side of this issue as <br />well. <br />11 <br />