03-13-2023 City Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION DRAFT 2 Mayor Rafferty noted they could move forward at one of the next City Council meetings with 41 accepting the plan. Ms. Cotton explained the City will need to hold a public hearing prior to the 42 Council considering acceptance of the plan. 43 44 Item 2 — Organics Enclosure — Environmental Coordinator Nelson gave a summary of his 45 written staff report noting the City has 475 households participating in the organics program and 46 the carts they are currently using need to be expanded by using dumpsters. A grant was received 47 for an enclosure in 2022 with an extension for construction in the spring of 2023. He shared 48 about potential locations, setbacks, and concerns from residents, as well as the proposed location 49 at Sunrise Park. 50 51 Joe Hill, 6933 Sunrise Drive, stated the enclosure should be set away from the soccer and 52 baseball fields, swing sets, and hockey rink and stated this is not a spot for the organics 53 enclosure. 54 55 A member of the public (Sunrise Drive) expressed concern about property value, attracting 56 animals, the smell, traffic, and that it will be an eyesore in the park. 57 58 Mr. Nelson explained it is a small, 4-yard dumpster, would be sealed with weather-stripping, and 59 serviced weekly. The closest house is over 350 feet away and the City has been working to find a 60 location that is far enough away from houses yet still accessible so people use it. 61 62 Councilmember Lyden inquired as to where other communities place organics enclosures. 63 Mr. Nelson shared information showing enclosures at Wargo Nature Center, another 64 communities Public Works site, and parks. 65 66 Councilmember Ruhland asked if the City has received complaints of smell from the organics. 67 Mr. Nelson replied in the negative, they have not received complaints and animals such as 68 raccoons have not been able to get into the enclosures. 69 70 Councilmember Lyden appreciates the public coming to share their thoughts and also wonders if 71 there is something fundamentally wrong with the City putting garbage in the parks. Maybe it is 72 something the City wouldn’t want to do. 73 74 Mayor Rafferty asked if the City Council feels the program is appropriate and noted it is 75 disappointing to see garbage cans lined up. 76 77 Jeff Johnson, 6965 Sunrise Drive, asked why the enclosure is proposed near a recreational area 78 and why the enclosure couldn’t be put near City Hall or the maintenance garage. 79 80 Barb Schmitt, 6949 Sunrise Drive, asked why it can’t be near a service building. 81 82 Mayor Rafferty asked Mr. Nelson if there are better sites, perhaps one near public works rather 83 than a park setting near homes. Mr. Nelson replied the City has four sites stationed around the 84 City and some are more remote. The west side of town has the heaviest growth and the most use 85 for the organics site and the City found that Sunrise Park fit the ticket. Mayor Rafferty noted if 86