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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/28/1988 Council Minutes254 COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 28, 1988 The Council Work Session was called to order by Mayor Benson at 6:12 P.M., Monday, March 28, 1988. Council Members present: Bisel, Bohjanen. Council Members absent: Reinert. City Administrator, Randy Schumacher; Public Works Director, Don Volk and Clerk- Treasurer, Marilyn Anderson were also present. The purpose of the Work Session is to update the Council regarding solid waste abatement. Mr. Schumacher introduced Ms. Victoria Stransky, Solid Waste Abatement Specialist, Paul McCarron, County Commissioner, District #6 and Chairman of the Solid Waste Abatement Advisory Task Force and Margaret Langfeld, County Commissioner for this part of Anoka County. He asked them to explain to the Council where the solid waste abatement program started, what it is all about and how this City will be involved in the program. Ms. Stransky distributed to the Council a booklet entitled, "Managing Solid Waste in Anoka County ". This booklet describes Anoka County's activities for diverting garbage from landfills. Ms. Stranky explained that the State has mandated that the use of landfills be reduced by requiring that counties solid waste be either recycled /composted or processed. A target date of 1992 has been set for reducing solid waste by 20 %. In addition, municipalities will be required to develop an abatement program or the county will develop a program for that municipality. Compost sites are being established and the Elk River Resource Recovery Project (RDF) will be operational by 1989. This facility will process about 80% of the solid waste generated in Anoka County. Grants are available to municipalities so that they can develop and implement a solid waste management program in conjunction with the county plan. Grants will be allocated according to performance. Lino Lakes has entered into a joint powers agreement with Anoka County and will receive $3,396.00 to hire a consultant to help this City formulate a solid waste abatement plan. In addition, this City is already participating in a compost program with Anoka County. This facility is located in the Regional Park. Lino Lakes will receive additional grants for funding its participation in the compost program. There are other grants available for commercial and industrial waste abatement. Mayor Benson asked for suggestions on getting public cooperation to make the program effective. Ms. Stransky PAGE 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 28, 1988 suggested newspaper ads, brochures, posters for public education and other promotions. She also noted that the County Commissioners are working on getting the message to the public. Other methods of promoting the program are incentives, volume based fees and lotteries. Mayor Benson noted articles can be included in the City newsletter and on cable T V. Curb side recycling was discussed. It was noted that this program works better when there is only one hauler in the community. There are currently about seven cities who contract with one hauler and Mr. McCarron noted that Spring Lake Park will be holding a public hearing to try to go to a city wide collection. It was suggested that since Lino Lakes is so large the City could be divided into districts and each district could have on hauler. It was noted that by going with one hauler, collection rates will possibly be equalized and there will be less use of the streets by duplicating hauling services in each area. Mayor Benson asked if haulers were cooperating and promoting recycling. It was noted that they are since it is becoming more difficult to find adequate dumping sites and dumping fees are steadily increasing. Mr. Bohjanen noted that one problem in this City is brush. Mr. Stransky said only yard waste is accepted at compost sites and brush will not be accepted at the RDF site. The only place for brush is landfills and they charge a healthy fee for brush. Mr. Bohjanen suggested that a chipping process be investigated for branches and trees. Ms. Stransky suggested there may be grants available for a chipping program. Mayor Benson noted that this could be incorporated into the compost site. Mayor Benson asked that information about these programs come from the County on a regular basis. Mr. Volk said he would stay in close contact with Ms. Stransky. Mayor Benson thanked Mrs. Langfeld, Ms. Stransky and Mr. McCarron for coming this evening. Mayor Benson asked the staff to follow up on the ideas presented this evening and look at putting an ordinance in place before 1989. He also suggested that a question on solid waste abatement be added to the City Survey. The question could be phrased "Would you support one carrier per area or city or how do you feel about recycling ?" PAGE 2 255 256 COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 28, 1988 Mr. Bisel moved to adjourn at 7:02 P.M. Mr. Bohjanen seconded the motion. Aye. Approved this 28th day of March 1988. PAGE 3 1