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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/18/1990 SWC MinutesMOUNT PROSPECT RECYCLING COMMISSION January 18, 1990 Meeting Minutes PRESENT: Dick Bachhuber, Elizabeth Herbert, Paul Hoefert, Joe Kubik George Luteri, Steve Polit, Brian Robertson and Mary Winkler. Herbert L. Weeks and Lisa Angell, Public Works Staff ABSENT: Ken Westlake and Glen Andler The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM by Vice Chairman Steve Polit. The following typographical corrections were made to the December 14, 1989 meeting: 1) Absent: Brian Robertson and Elizabeth Herbert 2) 3rd page, under E. Response from newspapers: legislation 3) 3rd page, under B. Large appliances: PCB capacitors With the above noted corrections the minutes were approved. In an effort to provide residents and other interested parties an opportunity to speak earlier in the meeting, Community Forum has been added to the agenda and follows approval of the minutes. However, there were no residents in attendance at the meeting. Before moving on to the next item on the agenda Steve Polit asked if there were any topics not listed on the agenda that members would like to discuss. George Luteri stated he would like to update the Commission on his inquiries into the use of paper for animal bedding. Herbert Weeks stated he would like the Commission to draft a letter for the Newsletter which would clarify to residents that the Village's yard material policy is a result of state statute. At this time Lisa Angell reported the application for the Illinois EPA Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Program had been submitted. According to an EPA official there are over 30 applicants of which only 4 or 5 will be selected for sponsorship. Steve Polit will call Chairman Westlake to contact the State EPA and make them aware we would be willing to work with other local applicants for a multi -community collection. Following this report the Commission returned to the agenda and reviewed the curbside program data. In addition to the drop in the paper market it was noted that revenues were down from the other two materials as well. The Commission reviewed the per home cost for the service in comparison to program expenditures. Mr. Weeks provided insight into the cost of the program by sharing with the Commission the proposed 1990-1991 budget for solid waste. The Commission agreed efforts should be made to increase recycling, however, there was discussion as to whether money should be the focus. It was suggested the emphasis should be on diversion rate rather than money. The Commission members will try to provide motivating articles for the Village Newsletter in an attempt to increase volumes recycled. In respect to cost/labor saving measures Paul Hoefert questioned whether we encouraged residents not to put. their bins out weekly if they only had a few items each week. It was acknowledged that we remind residents it is only necessary to place the bin at the curb when it is full. Mary Winkler reminded the Commission of a cost savings measure identified several months ago by Glen Andler. In some southwestern city residents place all their refuse on one side of the street so the scavenger has fewer stops hence reduced collection costs. Mary strongly supports this method and suggests the Commission keep this concept in mind. Items discussed under old business: A. Yard Material 1) Village Ordinances - the ordinances have been drafted and will be mailed to Commission members for their review prior to the next Commission meeting. At this time Joe Kubik requested to share with the Commission information pertaining to the Mount Prospect Park Districts composting class listed in their class catalog. Joe asked the Commissions permission to speak with Mr. Fred Behnke, class instructor, to see if he will be encouraging residents to leave grassing clippings on their lawns. And if not to encourage him to do so. 2) Bid for Yard Material Bags - RFPs have been mailed with a bid opening date of January 30. Lisa Angell reported yard material bags made from recycled fibers were not available. She also stated the RFPs specifically requested biodegradable composting bags because of rate of degradation and resistance to moisture. At this point discussion turned to resident feedback as a result of the yard material article in the current Newsletter. Lisa Angell indicated the Public Works Department has received both positive and negative responses from the community regarding the new regulations. The question was raised whether there would be any merit in the Recycling Commission establishing an open coffee, to interact with residents and answer any questions they may have. Lisa indicated most of the time when a resident calls with a question or complaint regarding solid waste it generally needs an immediate response or action. It is only when new programs are implemented or there are changes in existing services that an informal session may be , appropriate. Mr. Weeks suggested the Public Works annual Open House may be the best vehicle in promoting interaction between residents and the Commission. The Public Works Department has a recycling display that Mr. Weeks invited the Commission members to man at the Open House May 19. The question was also raised as to whether the Public Works staff sends out literature to residents with questions regarding solid waste/ recycling. Ms. Angell stated recycling material is sent to new residents and any resident seeking additional information is sent pertinent documentation. The same prodcedure will be followed for inquiries regarding yard materials, once the brochures are available. Dick Bachhuben,suggested we encourage residents to share in the purchase of bags to help alleviate the cost of a bundle of bags. The Commission was also made aware that the retailers, if they choose, can sell the bags individually. 3) Establish Retailers - Public Works staff have contacted 4 retailers in the community requesting their participation in the program. Two of the hardware stores gave verbal commitments and although the other two seem supportive they were not authorized to make a commitment. The list of retailers in addition to Village Hall and Public Works will be listed on the brochure as purchase sites for bags. Based on bid schedule the bags should be available for shipment March 1, 1990. 4) Report from Education and Publicity Subcommittee - Brian Robertson reported the subcommittee had met Monday, January 8 and developed the brochures to be mailed to residents. The Commission approved the brochures as well as the accompanying letter. Brian did suggest a statement in reference to brush collection occuring on the first full week of the month be added to the letter. The Commission then reviewed copies of the proposed verbage to be unprinted on the yard material bag. Following lengthy discussion a few changes were suggested as to the format and verbage. 5) BFI Compost Site - Public Works has been notified that BFI's proposed compost site has been permitted and will be available for yard materials from Mount Prospect. B. 1990 Christmas Tree Program - Public Works staff reported the 2 week program was very successful. Approximately 80% more wood chips were collected this year than in 1989. Labor and costs were reviewed with the Commission. C. Multi -family Service - Public Works staff stated the proposal for Community Development Block Grant money was not accepted. However, the service is included with the proposed 1990-1991 budget, and when available a grant application for funding from the Department of Energy and Natural Resoures (ENR) will be submitted. As Chairman Westlake was not in attendance there was no report given on his contact with the Glass Institute regarding available funding. D. Transfer Site - Mr. Weeks reported he will be meeting with the Mount Prospect Park District and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District next week at which time the transfer site will be discussed. He also stated this project was identified in the 1990-1991 budget requests, and that grant money will be applied for through ENR. E. Recycling in Schools/Public Buildings - Public Works staff reported bins were delivered to Forest View Elementary School and .that Holmes Junior.High currently recycles in-house. Dr. Sutter also contacted the Public Works and stated the various schools would be contacting the office after January 16 regarding bins. Recycling bins are currently being used in the public buildings with either curbside pick up or collection by the Public Works service representative. As Public Works staff were unable to report on Mt. Prospect Park District's participation rate Steve Polit stated he would contact their office for feedback. F. Recycling Household Goods - Public Works staff have contacted several non-profit organizations to see if they would like their names listed in the Village Newsletter. The purpose is to encourage residents to recycle their household goods. The names of the organizations will be listed in the next Newsletter. As there was no other old business to discuss the meeting moved on to new business. A. Mount Prospect Recycling Station - Public Works staff reported the recycling center no longer accepts glass but if residents were interested in taking their material to buy back center they can use New Way Recycling, 542 Colfax in Palatine. Apparently the center is no longer taking glass because they may begin taking additional paper products, ie, magazines, computer paper, etc. in the future. The Commission requested Public Works staff find out if the processing center where the aluminum is taken also accepts steel cans. If so, perhaps consideration should be given to expanding the curbside program to include steel. Other - 1) Recycled Paper - Dr. Luteri gave an update on his research into the use of recycled paper for animal bedding. He has talked to sources in Wisconsin and received favorable reports. Apparently there is a definite market in agricultural areas for the material. The Commission supported Dr. Luteri's request to contact BFI to discuss this option. He stated the long-term concern is that without increased usage for newspaper it may be landfilled. 2) Village Newsletter - Mr. Weeks suggested an article be put in the Newsletter detailing the state law regarding the ban on yard materials in the landfill. Although the Commission took no action on this particular subject, it was suggested by Steve Polit that the Commission become more involved with contributing articles to the Newsletter promoting recycling. Steve also sought input on organizing a Speakers Group among the Commission. Paul Hoefert indicated he would be willing to participate in such a group. The next meeting will be Thursday, February 15. As there was no other business the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 PM. Respectfully Submitted M. Lisa Angell