Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/18/1990 SWC MinutesMOUNT PROSPECT RECYCLING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 1990 PRESENT: Dick Bachhuber, Paul Hoefert, Joe Kubik, George Luteri, Ken Westlake and Mary Winkler. Glen Andler and Lisa Angell - Public Works Staff Harold and Doris Rentschler - Mt. Prospect Residents ABSENT: Elizabeth Herbert, Steve Polit and Brian Robertson Chairman Westlake called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. The September meeting minutes were reviewed and the following corrections were made; 1) page 4, Second Recycling Bin Policy, line four should read, There have been about 30 requests per month for bins due to theft, damage or need for additional bin. 2) page 4, Second Recycling Bin Policy, following - ments., line 6, insert, The Commission members recommend Public Works make 2nd bins available to residents for a fee, as well as, a fee for replacement bins. Page 1, paragraph 2 - Joe Kubik questioned the figures for the household hazardous waste collection. Lisa Angell stated the figures were accurately quoted from the source, Jim Miller SET, but recently Mr. Miller recanted these figures saying they may be on the high side because the turnout in Park Ridge was considerably lower. At this time Joe also mentioned Amoco's recent announcement that local stations now accept used oil. As there were no additional questions or corrections the September meetings were approved with noted revisions. CITIZEN FORUM No comments from citizens present. PROGRAM REVIEW A. Curbside - Question was raised about effects of newspaper market. Glen Andler stated he spoke with Tom Kleczewski, BFI, and Mr. Kleczewski indicated the market would continue to worsen before getting better. Glen mentioned some communities are paying $10.00 a ton for paper going to processing facilities. He also informed the Commission Hoffman Estate's solid waste contract has a clause that BFI can drop newsprint from the recycling program if the market so warrants. B. Yardwaste/Leaves - George Luteri stated a recent article in the Solid Waste Newsletter, was about farmers finding a new source of revenue through leaf disposal programs. Farmers apparently are charging a user fee for disposing leaves on their property primarily for the cash rather than nutritional value to land. At this time there is no research to indicate the leaves have an effect on crops. Dick Bachhuber stated he watched the leaf machine in action today and the streets were very clean. Dick questined where the street sweepings went. Glen Andler stated the sweepings go to the landfill. Glen also mentioned the Village has two new leaf machines and noted bag sales are way down. In addition, Glen conveyed there are a few problems with field preparation at the Village's leaf site. Ken Westlake then asked about leaves taken to Melas Park. Glen responded that at this time the leaves are removed daily but when leaf collection becomes heavier it is difficult to keep up daily removal. Glen added the Village is still in the process of securing a permanent transfer site. Glen also shared information on new burn units which have recently been presented as an option. Apparently the unit has IEPA approval. Chairman Westlake wondered if we had received any inquiries about leaf collection in terms of the Village's yard material program. Glen responded no. QUESTIONNAIRE A brief discussion was held on the questionnaires and Glen explained about the mixup regarding return postage. The questionnaires will be distributed to the Commissioners after adjournment. MULTIFAMILY The recycling flyer for multifamily units was distributed for final review by the Commission. One last change was made to rephrase the information about aluminum cans. The sentence to read; It takes the same amount of energy to make 20 cans out of recycled aluminum as it does to make 1 can out of virgin material, a 95% energy savings. Glen informed the Commissioners the flyer will also be printed in Spanish and mailed to participating areas known to have a number of Hispanic tenants. He also conveyed the concern expressed by one of the property managers when contacted about the program. The property manager was concerned about the potential for problems with the glass, etc. Glen suggested to go ahead as planned but monitor the area very closely; the Commission concurred. The Boxwood Association has requested a speaker for their November 7, 1990 meeting to discuss multifamily recycling. Glen indicated neither he or Lisa Angell would be available for the meeting but could provide details to whoever did address the group. Mary Winkler volunteered and will call Cindy Jetter, Vice President of the Assoication. Glen mentioned the Girl Scouts from Boxwood will be involved with the bin delivery in that area. BFI PROCESSING FACILITY Glen Andler informed the Commission that BFI has run into problems with soil borings at the processing site which have set back plans for opening the facility before March of 1991. Since this would delay the Village's expansion into plastic Glen aksed BFI if they would consider taking the plastic to ARC in the interim. Although BFI is reluctant they could do so for a price. Glen Andler shared his conversation with the Village Manager regarding the current solid waste contract; expiration July 1991. It was suggested that rather than continuing to add riders to the current contract the Commission concentrate on terms for the new contract. The question was raised about extending the contract but opinion was it would be better to go out for bid. (Bid package would need to be put together by December.) After a brief discussion the Commission felt program expansion for plastics and steel cans should be pursued under the current contract. The Commission directed Glen to request BFI to submit a proposal for the additional items for review at the November meeting. The following questions were raised in respect to solid waste collection: 1) Should services be segragated? Glen did not feel it would be administratively wise to do so. 2) How is BFI's service compared to other communities? Comparable, on any given day, any given hauler will have problems. 3) Questioned BFI's longterm service to Village. Only bidder. OTHER BUSINESS The Public Works Department started recycling office/computer paper through Desktop Recycling in October. Glen explained the program, a one time $50.00 startup fee and the revenue split when the market permits. Harold Rentschler mentioned Steve Polit addressed the Mount Prospect Park District and suggested their organization procure recycled paper as well as recycle paper internally. Lisa Angell stated she had talked to Steve on this matter and would be contacting Lois at the Park District. The Commission was made aware the Board of Trustees passed the ordinance regarding the purchase of second recycling bins. Effective November 1, replacement and 2nd bins will be available to residents for $6.00 per bin. New residents will receive a bin at no charge upon presentation of a completed bin receipt. Bins will be available at Public Works and Village Hall. Initial response to the Jean Murphy column was to draft a response highlighting the merits of our program. However, the Commission feels it would be best just to concentrate on program growth and continue to provide an effective and efficient service. Paul Hoefert updated the Commission on the meeting Mary Winkler, George Luteri and he had with Janet Hanson from the Chamber of Commerce regarding recycling in the Business Community. Ms. Hanson will be sending a questionnaire to Mount Prospect businesses and then develop a brochure, specific to the type of business, listing recycling companies to meet their needs. The finished product should be available in January 1991. Chairman Westlake suggested Paul contact the Department of Energy and Natural Resources for information that organization already has compiled on this same subject. Paul Hofert also talked about the organization, People Educating Other People For A Long Lasting Environment. The organization was founded by a teacher and students from River Trails school. Paul suggested the Commission invite the teacher and a few of the students to one of the Commission meetings. The Commission agreed and Ken Westlake is to contact the teacher. The organization which promotes modification of personal and business habits for a better environment recently won the President's Environmental Youth Award. Discussion on the future/expanded charge of the Commission was put on the agenda for the November meeting. Mrs. Rentscler asked Commission members if there was a local market for polystyrene. She was informed 7 -here was no local market at this time. There was also a brief discussion on how local ordinances, health and -fire would effect commercial, ie, restaurants, recycling efforts. It was suggested the Village Board may want to review fire ordinance on storage of paper. Since the holidays are approaching the Commission discussed a change in meeting times. The November meeting will be the third Thursday, November 15 but the December meeting will be the second Thursday of the month, December 13. There being no other business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM. Respectfully submitted,