HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/16/1995 SWC MinutesMOUNT PROSPECT SOLID WASTE COMMISSION
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 16, 1995
PRESENT: Dick Bachhuber, George Luten, Rod Mobus, Harold Rentschler, Ken Westlake and
Mary Winkler.
Peter Lannon - resident
Cal McAllister - Daily Herald
Dean Geroulis - Chicago Tribune
ABSENT: Bill Donovan, Elizabeth Herbert and Holly Johnson.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Westlake called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes from the January 19, 1995 meeting were approved as written.
CITIZEN FORUM:
Mr. Peter Lannon distributed a copy of an article from the Wall Street Journal, "Trash Talk:
Debunking the Mvth", January 19, 1995. Based on the information in the article, Mr. Lannon
expressed his concern on the cost effectiveness of the Village's curbside recycling program. He
also questioned the need for the Village's involvement with SWANCC and the efforts to site the
balefill; according to the article there is no landfill shortage.
Chairman Westlake provided some additional insight into the information detailed in the article;
how the information applied to Illinois, specifically the northwest suburbs. While nationwide
there may not be a landfill crisis, in the Chicago region there has been no new landfill sited
since 1981; two landfills located in DuPage are scheduled to close in 1997.
There was a lengthy discussion on the merits of recycling and other waste disposal issues.
Chairman Westlake stated that the Mount Prospect Recycling Program is at a break even point as
far as cost; what the Village saves in tipping fees for the recyclables collected pays for the cost of
the program. (While several variables must be considered f i Cher analysis of the recycling
program shows the program is not at the break even point. However, it is anticipated that as the
fees for waste disposal continue to rise tipping fees will soon exceed the costs associated with
recycling.)
SOLID WASTE PROGRAMS/MONTHLY DATA:
There was no discussion on existing programs or monthly data.
COMMERCIAL RECYCLING:
As Ms. Janet Hansen, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director was unable to attend the
meeting it was suggested that it may be more conducive for a representative from the Commission
to meet with Ms. Hansen and the Chamber's Governmental Affairs Committee to discuss
commercial recycling. (The Commission would like to see the Park Ridge Recycling Program
replicated in Mount Prospect.)
ADOPT -A -HIGHWAY PROGRAM:
The Ad -Hoc Committee was unable to meet as scheduled; the meeting was rescheduled for March
2. Commissioner Rentschler did provide a detailed packet of information about Adopt -A -
Highway Programs in other states as well as some observations as to how the program may work
is this community.
The Coordinator will provide the Commission a list of areas that are already being maintained
through contractual services.
DOWNTOWN RECYCLING:
The Coordinator reported that according to ARC Disposal the most frequently found recyclable in
the downtown refuse receptacles was newspaper. She also stated there are on-going problems
with downtown businesses using the receptacles for their refuse.
There was a discussion as to where additional newspaper containers could be sited near the train
station and a recommendation that signage be placed at the train station informing commuters of
the location of the existing recycling container for newspaper. It was also the consensus of the
Commission that a waste audit be conducted on a few of the downtown receptacles; the
Commission would like to participate in the process.
SWANCC:
Vice Chair Luteri updated the Commission on a few issues:
1) Reduction in the number of inspections by the Citizens Advisory Committee
2) Changes in IEPA operating permit
OTHER BUSINESS:
Chairman Westlake reported he had made a presentation to the Kiwanis. He also stated he had
spoke with Mayor Farley regarding the vacancy on the Commission due to Commissioner
Herbert's recent resignation.
NEXT MEETING:
The Commission meeting was scheduled for Thursday, March 16 at 7:30 PM in the Public Works
Facility, at 1700 West Central Road.
ADJOINT:
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
�-
M. Lisa Angell
Solid Waste Coordinator