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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/21/1993 SWC MinutesMOUNT PROSPECT SOLID WASTE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 1993 PRESENT: Dick Bachhuber, Bill Donovan, Elizabeth Herbert, Holly Johnson, George Luteri, Rod Mobus, Harold Rentschler, Ken Westlake and Mary Winkler.. Diane Preinitz - resident Brian Hosey - Daily Herald Reporter Herbert L. Weeks - Public Works Director Glen Andler - Deputy Public Works Director Lisa Angell - Solid Waste Coordinator CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM by Chairman Westlake. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from the September 16, 1993 meeting were approved as written. CITIZEN FORUM: Ms. Preinitz was invited to address the Commission but declined stating she was here to observe. SOLID WASTE PROGRAMS: In response to a recent request to extend the Village's leaf collection program Mr. Weeks explained that the primary reason the Public Works Department must maintain the current collection period is to allow for the time needed to convert the trucks for snow plowing. The same 12 trucks used for leaf collection are also used for snow plowing and the conversion takes approximate- ly 6 hours per truck. Mr. Weeks also related a few of the problems associated with leaf collection such as foreign objects in the leaf piles. Equipment damaged by certain objects, ie, pieces of metal, can put the leaf machines out of commission for several hours. The Commission suggested sharing this information with residents through the Village Newsletter. They felt that if residents were aware of the costs and down time perhaps they would be more conscientious about what goes in the leaf piles. The Solid Waste Coordinator reported the Forestry Division is trying to close the loop on yard material by testing the compost generated by the facility where the Village's yard material is taken. MONTHLY DATA: There was no discussion or questions on the September data. SOLID WASTE BID SPECIFICATIONS: A list of specific solid waste services was distributed to the Commission for discussion and recommendations. The Commission will share this information with the Board of Trustees at a meeting tentatively scheduled for November 13, 1993. The following is a brief summary of the discussion and the re- sults of the informal vote taken on each item: Refuse - Service Level A. Basic Service 1) One Container - 4 Commissioners support this level. 2) Two Containers - 5 Commissioners support this level B. Straight User Fee System - no support for this system The Commissioners supporting a one container system felt it would motivate residents to recycle more rigorously and increase their efforts in reducing waste at the source. The Commission- ers supporting the one container system agreed additional recyclables would need to be added to the program. (Bill Dono- van, Holly Johnson, Harold Rentschler and Ken Westlake.) Some of the comments made by Commissioners wanting to maintain the current two container included: . Residents would view going to one container as a tax increase . Residents may feel their backs are up against the wall. . Most residents continue to need more than one container per week to dispose of their waste. (Dick Bachhuber, Elizabeth Herbert, George Luteri, Rod Mobus and Mary Winkler. C. Bulk Items There was little discussion on this issue as most of the Commis- sioners felt it was difficult for residents to dispose of bulk items and the current system seemed to work well. The Commis- sion did suggest the current list of bulk items be reviewed and recommendations for any additions be made. 8 Commissioners supported the collection of bulk item at no additional cost; same as current program. (Bachhuber, Donovan, Herbert, Johnson, Luteri, Mobus, Rentschler and Westlake) Commissioner Winkler voted to have residents pay for the collec- tion and disposal of bulk items. She indicated residents could donate these items to their favorite charity. D. White Goods (Effective July 1, 1994 "white goods" will no longer be accepted at landfills. Although not all the items will have to be pro- cessed for the removal of hazardous materials all of the items will have to be collected by a separate refuse truck. Since additional costs may be incurred as a result of the state law three options for covering the cost of bulk item collection were discussed by the Commission.) The Village absorb the cost of the service through the basic service fee. - no support Residents be required to affix a predetermined number of stickers on each item. - no support Special pickup arranged by the resident with the hauler; resident responsible for cost of service. - All 9 Commissioners support this system. at was initially suggested there may not be many "white goods" out there, hence the cost for including collection under basic service could be nominal. However, several Commissioners felt it was the residents' responsibility to dispose of the item. It was also agreed residents needed to be educated on the disposal .of "white goods" and how to exercise their options. E. Spring and Fall Cleanups ( 1 week each) While their was some discussion on changing the dates and adding a third week, the final vote indicated all Commissioners support- ed keeping the program as is. (Bachhuber, Donovan, Herbert, Johnson, Luteri, Mobus, Rentschler, Westlake and Winkler.) Recyclables A. Modification to current list of acceptable items. The Commission discussed and voted.on adding the following items to the existing list of materials collected. The Commissioners were asked to either vote whether the additional item(s) should be added to the base group or bid on separately. The Commissioners had several questions regarding the cost of adding additional materials. The Solid Waste Coordinator indi- cated that based on the contracts she has read collection of an expanded list of recyclables in municipal programs does not increase fees significantly. Corrugated Cardboard - 8 Commissioners voted to include this item in the base list of recyclables collected. (Donovan, Herbert, Johnson, Luteri, Mobus, Rentschler, Westlake and Winkler.) Commissioner Bachhuber voted to have corrugated cardboard bid separate from the base list. Telephone Books - 8 Commissioners voted to include old telephone directories to the base list of acceptable materials. (Donovan, Herbert, Johnson, Luteri, Mobus, Rentschler, Westlake and Winkler.) Commissioner Bachhuber voted to have telephone books bid separate from the base list. All #1 and #2 plastic containers - 7 Commissioners voted to include the additional items on the base list. (Donovan, Herbert, Johnson, Mobus, Rentschler, Westlake and Winkler.) Commissioners Bachhuber and Luteri voted to have the addition- al items bid separate from the base list. Mixed Plastic (Numbers 3 through 7 excluding plastic bags) - All 9 Commissioners voted to have mixed plastic bid separate from the base list. Aluminum food containers, ie, pie and frozen foods - All 9 Commissioners voted to have all aluminum food and beverage containers added to the base list. There was a brief discussion about adding aluminum foil but due to the significant potential for contamination there was no support for adding this item. Aeseptic packaging (Juice and milk containers) - 7 Commissioners voted to include aeseptic packaging in the base list. (Donovan, Herbert, Johnson, Mobus, Rentschler, Westlake and Winkler.) Commissioners Bachhuber and Luteri voted to bid aeseptic packaging separate from the base list. Car Batteries - All 9 Commissioners voted to have this item bid separate from the base list. Motor oil - All 9 Commissioners voted to have this item bid separate from the base list. Although these items, (car batteries and used motor oil) are sometimes thrown in at no additional cost by the hauler, the Village would consider the potential liability as well as the need for curbside collection before adding these items. B. Revenue from the Sale of Recyclables The Village currently receives 50% from the sale of recyclables from ARC Recycling. Although eliminating the split could potentially lower the per unit cost and minimize financial risks to the Village there was concern residents may view this negatively. Regardless of the small amount of money generated residents still feel the Village is benefiting from their efforts. It could be perceived that the Village is allowing the hauler to make money off the residents, hence discouraging resident participation. Yard Material A. User Fee System Containerized yard material - All 9 Commissioners voted to maintain the user fee system. Brush - All the Commissioners expressed their concern for the cost of the program; there seemed to be a general consensus that brush should be a user fee system as well. (The Village currently pays a $1.21 per bundle whether it is one twig or the maximum size or if a resident has an occasional bundle or takes an entire tree down generating. Mr. Andler described three options for the Commission's con sideration: All brush bundles must have a sticker The cost for brush collection be built into the sticker fee for containerized waste. The refuse hauler be paid a flat fee per unit/per month for brush collection. The Commission voted to have all three options included in the bid specifications. B. Christmas Trees - Although the entire Commission voted to have the cost for collecting and composting clean Christmas Trees built into the basic service cost they feel other options may need to be considered. Hazardous Materials The Commission agreed this should not be included in the con- tract as SWANCC is or will be pursuing various options on behalf of member communities. Reusable Household Items Although there was little discussion on this category the gener- al feeling was to include reusable household goods as on option- al service. OTHER BUSINESS• No additional business was brought up for discussion. NEXT MEETING: The Commission will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meet- ing, Thursday, November 19, 7:30 PM in the Public Works Facili- ty, 1700 West Central Road. A meeting with the Mayor and Board of Trustees has been tenta- tively scheduled for Saturday, November 13; Coffee with Council. ADJOURN: There being no further business the motion to adjourn was moved, seconded and unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 11:05 PM. Respectfully submitted, M. Lisa Angell Solid Waste Coordinator