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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/16/1990 SWC MinutesMOUNT PROSPECT RECYCLING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 1990 PRESENT: Dick Bachhuber, Joe Kubik, Elizabeth Herbert, George Luteri, Ken Westlake and Mary Winkler. Glen Andler - Public Works Staff Harold Rentschler, Mt. Prospect Resident Mike Licashio, Cable System Student Itern ABSENT: Paul Hoefert, Steve Polit and Brian Robertson Chairman Westlake called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. and stated that due to an apparent oversight, no agenda had been published. The July meeting minutes were reviewed and approved without corrections. Joe Kubik asked Glen Andler if the employee hour figures on his August 7, 1990 memo were really the numbers of hours spent on recycling. Glen Andler replied the numbers were accurate. CITIZEN FORUM Harold Rentschler indicated he had no comments and was just listening to the meeting. Mike Licashio showed the Commission the recycling video he prepared for the cable system as his summer intern project. Commission members commented that the video was short, concise and to the point. PROGRAM REVIEW July recycling data was reviewed. Glen Andler pointed out the price of recycled newsprint had recently dropped to zero. However, he did not anticipate the price going negative. Dick Bachhuber asked about the issue of hazardous waste in household trash. Glen Andler remarked that Public Works had unsuccessfully tried to get state funding for a hazardous waste pickup. He wasn't optimistic of acquiring such funding because of intense competition for the program. MULTIFAMILY PROGRAM Glen Andler presented a survey he had prepared for multifamily housing units amenable to curbside recycling. All these units have curbs or alleys readily accessible to a recycling truck. These 801 units, or about 10% of the 8300 multifamily units in the Village, could be easily t added to the present curbside program. The plastic bins should probably be provided free of charge just as with single-family units. The current thinking for most of the remaining multifamily units is to provide dedicated dumpsters for mixed recyclables. BFI is planning to collect the mixed recyclables and separate the items at their new headquarters and transfer station now under construction in Palatine. Cost details are being worked on by BFI. There are a few of the larger multifamily residences that have garbage chutes leading to dumpster compactors. This arrangement presents a problem of how to most conveniently separate the recyclables from the other trash. Suggestions included having the apartment maintenance staff sort the garbage and asking the residents to save their recyclables for a regular pick up day, when a dumpster just for recyclables would be placed under the chute. Glen Andler and Lisa Angell are considering applying for another grant from ENR to help pay for the various bins and dumpsters for the multifamily recycling program. There are some difficulties. Unrestricted grants of up to $50,000 are available to start new programs, but somewhat less might be awarded. Since the grants are competitive and the Village already has received a sizable grant to start the curbside program, the chances of being awarded another large grant are not outstanding. George Luteri commented that the administrative costs associated with applying for and monitoring a small grant; i.e., about $5,000 would probably consume a large percentage of the grant. Glen Andler added that a joint application between the Village and BFI is being considered. This idea, however, raises the problem of who owns the bins and dumpsters. Glen Andler indicated that the Department of Public Works can spend up to $4,000 without Village Board approval, but that it is customary to advise the Board in advance of such plans. Thus, the Public Works Department could purchase 800 small bins for the multifamily curbside program. Ken Westlake volunteered to present the plan to the Village Board on behalf of the Commission. Glen Andler said he would advise the Village Manager so as to get the presentation on the August 28 meeting agenda. GOODWILL INDUSTRIES CURBSIDE PICKUP PROGRAM In reference to the presentation at the July 19 meeting concerning a possible Goodwill Industries curbside pickup program, Glen Andler reported that Bob McMann of Goodwill was generally positive about the idea. However, Mr. McMann expressed some concern about gearing up problems since a Mount Prospect program would be several times the size of the Wheeling program. It would probably be December at the earliest to start such a program because of all the details that need to be considered and resolved. George Luteri commented that the Village might consider promoting the collection of salvagable household items by free-lance scavengers rather than having an exclusive arrangement with a charitable organization. It could be less complicated and achieve the same end. Ken Westlake suggested that any action on the Goodwill curbside program be postponed until the results of the recycling survey are in hand. RECYCLING QUESTIONNAIRE Glen Andler indicated it would be more advantageous to distribute the questionnaire as an insert in the Village Newsletter rather than to have a separate mailing. Broader coverage could be achieved for less money. The questionnaire would also have the return address and a postage paid permit on the side. The disadvantage is that the draft must be completed by September 17, which is thedeadline for the newsletter to go to the printer. George Luteri and Ken Westlake promised to have the draft ready in time. OTHER BUSINESS It was mentioned that Trustee Van Geem has expressed interest and concern in the issue of household hazardous waste. Several members commented that this is an important but potentially complex and costly issue. Ken Westlake suggested that the Commission should consider this issue as an agenda item at a later date. Glen Andler added, in relation to the discussion about hazardous waste, that there is some interest among the Village Trustees to expand the role of the Commission from recycling to the broader issue of solid waste. The Commission should think about this idea for the time being. The next Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 20 at 7:30 at the Public Works building. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, George Luteri GL/jm WASTE/AUGRECY.MTG