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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/15/1996 SWC minutesMOUNT PROSPECT SOLID WASTE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 15, 1996 PRESENT Dick Bachhuber, Bill Donovan, Holly Johnson, George Luteri, Harold Rentschler, Mary Rosen and Mary Winkler. Mr. Pat Comer resident Ms. Michelle Comer resident Lisa Angell Public Works ABSENT Rod Mobus and Ken Westlake CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Vice Chairman LuterL APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the June 20, meeting were approved as written. CITIZEN FORUM Mr. Pat Comer and his daughter were present to 1) learn more about the role of the Commission and the Village's solid waste program and 2) express various concerns about the program and community education efforts. On two occasions during the past few months Mr. Comer experienced problems with the collection of his recyclables; corrugated cardboard not collected and an entire bin of materials not collected. In addition to the lack of service he expressed concern over the method or lack there of by ARC to communicate why the material was not collected. Mr. Comer cited the terms of the contract requiring the refuse hauler to make a daily list of homes that had solid waste left at the curb due to noncompliance and tagging of the material by the hauler informing the resident why the material was not collected. Mr. Comer indicated that he was not on the list either time nor did he receive a "pink" tag from the hauler. However, he did add that he did not call to report the missed pickup of the bin only the corrugated cardboard. The Solid Waste Coordinator did acknowledge there are times when the hauler does error in performing residential collections. When a driver error does occur and the Public Works or ARC is notified every effort is made to return to the home the same day to collect the material; if it cannot be done the same day it will be picked up the next collection day in the Village. In response to his concern that no listing is kept, the Coordinator provided documentation submitted by ARC Disposal listing the homes in noncompliance and what items were left behind. The Coordinator did, again, acknowledge that this system is not fail safe especially with the collection of recyclables. Corrugated has created an even more difficult situation because if not properly prepared the hauler questions whether the material was set -out for recycling or refuse collection, hence neither driver tags the material. The Commission members also stressed that unless a resident calls in a missed pick up Public Works does not know there is a problem. (Missed collections are not documented by the hauler because the problem was an oversight by the driver not the resident.) Mr. Comer also questioned the practice of collecting move -in debris at no additional cost to the homeowner but not move -out debris from the vacating resident. He cited language in the contract that states move -out debris will be collected at no cost. The Solid Waste Coordinator explained that residents moving from their home were required to pay for the removal of material not included in the basic service. The collection of move -out debris at no cost was for the new resident who was left with garbage/debris from the previous owner. The Village did not want to penalize the new owner because of the previous owners failure to comply with the policies and practices of the solid waste program. Commission members also explained that the solid waste contract does define the services ARC is required to provide but the Village identifies which services and implementation of said services according to the residential solid waste program. Mr. Comer and his daughter, Michelle both expressed concern over the Village's method of communicating information to residents in general. Mr. Comer stated that in his particular case he does not subscribe to cable, he does not subscribe to the Daily Herald, he does not receive a Village water bill and he either does not receive the Village Newsletter or it is not delivered on a timely basis. The Commission members acknowledged that other than doing a direct mailing to all residents community education can be difficult. The Coordinator stated she would mention the failure to receive the Newsletter to the Village Clerk; a Commissioner living in the same area of the Village indicated she has never had a problem with delivery of the Newsletter. The Coordinator also explained that due to Citizens Utilities refusal to provide the Village with the names and addresses of their customers there is a delay in solid waste information being sent to new residents serviced by Citizens Utilities. Residents names and addresses are eventually obtained from the transfer in property taxes. When asked how the Village could better communicate with residents, Ms. Comer suggested use of the Chicago Tribune. The Coordinator thanked Ms. Comer for the suggestion and stated she would talk with the Village's Communication Administrator to ensure the information submitted for a press release is given to all local publications. The Commission members thanked Mr. Comer and Michelle for their interest and taking the time to come to the meeting. Mr. Comer was also encouraged to the Public Works at any time with his concerns or questions regarding solid waste services. Mr. Comer in turn thanked the Commission for addressing his concerns and the opportunity to learn more about the Commission. SOLID WASTE PROGRAM/DATA There were no comments regarding the June recycling report. The Coordinator reported there was no change in program services. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION The Coordinator reminded the Commissioners of the September 14, collection day and asked for volunteers to work between 10:15 AM and 1:00 PM. She will contact Commission members the week of the collection to confirm participation. OTHER BUSINESS No other business was brought up for discussion. NEXT MEETING The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 7:30 PM in the Public Works Facility. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PML Respectfully submitted, M. Lisa Angell Solid Waste Coordinator