Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 11/01/1994MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD SPECIAL MEETING 281 CONFERENCE ROOM - 281 N. COLLEGE AVE. NOVEMBER 1, 1994 For Reference: Phil Friedman, NRAB Chair - 493-2959 Chris Kneeland, Council Liaison - 221-2950 Tom Shoemaker, Staff Liaison - 221-6263 Board Members Present Lisa Steffes, Craig McGee, Phil Murphy, Bill Miller, Tim Johnson (5:55 p.m.) Board Members Absent Phil Friedman, Katy Mason, Arlene Blum, Don Tidd Staff Present Tom Shoemaker, Jon Ruiz, Sally Maggart The meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m. Since a quorum was not present, it became a recycling committee meeting with Craig McGee as chairman. Tom Shoemaker explained the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the content of the presentation on Integrated Solid Waste Management that will be made at the City Council Worksession on November 8 at 6:15 p.m. Jon Ruiz presented the Agenda Item Summary to the committee, noting that the last board meeting focused on the "ideal" system for recycling and waste reduction. Council will be asked to look at several things. 1) Should the focus be on free market or government involvement. 2) Should a consultant be used to investigate creating a city utility. 3) Recommend actions. Ruiz outlined the following suggested actions: 1) Program changes involving voluntary consolidation. Presently, 25-30 percent of neighborhoods have consolidated. Of those that have tried to consolidate, there has been a 70 percent success rate. 2) Legislative action changing the ordinance whereby the city is responsible for public education efforts using increased trash truck licensing fees to pay for a portion of the information plan. Ruiz noted that this seemed to be okay with the haulers; some see it as opportunity for more positive press. 3) Require haulers to charge the same for the first bag of trash as the second bag, etc. McGee asked how this would affect the antitrust regulation. Ruiz explained this would Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 2 be considered a collection method rather than rate setting where the cost of recycling was built into the trash bill. By changing the nuance where trash service in Fort Collins automatically includes recycling, this may meet the attorneys approval. Putting recycling into the base service rate would be one of the recommendations for an ordinance change plus be positive from a recycling standpoint; BFI is piloting this. McGee pointed out that the customer would still be charged for recycling, but it would be spread out more. Ruiz said that people would be paying for it but not forced to use it; it is the way the ordinance is written. Shoemaker noted that this different phrasing has the attorneys interested. Bill Miller asked if it would lower the rates for people who do recycle. Shoemaker thought not. McGee added that you would expect that people who do not recycle might make up the difference. Lisa Steffes felt it would be the extra charge vs convenience. McGee asked if a proposed ordinance would go to public vote or go to Council. Ruiz explained it would be presented to Council. Shoemaker explained that the board and the haulers would have the opportunity to see it first. Ruiz emphasized the importance of locating a composting facility at the landfill and deciding whether it will be part of the collection process or be a drop-off site. Ruiz previewed the goals and objectives. 1) Reduce the waste stream by 20 percent. 2) Divert compostable material away from the landfill. 3) Increase participation in recycling to 80-90 percent. 4) Increase commercial participation in recycling. Miller asked what the participation rate is on residential recycling. Ruiz replied that the actual number is close to 9,000. Ruiz explained that districting could reduce trash haulers to one weekly in a neighborhood and increase participation. Ruiz referred to the table on Free Market Focus vs Government Involvement Focus. He noted that in the category "Anticipated Outcomes", goals aren't met as well in the free market as they would be with a utility. Financial issues need to be worked out. At this point, Vice -chair Bill Miller called the meeting officially to order as there was now a quorum. Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting November 1, 1994 Page 3 Ruiz asked for board comments on this basic presentation to Council and noted there will be more data included in the packets. McGee asked what the ongoing cost would be of the government approach. Shoemaker said it is a difficult question yet both the community and council would want specific costs. A feasibility analysis is needed as well as direction from Council. Tim Johnson felt the cost structure should be similar to Loveland. Miller noted that Streets should have some offsetting data related to impact of trash trucks on city streets These costs might go down even if the city increases cost. Shoemaker replied that street maintenance costs are not fully funded. Johnson would like to keep the bids down with one-half dozen trucks or so. Ruiz explained it is appropriate for this group to further explore the truck issue. There is the basic question of government involvement and the board needs to comment on whether the money should be spent to explore that. Johnson moved that we continue to explore the idea of districting and the government utility. McGee seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Ruiz asked how this motion would get to Council. McGee said he would attend the Council Worksession November 8 and express the Natural Resources Advisory Board's action on the matter. Steffes emphasized that the legislative action related to education will make a big impact and should increase participation in the recycling program. Johnson supported the idea of requiring new homeowner associations to consolidate; possibly eventually requiring it of all homeowner associations. Ruiz agreed it was a good idea, depending on the tact Council takes. Johnson noted it would be helpful to let people know the savings in the individual cost vs the homeowner association consolidation cost; some haulers have adjusted rates for consolidation. McGee asked if there was an active outreach program. Shoemaker replied not at present but will plan to do it be 1995. Miller asked if the city pays for the drop-off recycling sites. Shoemaker explained that CRINC is funded by the county and the city pays 1/3 of the LaPorte expenses. The rest of the drop-off sites are privately funded. He explained the costs are high for drop-off sites; $100,000 a year to operate. Curbside recycling would be more economical. Ruiz said another effort is to add things to the recycling list at CRINC, e.g., magazines. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.