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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Clean City Advisory Committee - 09/03/2009 RE ED FE9' 1 0 Clean City Advisory Committee Minutes of September 3, 2009 CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE The meeting opened at 3:08 p.m. in the sixth floor conference room at City Hall. Roll was taken, and the following members were present: Brian Cornelius, Daiquiri Richard, Mikell Smith, Joan Veith, Scot Barker, and Teresa Klein. John Elford and Paige Dinn joined the meeting shortly after roll was taken. The following member was absent: Anthony Castorena. The following ex-officio member representatives were present: Tracey Cantu and Sharon Lewis. The following City staff was present: Elizabeth Hundley, Lawrence Mikolajczyk, and Paul Bass. The August 6, 2009 minutes were discussed and an amendment was requested by Mikell Smith. Joan Veith made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Mikell Smith seconded the motion, which was voted on and passed by the committee. Discussion over the August 6 meeting absences was initiated. Joan Veith made a motion to excuse the absences for Paige Dinn and Theresa Klein. Mikell Smith seconded the motion, which was voted on and passed by the committee. It was reported that Anthony Castorena provided prior notification of his absence on this day. No comments from the public were made. Lawrence Mikolajczyk presented the upcoming changes to refuse, recycling and brush collection. Lawrence described the Dolphin Recycling processing capacity, Recycle Bank incentives program, plans for marketing and education, purchase and distribution of recycling carts, fees for additional garbage carts, and the efficiency of collecting recycling with the automated collection single stream process. There was discussion among the committee and with Lawrence regarding the many aspects of the recycling program. Lawrence updated the committee on other Solid Waste programs, to include reducing brush collection from 10 to 6 cycles per year, the collection of methane gas and electricity generation at the J.C. Elliott Landfill, and the purchase of compressed natural gas trucks for recycling collection. Brian Cornelius presented information on commercial recycling, and described how it was a much different industry when he started working with BFI in 1991. Brian explained that recycling was more profitable and competitive, and that there was an initial push for cardboard due to its value. BFI collects paper, cardboard, aluminum, tin, and plastic numbers 1 and 2. They accept the drop off of recycling materials at their Agnes St. business location from 8:00 to 5:00, Monday through Friday. Brian has worked with many local businesses to expand recycling efforts. Contamination of recycling is a common issue, and has occurred often with the CCISD program. Education is a key element to the success of recycling programs. The committee discussed the significance of education as a major component of a recycling program, and agreed that simple instructions help assure success. SCANNED i t The committee discussed the duties outlined in the Clean City Advisory Committee Ordinance. Daiquiri Richard read the duties described in the ordinance to the committee. The committee discussed its relationship, and communication, with other groups that share similar goals. No action was taken. Daiquiri directed the committee's attention to the agenda item to review a draft a resolution to recognize Texas Recycles Day. There was not a draft resolution to review, and the committee discussed their support of a resolution with no action taken. The committee discussed amending ordinances to reduce litter. Mikell Smith mentioned that he found an example of an ordinance that requires businesses, such as convenience stores that generate more litter, to pay additional taxes to.offset clean-up costs. The committee discussed their observation that the proximity of trash receptacles in relation to human traffic has a direct effect on the amount of litter. There was agreement that enforcement and education are key elements to insure the success of any litter ordinance. John Elford asked why enforcement is an issue. Tracey Cantu from Neighborhood Services explained that enforcement is largely reactive, and focused on residential versus commercial issues. Daiquiri mentioned a discussion from the Pride Committee meeting regarding citizen code rangers that could act as an extension of code compliance. Mikell Smith directed the committees' attention to the agenda item to discuss the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) application. The KAB Litter Index Survey has been completed, and Mikell has incorporated the results into the required KAB application forms. KAB requires the designation of an executive director in the application, which is pending the City's selection of the new Clean City Coordinator. Paul Bass stated that the KAB application requires selection of a board of directors, and perhaps the new Clean City Coordinator would assist in the selection process. In discussing agenda items for the meeting, John Elford recommended that the committee consider meeting with larger group, hold a conference, and get more public input regarding recycling. It was noted that the Green Building conference currently being planned. Joan Vieth mentioned the she's a member of the Bold Future committee on safety and health. Joan requested information from Paul Bass to share at the next meeting. Paul mentioned that as a suggestion from Lawrence, that we include an agenda item to plan an event honor Janice Harte in line with the City's efforts to rejuvenate the recycling program. Paige Dinn suggested that we join in on the Libraries events planned this fall. Mikell suggested that the next agenda include an item for KAB application, selection of Executive Director and composition of the KAB board. John Elford asked about if there were any updates on e-waste. Sharon Lewis provided information regarding the November 14, 2009 event bring planned with Dell Computers and Goodwill Industries. The committee agreed to include the update on the e-waste collection event at the next meeting. The motion to adjourn was made by Teresa Klein and seconded by John Elford. With all in favor, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.