HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/05/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session J/1 St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
MAY 4, 2015
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs (arrived 7:06 p.m ), Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin,
Gregg Lindberg, Anne Mavity, Susan Sanger, and Jake Spano (arrived at 6:37 p.m.).
Councilmembers absent: None.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Director of Operations
and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Public Works Services Manager (Mr. Merkley), Solid Waste
Program Coordinator (Ms. Fisher), Public Works Supenntendent (Mr. Hanson), and Recording
Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
1. Polystyrene/Plastic Bag Update
Ms. Fisher presented the staff report and discussed the City's education campaign to increase
participation in the organics program, including the use of yard signs promoting the program by
current participants. She advised that staff will present an update in June to the Environment &
Sustainability Commission regarding polystyrene (PS) and single-use plastic bag initiatives. She
discussed next steps and stated that the City Attorney has indicated that the City has the legal
authority to regulate PS and single-use plastic bags and will need to make sure any ordinance is
tied to a legitimate governmental purpose. She stated staff is also tracking the City of
Minneapolis' ordinance related to PS and has reviewed sample ordinances from around the
nation; in addition, staff has been surveying cities that have banned single-use plastic bags. She
stated the proposed timeline includes a presentation in June by a panel of industry experts
followed by a robust public information process in July and August and a study session
discussion in September to discuss the recommended policy implementation process.
Councilmember Mavity stated she was comfortable with the proposed next steps and timeline.
She asked about a recent statement by Hennepin County that referenced a 42% increase in
organics recycling that appeared to indicate the increase was attnbutable to St. Louis Park. She
stated she would like to know if there was any data available corroborating that statement and if
the statement is true, the City should acknowledge and celebrate this increase.
Councilmember Spano indicated a recent tweet by Hennepin County Commissioner Greene
thanked St Louis Park for increasing organics by 42% He stated he was fine with the proposed
next steps and timeline, but wanted to set a higher target for increasing organics participation by
June 2016 because he felt the City could do better. He did not agree with charging a fee for
paper bags and stated if the idea is to incent the use of more biodegradable matenals, he did not
want to charge a fee for using a biodegradable material and suggested offering a discount if a
customer brings in their own bag.
Councilmember Sanger stated her previous suggestion about charging a fee was related to a fee
for using a plastic bag and not a paper bag. She did not think there could be a 100% ban on all
plastic bags in all circumstances and there may need to be some exceptions where there is no
other alternative, e.g., the plastic bags used for newspaper delivery, and she felt the proposed ban
on plastic bags should be targeted to retail establishments. She noted that the proposed PS ban
includes an exception for containers that are recyclable, compostable, or reusable, and felt that
the exception for reusable containers was in the eye of the beholder and those containers still end
Special Study Session Minutes -2- May 4, 2015
up in the waste stream and suggested removing the word "reusable." She stated the PS ban
should also apply to grocery stores that offer takeout. She stated she was fine with the proposed
next steps and timeline but was concerned that the proposed industry experts' panel would be
one-sided and felt that technical experts from an environmental organization should be invited to
provide a balanced panel and suggested contacting the Sierra Club or a similar organization.
Councilmember Sanger stated that one of the obstacles to participating in the organics program
has to do with the fact that not all residents have room for a large container and requested that
staff see if there are alternatives available. She stated the City of Minneapolis does not charge
extra for organics recycling and has built the cost of the program into its rate structure so it is not
punitive to those choosing to participate and asked staff to review the City's rate structure.
It was the consensus of the City Council to support a future study session discussion regarding
the rate structure for the organics program.
Ms. Fisher stated that ordinances in other cities are limited to single-use plastic bags used in
retail, such as grocery stores, and ban the use of plastic bags given out at the point of sale.
Councilmember Lindberg stated he appreciated the systematic approach being taken but
questioned whether sufficient time has been allotted for the public input process. He stated that
one of Council's defining goals is being an environmental leader and felt the process lacked
strategic direction, including goals and outcomes so that Council can measure its progress on
being an environmental leader.
Mayor Pro Tem Brausen agreed with the suggestion regarding the industry expert panel. He
stated he wanted to make sure any ban on the use of single-use plastic bags was extended to gas
stations and other places that use a lot of plastic bags He requested further information about
the 2016 mandate on recycling for businesses and multi-family housing.
Ms. Fisher explained that the State mandate requires certain businesses provide the opportunity
to recycle at least three broad matenal categones including paper, plastic, metal, and glass, and
can include organics.
Mayor Pro Tem Brausen urged the City to promote organics recycling at restaurants and fast
food establishments.
Ms. Fisher stated the City intends to promote organics recycling at restaurants and fast food
businesses and noted that Hennepin County has targeted their outreach to businesses that qualify
as high generators, e.g., restaurants.
Mayor Jacobs arrived at 7:06 p.m. and presided over the remainder of the meeting
Councilmember Sanger asked if the City could adopt an ordinance that requires businesses and
multi-family housing to recycle more than three types of matenals.
Mr. Scott agreed to follow-up on Councilmember Sanger's question.
Councilmember Lindberg stated he would like further information about compliance efforts from
a data and staff perspective.
Special Study Session Minutes -3- May 4, 2015
Councilmember Sanger stated the PS ban is aimed at takeout food and would like to see the ban
extended to items that are packaged in PS by the manufacturer, e.g., egg cartons. Mr. Scott
responded that this may raise interstate commerce concerns.
Councilmember Brausen stated he would like the PS ban extended to Styrofoam cups as well.
Mayor Jacobs adjourned the meeting at 7:16 p.m
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