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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/03/05 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionIII% Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA MARCH 5, 2018 The meeting convened at 6:20 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne Mavity, and Margaret Rog. Absent: Thom Miller Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Operations and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Solid Waste Program Coordinator (Ms. Fisher), Public Works Services Manager (Mr. Merkley), Public Works Superintendent (Mr. Hanson), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). Guests: None. 1. 2018-2023 Solid Waste Collection Proposals Ms. Fisher explained staff completed the request for proposals for collection of garbage, recycling, organics and yard waste for the city for a period of the next 5 years (2018-2023). She stated that staff would like direction on several policy questions including: • Every other week (EOW) garbage collection • Weekly recycling collection, which includes an increased cost • Separate collection for organics and yard waste • Hauler options — option 1, 2 or 3 Ms. Fisher noted that a survey was distributed to 1,000 randomly selected St. Louis Park residents with city solid waste collection services to receive their opinions related to garbage, recycling and organics collection. She noted that 722 responses were received. She stated that staff researched for women or minority owned hauling companies and found none. From there, staff contacted ten haulers, and five submitted proposals. She added that the major difference in the proposals was in the area of recycling. From there, staff prepared 3 hauler options for consideration by council, and each of the options can accommodate any of the collection methods. Councilmember Brausen asked if it is possible to have EOW garbage collection. Ms. Fisher stated yes, but that 75% of residents said they were not interested in it, adding that staff also thinks it may be problematic to require EOW garbage collection citywide. Councilmember Brausen stated that 68% of residents are not doing organics recycling, adding that food waste is more of a problem. He added that in reality many residents are using 20 -gallon carts that are not full of garbage on collection day. Councilmember Harris asked if there would be an increase in the amount of participation in recycling if there was weekly recycling pick up. Ms. Fisher stated that studies have been done, but nothing clearly states that there is more material collected. She added that if residents don't have to worry about when to set out recycling, there may be more participation. She added, however, that there is no data on this. Special Study Session Minutes -2- March 5, 2018 Councilmember Harris stated that some families in her neighborhood want more recycling and asked for education on setting out recycling in paper bags if residents do not have enough room in their containers. Councilmember Rog added that she did an informal Facebook poll in her ward, and most residents were opposed to EOW garbage collection; however, in the colder months, they were more interested in EOW collection. Ms. Fisher stated that this could be further explored. Councilmember Rog asked if the city has any recycling drop-off sites. Ms. Fisher said no. Councilmember Mavity asked if staff has evaluated the collection proposals with the Climate Action Plan in mind in terms of the number of trucks on the road, participation, or other factors. She also asked if there are any opportunities for negotiations with the haulers or if the city is locked in on these proposals. Mr. Merkley stated that the city does have the opportunity to amend the contract but does not have any leverage to negotiate the proposals. Councilmember Mavity noted that she does not like the optional every other week plan, adding that the city needs to create predictability and consistency in order to get better outcomes. She stated that the city should require organics collection, adding that residents should be charged more for not participating in recycling and organics collection. She stated that this will be needed in order for the city to reach its goals in the Climate Action Plan, Mayor Spano pointed out that organics has a fairly minimal impact on greenhouse gases, so he cautioned Councilmember Mavity not to overemphasize it. Mayor Spano asked what the advantages were for a 7 versus 5 year collection contract. Mr. Merkley stated that the rates per household go down. There is a small discount in years 2-7, so the cost would be lower. Staff reviewed the policy consideration questions that they were requesting direction on: It was the consensus of the council to give staff direction to pursue optional every -other -week garbage. It was the consensus of the council not to pursue weekly recycling and to stay with every -other - week recycling. It was the consensus of the council to give staff the direction to pursue separate collection of organics and yard waste. It was the consensus of the council to authorize staff to pursue Option 1, which includes the 5 - year option, and to move forward with this plan. Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal) The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. �Ia QAAA "AA - A Melis a Kennedy, City Clerk