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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES.777.12-21-1992 BILL NO. 92-280 RESOLUTION NO. j� i A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY OF CAPE GIRARDEAU SOLID WASTE SERVICES REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS, DATED DECEMBER 3 , 1992, PREPARED BY THE SOLID WASTE TASK FORCE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS: ARTICLE l. The City Council of the City of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, hereby approves the City of Cape Girardeau Solid Waste Services Report and Recommendations, dated December 3 , 1992 , prepared by the Solid Waste Task Force, consisting of Calvin Chapman, Chairman, Loretta Schneider, Steve Overmann, Richmond Payne, Kathleen Ruopp, Vincent Seyer, Robert Herbst, Jean Simpson and Sarah Holt. A copy of said Report and Recommendation is attached to this Resolution and made a part hereof. 1 PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS � DAY OF /�'('t?rti+�,'"� , 19�. Francis E. Rhodes, ayor ATTEST: � ' � , id{ /' /�• .;�, L Gayl ' L. Conrad, Deputy City Clerk . .. _ , CIT'Y OF CAPE GIRARDEAU SOLID 1VASTE SERVICES Prepared by: Appointed Solid Waste Task Force Calvin Chapman, Chairman Loretta Schneider Steve Overmann Richmond Payne Kathleen Ruopp Vincent Seyer Robert Herbst Jean Simpson Sarah Holt December 3 , 1992 - i - Upon appointment by the City Council, this Solid Waste Task Force has looked into key solid waste issues that face the citizens of Cape Girardeau. The overall goal of this committee was to look at and assess the possibilities of volume-based pricing for solid waste services. The committee began meeting on July 16, 1992, and had a total of eleven meetings to discuss the different alternatives. They also toured City solid waste facilities and the City's collection program. In most of the U.S. -garbage is removed once or twice a week with funding coming from some portion of property taxes or from fixed user fees. In both the tax and user fee systems, mandatory versus voluntary recycling is not a key factor. Without a variable pricing mechanism in place for nonrecyclable waste pickup, neither arrangement creates an economic incentive for residents to recycle or reduce their waste. The deficiencies of property tax and fixed user fee arrangements are why "Pay as you throw" waste fee systems have become more popular in recent years. With volume based pricing, residents who practice waste source reduction, backyard composting, and recycling receive a clear reward--lower rates--for doing so. Waste "watchers" do not subsidize waste "hogs" through the waste pricing mechanism. Finally, volume based pricing systems can be accepted fairly readily by consumers since they are similar to utility pricing mechanisms already in place for gas, electric, water and sewer, and telephone services. - 2 - Several options were put on the table for discussion, which included establishment of a base rate with an additional charge per bag for each bag of trash disposed of with unlimited recycling. Different variations of the base rate were considered with the staff's input on revenues necessary to maintain a self-sufficient operation. Other community programs were looked at and discussed. All the pros and cons were discussed with a basic conclusion that at this time three cans or bags per week limit with unlimited recycling was the best solution for the residents of Cape Girardeau. However, it should be anticipated that within the next two years as costs increase the number of bags will be reduced in an effort to contain the costs to the residents and to provide an economic incentive for waste reduction through recycling, composting, etc. , due to the mandates of Senate Bill 530 . With this program we would also like to recommend a provision that additional bags or cans be disposed of weekly through the purchase of special bags. These bags will be sold locally at a cost of $2 .00 each at this time. With advanced notice to the community, the proposed change would begin as close to January l, 1993 as possible. With the change we would also recommend that crews collect onlv three bags or cans. The bag and can size limitation of not more then 32 gallons or 75 pounds will remain the same. However, each smaller bag and/or can will be counted as one. In addition to continuing these services, the Task Force agreed that the City is currently offering a number of services to the citizens that are not always made aware to the public. These - 3 - services include spring and fall cleanup week; special event collection, i .e. fair, air show, circus, etc; fall leaf collection; Wednesday special collections; lugger collections, Christmas tree collections; extra waste containers at the recycling center; and curbside recycling. In addition, the Task Force recommends that the City look into the possibility of providing on a pay for service basis additional services of waste disposal which can include brush collection and disposal, additional items to be recycled such as tin cans, and any other possible �waste disposal projects. To further encourage recycling, and for public convenience, the Task Force recommends that the recycling drop off center on Broadview be open on Saturday mornings in addition to its regular hours. Other services the City should be pursuing in an effort to assist with the current programs and services should include a city-wide education campaign which will allow the public to understand the benefits of recycling as well as the problems in solid waste disposal. This education campaign should not be limited to only the staff but rather involve other organizations within the City to help promote and educate the public. The city- wide education program is necessary in order to meet the mandates passed down from the State to cities through Senate Bill 530. In conclusion, the Task Force feels the City is operating a cost-effective and efficient operation and would recommend that the city continue with the solid waste service and not bid out to private haulers at this time. It is also our recommendation that , . � • � - 4 - the Solid Waste Task Force be continued into the future to help assist with education, future mandates which include elimination of household hazardous waste, and to assist with the development and recommendations towards future solid waste disposal issues, which may include landfill development, effects of Subtitle D, and district coordination. Following is a summation of the conclusions made by the Solid Waste Task Force. 1. "Base Rate" of $10.54 per month for three containers of trash and unlimited recycling each week. This price covers the average home. 2 . Pay additional charge for extra bags. Additional charge to be $2 .00 per bag in excess of three. Strictly enforce three bag limit as soon as possible after January l, 1993 . Within the next two years, as the price increases for trash services, the number of bags would be reduced from 3 . 3 . Specify services offered by the City. 4. City continue to operate the solid waste service and not bid it out to private haulers. 5. Specify commercial services and charges. 6. Provide city-wide education, including a video of current system. 7 . City review upcoming issues regarding household hazardous waste problems and regulations that will be implemented January, 1994 , under Senate Bill 530 .