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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil.Minutes.09-16-1993.Special 230 Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Special $@SSIOCI September 16 1 g 93 SLL.13703 SPECIAL SESSION - SEPTEMBER 16, 1993 Council convened in a joint special session with the Solid Waste Task Force on Thursday, September 16, 1993, at 7:30 p.m. Council Members Melvin Gateley, Melvin Kasten, David Limbaugh, Doug Richards, and Mary Wulfers were present. Mayor Francis E. Rhodes and A1 M. Spradling III were absent. J. Ronald Fisher, City Manager, announced that Doug Leslie, Public Works Director, will be appointed Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director effective October 1, 1993. Mr. Doug Leslie explained that this meeting is to discuss the impact of Subtitle D under the Resource Conversation and Recovery Act (RCRA) established approxitnately 20 years. He began by presenting a video that described Subtitle D and its regulations by using three case studies. Under Subtitle D, the following regulations will be effective October 9, 1993: 1. Landfills restricted near airports, wetlands, floodplains and unstable areas. 2. Household hazardous waste must no longer be deposited in landfills. 3. All landfills must have a cover applied to them daily. 4. Open burning is no longer permitted. 5. Methane gas release must be controlled. 6. Landfill must meet criteria design. 7. Groundwater has to be monitored (phased in from 1994-1996). 8. Landfill must be monitored for 30 years after closure. 9. Owner/operator must show financial assurance to pay for closure and post closure. 10. The community is responsible for all solid waste even if hauled away. The following options are available if a landfill is kept open: 1. Join a public/private partnership landfill operation. 2. Join a regional landfill. 3. Continue to operate and upgrade landfill to meet Subtitle D regulations. Mr. Leslie explained that the city hired Burns & McDonnell Engineers to prepare a closure plan for the city's landfill, which must be approved by DNR. Mr. Rick Roberts, Burns & McDonnell, explained the highlights of the closure plan. Under Subtitle D, if a landfill is closed prior to October 9, 1993, the only provision that has to be met is to place a final cover on the landfill. Currently the State of Missouri is pursuing to be a qualif'ied state, but so far has not been successful. Under Missouri regulations, each city is responsible for the landfill for 30 years after closure and must address each of the following issues: final cover, leachate after closure, gas migration, maintenance of vegetation, and prevention of erosion. 231 Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Special $@SSIOtI September 16 1993 SLL.13703 Final Cover: In June, 1990, the city received approval for a 500 foot vertical expansion at the landfill; however, this elevation will not be met prior to closure. Therefore, the closure plan will have to be modified. Approximately 25,000 cubic feet will need to be acquired for cover material. Leachate After Closure: In 1986 the city put in a leachate collection system and holding pond, and under post-closure plans, the city will have to maintain the system and dispose of the liquid in the pond. Gas Migration: In 1980 gas monitoring wells were installed. In 1992 the Clean Air Act was updated to regulate gas emissions, and was retroactive to all landfills that took solid waste after 1987. At post closure the gas production issue will have to be addressed. Mr. Roberts recommended that the city proceed with acquiring a buffer area of 100 feet along the edge of the property line to help deal with future regulations regarding gas migration. Mr. Roberts explained that the city has six months from October 8 to complete the fmal cover and all other work required. On 7uly 27, 1993, EPA proposed a rule to extend the deadline to April 9, 1994, and to extend the closure period for one year so the summer construction season could be utilized. However, the State is not recommending this delay. The cost of closure is estimated at $657,000, of which $237,000 is for a gas migration system. The post closure annual cost will be $56,000 for the next 30 years. This figure includes the acquisition of additional land. Mr. Fischer stated that the City Council has to approve the submittal of the closure plan to EPA, and then the City will have to work out the financing. Possibly the city could combine a PFA bond sell to take care of the landfill closure and other capital projects. In addition, solid rates may be affected depending on the length of the financing. If financed for 10 to 20 years, this will not have a significant impact on solid waste rates. They may have to be increased approximately $.28 up to $1.00 per month. . Mr. Leslie reported that the Regional Solid Waste District is studying the possibility of a regional landfill. They are working on what to do with small cities that are being forced to close their landfills, including the possibility of building a regional transfer station. In addition, the city could possibly allow some of these small cities to use its transfer station until a regional station is built. Regarding the solid waste hauling services contract, Mr. Leslie explained that this will be put out for bid next week, and the City Council will review the bids in November. A clause has been put into the contract that if a regional landfill is built, the city has the option to terminate the contract and take its solid waste to the regional landfill. 232 Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. S�ecial S@SS1011 SeDtember 16 19 �� 13703 Mary Ellen Klein, Environmental Services Coordinator, reported on the status of the city's recycling program. Two additional buildings have been built at the recycling center, one for unloading and one for storage. A city-wide educational program will be implemented in the near future. The reduction in solid waste to date is approximately 14 percent. With yard waste added, this figure would increase to 20 percent. They are looking for a market for magazines and gray board. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Francis E. Rhodes, Mayor „ . ayle L. onrad, Deputy City Clerk 233 Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Session 19 SLL.13703 TIiIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFr BLANK