10-22-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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5 IICOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) machines and talked about the fine imposed by the burning of leaves, indicating that he felt it wa way out of proportion. He quoted from a letter written by a Notre Dame football fan about the running of the buses at the football games. He felt that some of the poorer taxpayers were being "put up against the wall ". Mr. Slake talked about the time when he had been an employee of the Street Department and the experiences he had had with leaf pickup. Mayor Miller indicated that it was important that many people did not remember that the present administration had cut a great deal of money from the budget that was being wasted. He explained that some cities have put this type of program entirely on the tax base. He stated that, if additional equipment is purchased, the taxpayers would have to pay for it. Regarding the leaf pickup, the Mayor explained that the city would provide the service at no additional cost to the taxpayer. In some areas, there were problems because of the great number of trees. He stated that a great deal'depends on the weather which must be taken into consideration also. He stated that the city was not amending the county ordinance, and indicated that the County Commissioners have jurisdiction over all places in the City of South Bend as far as industrial burning and fireplace burning. He indicated that leaf burning was a concern for people with heart and lung diseases. The problem was very complicated, and he indicated that the city was trying to come up with a solution. He felt the leaf pick -up program was the best solution and felt it would be successful. He mentioned that a study was bein made on the compost of the leaves and the role the Sanitation Department played. Mr. Slake indica that, as far as the increase in taxes for the additional equipment, he wanted to see consideration given to the senior citizens. Mr. Howard Emmons, 2627 East.McKinley, felt that one way to save taxes was to allow the burning or leaves. He stated that he had approximately four acres of land and a great number of oak trees. He had not been able to find anyone that could pulverize the oak leaves. He wondered how much pollution there would really be if the leaves were burned and there was not much smoke. He stated that, if the leaves are dry, there is mostly heat and not pollution. He wondered if this was a detriment to the health of the people. He hoped that there would be some kind of relief given. He felt the Street Department had enough work to do. He was hopeful a solution could be found, possibly allowing burning for a few days each year. Ms. Kelly Kelsey, 1015 Hudson Avenue, repre- senting the "Protect Our Planet" group, indicated that she considered it a waste to be back again before the Council on the same subject as last year. She stated that environmentalists have given reasons for supporting the ban on leaf burning. She urged passage of the ordinance and indicated that the quality of life would be improved for the whole population and the total environment. Mrs. Judy Olson, 1541 Vernerlee Lane, representing the League oz women voters anu the tuuer.Lvall Association of University Women, indicated that her group supported the proposed leaf burning ban. They felt clean air was a necessity in order to provide the maximum protection to the health and property of the citizens. She felt the leaf collection proposal was a good alternative plan and appeared quite feasible. Mr. Don Linger, 15595 Winding Brook Drive, Mishawaka, spoke on behalf of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He spoke on air pollution, the proposed ordinance and the burning of leaves. He referred to a graph regarding leaf burning and the concentration in the air during burning periods. He urged that the Council ban the open burning of leaves. He indicate that, between the period of October 15 to November 15 and the period of 30 days following, it had been proven that the air was not clean. He was referring. to an air quality test conducted at the Notre Dame Sampling Station in 1971. Mr. John Poorbaugh, 3512 Oakcrest Drive, stated that the leaves the people were dealing with were black oak leaves and were not mulchable. He stated that the Science Coordinator for the South Bend Schools indicated that there was very little pollution when burning dry leaves. He stated that he was an ecology teacher at LaSalle High School. He wondered what percent of air pollution was caused by leaf burning. He felt that disposal of leave: by collection was not the solution. He then quoted from the August issue of the Consumer Bulletin regarding a situation in New Jersey and the affect the leaves have on water and the water supply. He stated that the leaves give off an acid which is taken into the water. He felt that the ground and water was just as important as the air. He stated that the most practical method of disposing of the leaves would be a period in the spring and fall for burning. Mr. Fred Wilson, 4701 Fellows Road, indicated that there has always been a problem with leaf and snow removal. He stated that those persons with large lots and many trees do have a problem. He suggested that the Mayor's pro- gram be followed with the pickup of the leaves; however, that a specific period of time in the spring and fall be allowed for burning leaves. He felt that, if the Mayor's program worked, then there could be a ban imposed on the burning of leaves. Mrs. Connie Green, 3217 Dunham Street, indicated that she lived in the inner city and there were not many trees in that area. She oppose( leaf burning because of the pollution it caused, but she indicated support of leaf burning for tho! persons who could not afford the bagging. She asked about the pollution caused by the industries and factories within the city. She stated that those factories have not been controlled. Mr. Jac) Miller, Vice President of the Civic Planning Association, indicated that pollution should be elimi- nated and the city had made efforts to control the problem. He stated that the association felt a two -week period in the spring and fall should be allowed until successful collection of the leaves is achieved. Dr. Helen Calvin, 103 South Eddy Street, referred to the March 13, 1973, edition of the Chicago Tribune regarding air pollution. She stated that science has learned much about the pollution caused by nature and not by man. The rotting of leaves on the ground produces gases as in burning. She expressed concern about this. She indicated that she had read studies but was not aware of how harmful this would be. She stated that homeowners produce 3% of the total air pollu- tion and 60% of the pollution is caused by nature. She wondered how nature could be stopped. She indicated that she had written to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding this matter. They had replied that, during the last 10 years, there were only 10 potentially hazardous days of air pollution in the Michiana area. She stated that that only amounted to one day per year. She felt the freedom of choice was being taken away from the citizens. She stated that it had been proven that cigarette smoking was far worse. She asked what department of the administration defended the rights of the citizens to freedom of choice. Councilman Miller replied that the Common Council wa; that body. Mrs. Lee Swan, 2022 Swygart, indicated that the problem comes up every year and there never appears to be a solution to the problem. Last year, she indicated that there had been a great problem with the bagging of leaves. She felt that, until there was a solution, the citizens should be allowed to burn the leaves for certain periods of time. She also stated that, if the Environmental Protection Agency would enforce laws against burning of other materials, this would not be a problem. She indicated that, at one time, leaf burning was very common. She felt the industries have put the chemical garbage into the air. Ms. Kathy Kline, 1735 Bergan Drive, a registered nurse, spoke against the burning of leaves. She indicated that she supported the Mayor proposed ordinance and stated that air pollution correlates with heart and lung disease. She indicated that leaf burning was only one contributor, but it should be taken seriously. She urged the Council to vote in favor of the ordinance. Mrs. Ann Wlodarski, 1869 Riverside Drive, expresses her feelings, indicating that she was in favor of a period of leaf burning for the citizens. She