02-23-15 Common Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING PUBLIC HEARINGS BILL NO. 05 -15 FEBRUARY 23, 2015 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE BY THE INCLUSION OF NEW ARTICLE 12 ADDRESSING RESIDENTIAL COMPOSTING REGULATIONS AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 14 OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE BY THE INCLUSION OF NEW ARTICLE 12 ADDRESSING RESIDENTIAL COMPOSTING REGULATIONS STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT The Purdue Extension's publication Home & Environment notes that "composting is a tool" which benefits the soil and "a well- maintained compost pile can reduce the amount of yard and food waste that is sent to the landfills each year. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans produce more than four pounds of waste per person per day (or 1,600 pounds per person per year). The EPA estimates that 65 percent of that waste is organic and could be composted into a rich material that can improve the soil and enhance the growth of lawns and gardens ". This publication also noted that composing helps: • "Improved soil fertility • Improved soil structure • Improved water - holding capacity • Reduced erosion • Reduced levels of plant pathogens, insects, and weeds" The City of South Bend, Indiana, is in Region 5 of the Environmental Protection Agency programs which states on their website located at httv://www.epa.p-ov/region5/waste/solidwaste/coml)ost that "Region 5 has supported the following activities to help reduce the amount of food and yard waste that needs to be disposed of, and develop markets for compost" which included municipal composting initiatives and grants, webinars, and workshops. The Common Council desires to encourage composting as well as sustainable living while preserving the quality of life in all residential neighborhoods. In furthering the health and public safety of our residents by encouraging composting which benefits soil health, conserves water and helps the environment, all composting conducted in residential neighborhoods must be free from rodents, animal harborage, and odors. The following residential composting regulations are believed to be in the best interests of the City of South Bend, Indiana. �mvzcrGafII,e'9i1y oo ��/.ic�n2 a6�llo�u<s Section I. Chapter 14 of the South Bend Municipal Code is hereby amended by the inclusion of new Article 12 which shall read in its entirety as follows: Residential Composting Regulations Ordinance Page 2