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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-22-87 Public Works Ohinwitttnn Report PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Mu tat QInmawn QIounttl of tar (Mg of 1004 ilrttit The October 22 , 1987 meeting of the Public Works Committee was called to order by its Chairman, Councilman Thomas Zakrzewski at 4 : 00 p .m. , in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included, Councilmen : Voorde , Zakrzewski, Taylor, Puzzello , Serge , Braboy and Beck; John Leszczynski, Bob Kruszynski, Tony Cana, Mrs . Wiseman, Winefred Madlem, and Mr. Madlem of 1918 E. Ewing Avenue, members of the news media and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilman Zakrzewski noted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the city' s charge for surplus trash removal . . He specif- ically noted that he disagreed with the South Bend Tribune , that the meeting was not called to look into the incident regarding Councilman Beck' s mother. However it was to review the overall procedures being used by the Bureau of Solid Wastes , and to re- view specific instances with regard to surplus trash removal . Councilman Zakrzewski then called upon the City Engineer, John Leszczynski, to review the city' s policy. Mr. Leszczynski in turn called upon Tony Cana to describe the procedure in place . • Tony noted that once the department receives a call for extra trash removal, a quote is given if requested. He would go out and give a price. He noted that the charge is eight dollars and fifty cents ($8. 50) for the first item, and three dollars and fifty cents ($3.50) for each item thereafter. Mr. Leszczynski • noted that the first two appliances are free. Mr. Bob Kruszynski then made available nine (9) route books which show the compactors and the specific locations used to pick up surplus trash. He noted that each of the route books showed all of the free pick ups involved . It was noted that loose material and debris would require a special charge. Typically, special crews are utilized on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Councilman Zakrzewski noted from one of the route books, that three couches and two chairs were picked up by the city with no additional charge being made to the homeowner. Mr. Leszczynski noted that the cost involves the work, time , and • equipment used, and would be billed in the next billing cycle after the trash was removed. Mr. Leszczynski then reviewed a chart entitled,"Pick-me-up-Pro- gram". The chart listed services rendered in the trash removal program from January 1986 through September 1987. It showed that during this period of time, there were six thousand nine hundred and thirty seven (6 , 937) pick-ups , and six hundred and eighteen pick-ups (618) were billed. He noted that the money nu ►R[.. Puett.MIMO CO. Public Works Committee Minutes/October 21 , 1987 Page 2 goes into the Solid Waste General Fund. He noted that the low charge would be eight dollars and fifty cents ($8 .50) with the high being one hundred and twenty five dollars ($125 . 00) , and that the average charge of the six hundred and eighteen (618). billed pick-ups was fifteen dollars and eighty two cents ( $15 .82) . A total of nine thousand seven hundred and seventy six dollars and fifty cents ($9, 776.50) has been billed during this period of time. The chart also noted that ninety one point ten percent (99. 10%) of all trash pick-ups have been free. It was noted that the supervisor determines what extra equipment will go to a trash pick-up sight . It was also noted that between six hundred to eight hundred customers are on each route. Mr. Leszczynski noted that the goal is to pick up as quickly as possible, with the least convenience to the homeowner. Upon questioning by the Council Attorney, Mr. Leszczynski confirmed that the city does utilize a "shut-off" procedure if a homeowner fails to pay his trash pick-up charge. Councilman Beck stated that in August , she got a call stating that Tony Cana said that the charge would be between seventy, eighty or ninety dollars. She then in turn called Bob Kruszynski with re- gard to the quoted charge. Mr. Kruszynski and Councilman Beck disagreed with regard to the actual conversation that took place. Mrs. Wiseman stated that in July, she was told by Tony, that if she waited there would be no charge for the first pick-up of the various surplus trash items. In light of that , she waited and was not billed in her next billing cycle from the city. Tony noted that he does all billings and that because he was on vacation, th e. billings for Mrs. Wiseman for the two trash pick-ups came within one billing cycle and were not staggered. Councilman Beck then showed pictures of where the debris had been placed before the city . picked up the trash material . She noted that the grass had been damaged , however, was not making claim to the city for repairing the grass , even though the city had made such an offer. Mr. & Mrs. Madlem, of 1918 East Ewing, stated that they had called the city to pick up a refrigerator and water softener, and that there was no charge for this pick-up by the city. On a second occassion, they called the city to have small car parts picked-up and were informed that the cost would be twenty dollars ($20 .00) . They questioned why the city changed its :policy without letting the public know. The Madlem' s stated that the car parts in ques- tion included two doors , and part of a top of an MG, which were cut down so that they could be easily picked up by the city. The Public Works Committee Minutes/October 21 , 1987 Page 3 Madlem' s eventually removed the trash items in question, by them- selves , and did not use the city' s service. Councilman Beck then passed out a listing of what was included in the second pick up at Mrs. Wiseman' s home, which differed from what was in the log book maintained by the city. Tony. Cana stated that the price is based on past experience of picking up such items . Councilman Zakrzewski again questioned how the actual charge is made , and was told by John Leszczynski that it is based on the amount of manpower, equipment , and hours. Councilman Beck noted that her eleven year old granddaughter and daughter put the items listed on the sheet , for the pick up , and purposely put them on boards to save the lawn. Councilman Beck again emphasized that the issue involved was notice to the public as to what the actual charges were, and how they are calculated. Mr. Leszczynski stated that in the program' s twenty-one month (21) duration, that they have not have many problems , and that they are currently serving over twenty-two thousand customers. Upon further questioning by the city engineer, he noted that the cost to Mrs . Wiseman was based on the actual manpower involved and the dumping fees involved. He stated that it requires two truck loads. Upon questioning from the Council Attorney, Mr. Leszczynski agreed that when the brochure was updated , that it should address how the actual charge is made for items other than appliances , and that if labor and dumping fees were the basis of the charge , that that would be addressed.. Mr. Bob Kruszynski noted that they are current- ly looking into that procedure so that it is uniform throughout the city. The Council Attorney also recommended that the City Administration review the policy with regard to shut-off notices when the trash amount of a billing was not paid. Councilman Beck then tendered a check in the amount of seventy dol- lars ($70. 00) on behalf of her mother, Mrs. Wiseman, representing full and final payment for the services rendered by the city. She again requested that she wanted the actual data used when .adding the information into the computer, and was advised that that would be given to her by Mr. Leszczynski. She also hoped that people would be truthful. Councilman Zakrzewski then asked if there were any items to be discussed under Miscellaneous Business , and was informed that Mr. Leszczynski did have a update on the Leaf Pick-Up Program. Mr. Leszczynski stated that the city would .be trying an experimental program which would differ from past practice. He suggested that homeowners bag their leaves , rather than burn them, and put them with their regular trash pick-up. He stated that the city pick-up Public Works Committee Minutes/October 21 , 1987 Page 4 service , as well as Superior Waste , would be picking up leaves along with all other trash. He also noted that the city would begin utilizing two leaf vacuums , in heavily wooded areas , typ- ically on Fridays. He noted that there would be one thousand pounds per cubic yard , and that the actual compactors would be used in the operation. Councilman Puzzello-.questioned whether infact the city was allowing residents to rake their leaves into the street , in the heavily wooded areas. Mr. Leszczynski stated that once the actual scheduling of when the leaf vacuums would be publicized , that this might be arranged , however, the residents had to be aware of public safety considerations with regard to raking leaves into a public street . Mr. Leszczynski noted that the city would only be picking up bagged leaves from city cus- tomers , and would no longer be picking them up city-wide from noncustomers. He also suggested that perhaps volunteers from the Lung Association, and other organizations, who are interested in banning leaf burning, may be able to assist in having programs to help individuals bag their leaves during the upcoming weeks. Following further discussion . by the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4 :55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Thomas Zakrzewski Chairman • /0- 2, 2 - Baby stroller handle Canvas grass catcher Flower pots Bait can 1 bag rug trimmings 1 lamp 2 coffee tables 1 TV 3 redwood slats broken in half {</ y