HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24-15 UtilitiesUTILITIES AUGUST 24, 2015 4:10 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic (XAB), Dr. Fred Ferlic,
Derek Dieter
Citizen Members Present: Kathleen Petitjean (AB), Jack Smith
Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis, Valerie Schey (XAB), Oliver Davis,
Karen White
Others Present: Eric Horvath, Kara Boyles, Brian Pawlowski, Becky Kaiser
Agenda: Bill No. 25 -15 Amend SBMC Chapter 16 —Providing Yard
Waste Containers in City
Bill No. 26 -15 Amend SBMC Chapter 16 — Adjust Fees for City
Collection and Disposal of Refuse (Solid Waste)
Materials
With a quorum present Chairman Dr. David Varner opened the Utilities Committee meeting. There
were two bills on the agenda. The first bill 25 -15 initiated by the City would require yard waste removal
solely from City furnished containers. In a previous Utilities Committee meeting the Department of
Public Works had expresses an openness to the use of City approves containers purchased by customers
on their own. Consensus for keeping a weekly pick -up and a once a month "special" on -call pick up had
been agreed upon.
Before taking additional public or Council input Dr. Varner announced that final consideration of the bill
would be continued until the meeting on October 26th. This continuance would allow plenty of time for
the City to incorporate any changes agrees upon by the Council.
Dr. Varner solicited Council comment first. Derek Dieter led off voicing support for the continuance of a
weekly pick -up. Oliver Davis asked if other pick -up approaches were considered. Eric Horvath replied
saying comparisons among other cities service levels and rates were problematic in trying to compare
apples to apples; but in doing so South Bend stood up well in comparisons.
Turning to the public, for comment, Becky Kaiser led off asking what occurs when you have more yard
waste than fits in the container?
Eric Horvath reiterated the City will allow a free extra pick up once a month. Chris Huff asked of the
Releaf program would continue and if so at .99 cents per month. Eric said it would continue; but was
unclear about the rate or whether it would continue as a separate charge on the water bill. Valerie
Schey said the water bill should delineate all charges.
Dr. Varner moved the discussion to bill 26 -15, also initiated by the City, which requests a change in rates
for solid waste collection. As with the previous bill, Dr. Varner said this meeting was to solicit input with
final action to be continued until October 261h as well. He went on to say the one -pick up per week on a
scheduled day by one collector was for better than the old system of having each homeowner contract
separately. Councilmembers Derek Dieter, Karen White and Dr. Fred Ferlic voiced support for the
current system as long as our rates compare favorably with other cities. Citizen Chris Huff echoed their
sentiment.
In the few minutes remaining Dr. Varner commented on the storm /sanitary sewer separation mandated
by the EPA. He said that the Council may mandate downspout cut -offs for those currently being
discharged into the storm sewers. Eric Horvath agreed; but cautioned only about 5% of households do
this.
Dr. Varner adjourned the meeting at 4:35 P.M
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. David Varner, Chairperson
Utilities Committee