City of Lawrence                                        

Solid Waste Task Force

December 12, 2011 (6:00 PM) Meeting Minutes

Jayhawk Room, Fire-Medical Administration Building, 1911 Stewart Avenue

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mayor Aron Cromwell, Billy Beeson, Suzi Cammon, Joe Harkins, Charlie Sedlock, Jeff Severin, Christine Tomlin, Dan Wethington

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Daniel Poull, Sam Porritt, Ralph Reed

 

STAFF PRESENT:

David Corliss, Tammy Bennett, Michael Eglinski, Megan Gilliland, Eileen Horn, Craig Pruett, Kathy Richardson, Chuck Soules

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Tom Coffman, Paul Davis, Kris Hicks, Chad Lawhorn

 

 

CALL MEETING TO ORDER – Mayor Aron Cromwell  

 

REVIEW AND APPROVE MEETING MINUTES

 

Motion and second to approve the November 16, 2011 meeting minutes (Cromwell / Beeson).   Vote was passed unanimously. 7-0

 

VARIABLE RATE PRICING, CONTINUED

 

The task force continued discussion of variable rate pricing from the November meeting.  Kathy Richardson provided a matrix, as requested, with additional information on programs in Boise, Idaho, Gainsville, Florida, and Olathe, Kansas.  The matrix provided blanks for Lawrence, as an opportunity for task force members to consider decision points in developing the Lawrence program. 

 

The task force previously voted to include a recommendation on implementation of a variable rate structure.  There was discussion about the level of specificity that needed to be included in the initial recommendations from the task force.  Members would like residential trash, yard trimming collection, and the addition of curbside recycling, in a price range of approximately $19 to $20 per month.  

 

There was discussion about the possibility of providing trash containers, which will aid in overall automation, without increasing rates.  The City Auditor shared information received on workers’ compensation savings in Olathe when the system was fully automated.  While there is an initial outlay for the containers, savings will eventually off-set those costs.

 

The collective vision of the task force is that there would be two carts (one trash, one recycling) as part of the base rate.   A household could switch to a larger trash container for a slightly higher monthly fee.  An additional container would be available for a small fee to cover container cost and the additional landfill fees.  Bulk items and tires would continue to be collected for no additional fee, but the division would tighten the regulations for when additional fees for excess trash would be charged (such as accumulations that take one person more than 5 minutes to load).  The system would be evaluated for two to three years to determine if more complex variable rate pricing components are needed.

 

Other issues for continued evaluation include focus on product stewardship (e.g., manufacturers’ taking responsibility for end-of-useful-life product management), electronics management, and providing a web resource for citizens to search by type of materials to learn all community disposal options.

 

 

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM REVIEW

 

Kathy Richardson’s presentation on the Household Hazardous Waste Program outlined the costs and operations of the Household Hazardous Waste and Business Hazardous Waste programs.  Based on questions from task force members, the following items were noted:

·                                Staff experience is that most citizens really like the appointment system

·                                Approximately 14 to 15 percent of participants are from Douglas County, but information is not available on the pounds of waste from county residents

·                                Long-range perspective may consider relocating facility adjacent to other staffed functions

·                                Marketing and education need to be a focus for this program area

 

 

NEXT STEPS AND FUTURE MEETINGS

 

Mayor Cromwell stated that before the meeting on January 5, 2012, the task force should receive and review the rough draft of the full task force report.  Task force members will be prepared for full review of the document on January 5th.

 

Mayor Cromwell recommends that January 19th be the last meeting regular task force meeting.

 

There was discussion among task force members about the process public input and comment and the production of a summary of recommendations that could be publicized to get feedback. 

 

 

Date

Topics

Thursday,

January 5, 2012

Location: Jayhawk Room, 1911 Stewart Avenue.

Review new draft report à 

Thursday,

January 19, 2012

Location: Jayhawk Room, 1911 Stewart Avenue.

Discussion on recommendations.

 

 

 

Adjourned at 8:19 p.m.