HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 08-09-2011 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
August 9, 2011
Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 5:00 p.m. in the
Medicine Lake Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on August 9, 2011.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Bildsoe, Black, Murdock, Willis, and
Johnson.
ABSENT: Councilmember Stein.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Park Director Evans, Administrative Services
Director Portner, Public Works Director Cote, Transit and Solid Waste Manager Hellekson, and
City Clerk Engdahl.
Discussion of Recycling Proposals
Mayor Slavik stated the City is in receipt of proposals from Waste Management and Allied Waste
Services for comprehensive municipal recycling services and would be receiving presentations
from both vendors this evening.
Jennefer Klennert, Municipal Market Manager for Waste Management, provided an overview of
their proposals and their services that their company provides. She discussed the proposals that
they submitted which were:
1. 10 -year option for single sort recycling. Years 1 and 3 are service as is with weekly,
single sort recycling in a bin. Years 4 through 10 are every other week, single sort
recycling in a cart.
2. 7 -year option for single sort recycling. Every other week single sort recycling in a cart.
Proposal includes the entire City changing to every other week single sort.
3. 3 -year option for single sort recycling. Leaving the service as is using the bin system.
She noted that according to the last survey, 63% of the residents opposed an every other week
pickup. She discussed the implementation of compressed natural gas for their vehicles which is
more environmentally friendly than diesel fuel. She stated that there would be a 3% cost increase
every year with all three proposals.
By request of Councilmember Black, she briefly discussed organic recycling, education efforts,
and use of local markets. Regarding organic recycling, she stated they are at a wait and see
approach for the processing capability. They are strictly doing it in open market communities.
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Adopted Minutes 1 of 3 Special Meeting of August 9, 2011
Regarding education, they have done extensive education with single sort cart system. They
typically do an annual mailer to customers, but they haven't done that in Plymouth as that isn't
required in the current contract. She noted that it was an oversight on her part to not include in
their proposals their educational program and any costs associated with it. However, there would
be a cost to the City for any mailings that would go to residents.
Lastly, regarding selling recyclable materials on the markets, they use some markets outside of
Minnesota. They don't keep everything domestic and local. She stated they do use the
international market to get the best price available.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated that he supports converting to a cart system. The challenge will
be to get the residents to go that system sooner.
Ms. Klennert stated when communities convert to a cart system, they typically see 10 pounds
more of recycling per household per month. However, Plymouth is at a high recycling rate, so
there will be an increase, but probably not at that amount.
Councilmember Willis asked what's included in their processing fees. Ms. Klennert replied the
fees are to process and separate to final market.
Rich Hirstein, Senior Area Municipal Services Manager for Allied Waste Services, provided an
overview of the 7 -year single sort car system proposal that they submitted. He stated they
implemented the cart system in Maple Grove, and they increased their recycling 954 tons in the
first year. He noted that in Plymouth, currently 78% of the households recycle. He explained
their education effort which includes labels on the containers instructing residents on how to
recycle, materials for residents' homes such as calendars for their refrigerators, and visits to the
elementary schools to promote recycling with youth. He stated they can launch their educational
component in three to four months. Unlike Waste Management, there are no costs to the City for
their educational program.
He stated they currently do organic waste recycling. They make pickups at restaurants and large
commercial buildings. They transport everything they can to the local markets so there are no
shipping costs. He stated they have 221 different domestic markets that they sell the products to.
If they are awarded the contract, they would be adding plastics No's. 3-7 so virtually every type
of plastic can be recycled. Regarding revenue sharing, they would give the City 100% over the
life of the 7 -year contract.
Councilmember Willis asked how their processing fees can be higher than Waste Management's.
Mr. Hirstein replied that's because they're giving 100% back in revenue sharing to the City.
Public Works Director Cote compared the revenue sharing between Waste Management and
Allied Waste. Allied Waste's proposal is better for anything up to $35,000 and anything over
70,000. Overall, the revenue sharing from Allied Waste is better economically for the City.
Adopted Minutes 2 of 3 Special Meeting of August 9, 2011
Councilmember Bildsoe asked if Allied Waste is a viable vendor. Public Works Director Cote
replied yes.
Mayor Slavik stated she supports a wheeled cart system with the pickup days remaining the same
for residents.
Paul Koenig, from Hennepin County Environmental Services and resident of Plymouth, stated
they initially see an 8%-10% increase in recycling when a single stream recycling program is
implemented. He stated single stream with wheeled carts is the way of the future. Eventually,
there will be an organic cart and a smaller garbage can. The City needs to encourage residents to
recycle.
Councilmember Bildsoe reiterated that he supports a cart system. After reviewing all proposals,
he suggested the City enter into a contract with Allied Waste for a 7 -year single sort cart system
beginning in January 2012.
Councilmember Black stated that she also supports Allied Waste's proposal. She agreed with
Koenig's comment that the City needs to do better in encouraging residents to recycle.
Counciimembers Murdock and Johnson and Mayor Slavik indicated their support for Allied
Waste's proposal.
The Council directed staff to prepare a 7 -year contract with Allied Waste for recycling services
for a single sort cart system beginning in January 2012. This item would be a placed on a future
Council agenda for consideration.
Future Study Sessions
By request of Councilmember Black, the Council moved the joint meeting that was scheduled
with PACT on September 13 at 6:00 p.m. to September 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Adjournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
andra R. Engdahl, NAVOerek
Adopted Minutes 3 of 3 Special Meeting of August 9, 2011