HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11-30-2009 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
November 30, 2009
Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. in the
Medicine Lake Conference Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on November 30, 2009.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Black, Murdock, Stein, Willis, Johnson,
and Bildsoe.
ABSENT: None.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE: Chair Osborn, Commissioners Pellinger,
Kendrick, Johnson, Gutierrez, and Zieska.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, City Engineer Moberg, Public Works Director Cote,
Water Resources Manager Asche, and City Clerk Engdahl.
Joint Meeting with the Environmental Quality Committee
Water Resources Engineer Asche led the Council and EQC on a discussion of the proposed 2010
Work Plan on a month -by -month basis. Of the proposed work plan, the majority of the
discussion centered around May where it was proposed that the EQC would review solid waste
and recycling, organics collection, trash hauler licensing Ordinance review, organized trash
collection, and the recycling contract. The Council questioned what the EQC's intentions are in
these areas.
Chair Osborne stated they would be requesting an update from Transit and Solid Waste Manager
Hellekson on what the Council's intentions are for recycling (extend the contract that expires
December 31, 2010 or seek requests for proposals). They would look at organic recycling as that
doesn't fall under solid waste and see what kid of bins and contractors are available for that
initiative. They would look at reviewing organized trash collection. Lastly, with the trash hauler
license ordinance, they would request an update on what is being proposed from Transit and
Solid Waste Manager Hellekson.
Councilmember Willis stated he doesn't want the Council to be in the same situation as last time
when organized trash collection was discussed, but rather the residents need to be educated first.
Commissioner Pellinger stated their intent is to explore options and receive recommendations
from staff.
Adopted Minutes 1 of 3 Special Meeting of November 30, 2009
Public Works Director Cote stated that the possibly the summer of 2010, the cities of New Hope,
Golden Valley, and Plymouth will be looking at organized collection, recycling, and organic
collection through a survey. The cost of this survey would be shared amongst the three cities.
Councilmember Johnson stated that she would like to see the mindset of citizens and support the
consensus through education. That information could be shared with the EQC.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated that he would rather have feedback from the survey first rather
than discussing those items first.
Councilmember Black stated since the recycling contract expires December 31, 2009, if the
Council decides to prepare a request for proposal, that needs to be out in April as companies
would need to have personnel and equipment in place by January 1, 2011. Therefore, her
perspective is that this task should be completed in January 2010.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated looking at the method of collection, bin size, etc. he doesn't feel
recycling needs to be on the work plan, and it's more contractual versus the method.
Councilmember Murdock stated she isn't anxious to take on organized trash collection at this
time, but she is interested in seeing the benefit of organic collection. She supports the survey that
will be done next summer as the cities will get a feeling what residents desire.
Commissioners Zieska, Pellinger, Kendrick and Gutierrez stated the commission's concern is
communication to the residents. They stated the commission's request is not more than getting a
report on how much is being collected, percentage of residents participating, tons hauled, etc.
For the commission, it's the educational component. The EQC is just a little unclear on the
direction from the Council.
Councilmember Stein agreed that the data is educational, and he agrees with the other
Councilmembers' comments. Once a report is generated, that can be studied.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated these work plans aren't informational, but it's more of an action
standpoint.
Councilmember Black voiced her frustration that the work plan for the EQC is reviewing updates
from staff on various topics/issues throughout the year. She stated the Council isn't using these
committee members to their full potential.
Councilmember Johnson stated that this is about managing expectations and process, and the
Council needs to be clear what they expect from the EQC. The EQC should be making
recommendations to the Council.
Councilmember Bildsoe agreed and stated the only question he had was on the work plan in the
solid waste and recycling areas.
Adopted Minutes 2 of 3 Special Meeting of November 30, 2009
The Council requested that the description of this item be "review report on solid waste and
recycling collection" so it's more clear what the expectations are for the EQC regarding these
items.
The Council thanked the EQC for meeting with them to discuss the work plan.
Board and Commission Interviews
The Council conducted the board and commission interviews and directed staff to prepare
resolutions approving appointments to boards and commissions as well as the Council
Coordinating Representatives and other agencies for the December 8 Council agenda.
Adjournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at approxi - ately 8:40 p.m.
Sandra R. Engdahl, Cio Clerk
Adopted Minutes 3 of 3 , Special Meeting of November 30, 2009