Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 08/22/1994PUBLIC WORKS CONIlVIITTEE AUGUST 22, 1994 PRESENT: PAUL MANN TOM BRUBAKER TIM CLARK MR & MRS RUST DON WICKSTROM ABSENT: JIM BENNETT OM , s , • Wickstrom referred to a draft contract with Kent Disposal and reminded the Committee that in April of this year they had selected Kent Disposal's R.F.P.. He stated that the yard waste program would be voluntary, however there would be a service charge. The only thing we would be doing is banning yard waste mixed with the garbage. Wickstrom explained the schedule of recycling pick up and yard waste pick up times, noting that the costs for yard waste collection would differ - March - November ($7.75/month) and December -February ($3.75/ month) with an additional $1.00/month for toter rental. In response to Mann, Wickstrom said that the customer will be charged a service fee even if the customer has nothing to be picked up. Wickstrom explained however, that the customer does have an option and that this is not a mandatory program. He said that yard waste cannot be put into the garbage container. In January yard waste will not be accepted at the landfills. He said that we have to at least provide an alternative solution for the residents. As such, King County's goal is to reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill by approximately 50% in 1995 and yard waste is a major component of residential garbage presently going to the landfill. Brubaker stated that he thought the Council had already in pricinpal, voted approval on this whole thing. Clark said that when we say 'recycling' we are looking at a different goal than the yard waste. Brubaker stated however, that the yard waste does get recycled, although the transaction is expensive. Wickstrom said that the yard waste program would be a big ticket item to us if we were to pick that up, Just to continue funding the recycling program has been a struggle out of the environmental fund. Wickstrom stated that he wanted the Committee to understand that the funding package presented is, living off the unincumbered fund balance of the environmental fund; that there are escalation clauses in the contract for this service which means that costs are going up; that over time will eat into the unincumbered balance. He also stated to totally finance the yard waste program and provide a free service would cost about one-quarter million dollars or more. Committee unanimously recommended accepting the recycling/yard waste contract; subject to the City Attorney and Public Works Director concurring on final language therein; adopting an ordinance amending the existing ordinance banning yard waste from being included in garbage and approving the funding proposal as presented. i Wickstrom stated that a pedestrian bridge overpass on James St., in the area of Kennebeck, would cost roughly about $800,000. Clark said his understanding was that the biggest cost were the ramps because of the steep grade. Clark's question was, how far up the hill do we need to go to reduce the cost. wckstrom said that he will bring back additional information at the next committee meeting. Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.