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5.1. SR 09-20-1993 r I --\.J ( ); rl~ ITEM 5. 1. TO: MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL Gl~ GARY SCHMITZ, RECYCLING COORDINATOR /ZONING ASSISTANT FROM: DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 1993 SUBJECT: FALL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES The following list will be a short description of some of the environmental events coming up this fall in the City of Elk River. e Compost Collection Day - Each spring and fall, the City of Elk River offers a compost collection day event so that residents can dispose of their compost during the peak time periods. This spring the City had a drop off day at the maintenance garage which had a large turnout. This fall Sherburne County is organizing a county-wide drop off program. The County is organizing various farmers throughout the County, including one in Elk River, to collect compost for a couple Saturdays in late October/early November. Rather than duplicate the County's efforts, City staff will work with the County to help out at the Elk River site. I feel that the compost drop off days have been acting as a band-aid until a permanent location can be found. The City has received approximately $14,000 of SCORE funds to help locate a compost facility in the City limits. This winter I will try to research possible areas for a compost site. If you have any ideas, please let me know. e Clean Up Day - The past three years, the City has held a clean up day each spring for the collection of large items that could be recycled such as appliances, tires, scrap metal and batteries. Non-recyclable items such as general junk, carpet, furniture, etc., must be landfilled which adds a tremendous overall cost to the clean up day. There has been some discussion about a fall collection day. There is no plans at this time to hold another clean up event this fall. However, the City will hold another clean up day this spring. During the 1993 spring clean up day, the number of tires and appliances collected was down considerably from the previous years. I have attached a copy of the summaries of the clean up days in 1991, 1992, and 1993. From the pattern that the summaries show, hopefully the City is finally starting to catch up on these types of unwanted materials. The City of Elk River also did not receive any grant money for a fall collection day. Therefore, if the City were to hold an event, the entire economic burden would be placed on the City. P.O. Box 490 · 13065 Orono Parkway · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 e e e Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day The disposal of household hazardous waste has been an ongoing problem in eastern Sherburne County. Sherburne, Benton, and Stearns Counties have combined to form the Tri-County Solid Waste Management Commission. A permanent household hazardous waste collection facility is available in St. Cloud to service these three counties. Most residents of Elk River and the surrounding communities rarely visit the St. Cloud Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Last year, only 19 people from eastern Sherburne County used the facility. In response to this dilemma, the Tri-County Solid Waste Management Commission, Sherburne County, and the City of Elk River are in the process of organizing a one or two day household hazardous waste drop off program in the Elk River area. Household hazardous waste excluded from this program would be motor oil and paint. There are options in the area for disposal of these items. Indy Lube should be opening some time in October, and have indicated they will be a public used oil drop off facility. The specific site for the household hazardous waste drop off is at the Elk River maintenance garage. However, this is not being advertised by normal means so that some control can be maintained at the collection event. An application was sent to all area residents in the Environmental Educator, a supplement to the Star News. From the application list, people will be notified when to come to the clean up day at various times throughout the day. By not advertising the location of the event, a good assessment can be made on the types and amount of household hazardous waste expected to be received. It will also limit the free-for-all atmosphere common to these events by spreading the people out throughout the day. With this type of format, workers will also have the ability to try to educate people on how to avoid household hazardous waste problems in the future. It is expected that between 60 and 90 people will use the program. The Tri-County Solid Waste Management Commission will oversee the event with help from the City and County. The City will provide a bay in the maintenance garage to collect the material. APTUS, a company licensed to handle household hazardous waste, has been hired by Tri-County to be on site to handle items brought in. If you have any questions or concerns on this program, Kent Dahlquist, Tri-County Solid Waste Management Commission, would be happy to set up a time at a Council meeting to go over the entire program. I will be at the September 20, 1993, Council meeting if you have any questions on these programs. e e e Refuse Hauler Contract On November 1, 1993, the City of Elk River's three year contract for garbage, refuse, and recycling service will expire. City staff is in the process of renegotiating the contract. A few minor changes are being proposed, however, the great majority of the contract will remain the same. After negotiations are completed with the refuse haulers, the contract will be formally presented to the Council for approval.