HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/12/1992 Adjourned Meeting 269
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
MAY 12, 1992.
ADJOURNED MEETING
The City Council met in session on this date at 7:10 A.M. at
the Yakima Center Board Room for informal discussion. Mayor
Pat Berndt presiding, Councilmembers Clarence Barnett, Lynn
Buchanan (absent after 8:14 A.M.) Skip Semon, and Bernard Sims
(absent after 8:50 A.M.) present. Councilmembers Henry
Beauchamp and Bill Brado absent and excused. Staff members
present were City Manager Zais, Administrative Assistant to
the City Manager Oliver, Public Works Director Copeland
(absent after 8:40 A.M.), Refuse /Recycling Manager Gaudette
(present after 7:20 A.M.) and Clerk Harris.
Mayor Berndt remarked that this time of the year is extremely
busy for greetings, welcomes, and various duties requesting
the Mayor's presence. She said it is impossible for her to
attend all of these functions and asked for someone to
volunteer to help. She commented that these are fun type
functions which do not require advance preparations; just
being present. She asked the Council to inform Debbie Moore
if they are able to help.
Ms. Oliver asked the Council to review the memo concerning the
in -kind contributions for the Agriculture Showcase. It was
the consensus of the Council that the County should contribute
at least equivalent to the City's in -kind contribution. The
possibility of Transit service to and from the Showcase was
discussed. Ms. Oliver asked for Council direction concerning
the printing for the brochures and flyers for the Showcase.
It was the consensus of the Council to check with the County
to see what their contributions are before they commit to
anything definite.
Nancy Gaudette discussed the refuse survey results. She said
out of 13,051 surveys mailed, 34% responded. The significance
of the results was the amount of money and time people are
willing to contribute toward the recycling program. 77% of
respondents agreed they would be willing to recycle, 55% agree
the program should be mandatory, 34.6% prefer drop -off, 36.3%
prefer curbside. Councilmember Buchanan commented that there
I/ are a lot of recyclable materials which are sitting in
warehouses now, unable or not cost efficient enough, to be
sold. The recycling consultants, Charlie Scott and Marc
Doudon of Matrix Management, believe these materials
will be in demand in the future, particularly newsprint.
Councilmember Semon was concerned that as the mandatory
recycling is put into effect, there will be an overabundance
of material with no market. The consultants believe that once
the market stabilizes, because of the mandatory recycling, it
will be to the manufacturers's advantage to use the recyclable
materials. The possibilities of using recycled glass as a
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cover for landfill areas and of recycling wood were discussed.
The feasibility of putting the recycling pick -up service out
for bids was also discussed.
Returning to the subject of the refuse survey, Mrs. Gaudette
said almost 80% of the respondents agreed the public needs to
be educated on recycling. More than 50% disagreed with
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legislation exempting Yakima from mandatory recycling. In
answer to Mayor Berndt's question, Mrs. Gaudette replied she
felt the comments made on the surveys were thoughtful and
mostly concerned with the cost of the program.
Charlie Scott of Matrix Management reviewed the requirements
and recommendations. He referred to the Waste Not Washington
Act. As a result of the Act, a 50% recycling goal for 1995
was adopted, however, it is not required that every city meet
that goal. Mayor Berndt remarked that Jim Whiteside, Yakima
County's Solid Waste Committee Chairman, was pleased that the
City has been working on this issue and has some answers
ready. The letter of recommendation sent to the County
concerning recycling in the urban area and Selah, was
reviewed. The recommendations included waste reduction,
public education, and yard waste reduction, all of which
incorporated the consultant's recommendations. Councilmember
Barnett's concern was for the high estimated cost of curbside
pickup; if curbside will be required in the future, the City
may as well do it from the beginning. The explanation from
Jim Dick of the Department of Ecology (DOE), was that as long
as the City is fulfilling it's requirements, and actually
working on recycling, it is not absolutely mandatory.
However, the Legislators do prefer curbside service. It adds
to the complications that it will be the County's plan that is
actually approved, not the City's. There are revisions made
by DOE every five years.
The Columbia Asphalt proposed conclusions and restrictions
were briefly discussed. City Manager Zais informed the
Council if they needed any further information, they should
contact Ray Paolella of the City's legal department.
Mr. Zais and Mr. Semon discussed the Public Transportation
Benefit Area issue. An extension of six month's lag time was
suggested at a former meeting with the County. A three year
transition agreement was discussed. A concession that has
been made was for the City to drop from five members, on a
nine member board, to three members. The City would be
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protected by a veto provision, whereby three negative votes
by any members of the PTBA Board, constitutes a veto.
I/ Councilmember Sims absent after 8:50 A.M., leaving the Council
without a quorum; therefore, the meeting was adjourned.
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CITY CLERK
MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Clerk Harris
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