10-23-1990 CCM (2)MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL AND
HUTCHINSON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1990
Mayor Ackland called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. Present
were: Mayor Paul L. Ackland, Aldermen John Mlinar, Craig Lenz,
Marlin Torgerson and Don Erickson, City Administrator Gary D.
Plotz; County Commissioners Shirley Nowak, Grant Knutson, and
Beverly Wangerin; Environmentalist Paul Melchior and Zoning
Administrator Edwin E. Homan of McLeod County; Chairperson Mark
Schnobrich and Solid Waste Management Committee members; and Janis
Rannow of McLeod County Landfill.
Discussion centered on the costs of recycling. It was pointed out
that the drop boxes at the Civic Arena site were more frequently
used than the ones located at the Super America site.
Mayor Ackland questioned if money should be used for city-wide
curbside recycling if there was no payback. He suggested that some
of the funding be used for the city composting project.
Mr. Paul Melchior stressed that a good education program was neces-
sary to promote the use of recycling. Also, there will be a doubl-
ing of use when containers are provided to the residents to hold
the recyclables. It was suggested to have the recycling done the
same day as refuse pickup. Mention was made that the cities of
Stewart and Brownton are going to drop boxes, and therefore, there
will be a 25 percent reduction in the county.
Ms. Janis Rannow stated that recycling must meet the three "C's":
1. Cost
2. Convenience
3. Conscience
Commissioner Grant Knutson commented that they were one year ahead
of themselves to go to curbside pickup. First there must be a
market for the recyclables.
Mr. Ed Homan reported the remainder of the program would be funded
with the use of tip fee and SCORE money. However, if the money was
not used, it could be taken back or given to another city. The
county has already purchased the blue plastic boxes to be used for
recycling, and they are available for Hutchinson residents.
Mr. Mark Schnobrich commented that the city might wind up with the
total cost for curbside pick-up on a city-wide basis at some future
time if it declines the available SCORE funding. There would be a
$32,000 cost difference.
JOINT CITY COUNCIL MEETING - OCTOBER 23, 1990
Following discussion, Alderman Mlinar moved to have recycling on a
city-wide basis for all precincts, with curbside pick-up. Motion
seconded by Alderman Lenz and failed three to two upon roll call
vote, with Aldermen Mlinar and Lenz voting aye and the Mayor and
Aldermen Torgerson and Erickson voting nay.
Alderman Mlinar moved to attempt curbside pick-up in three pre-
cincts in Hutchinson. No second and the motion died.
Alderman Torgerson moved that the city go to full curbside pick-up
for precincts one and four for three months, with evaluation at the
end of that time. Motion seconded by Alderman Mlinar and unani-
mously carried.
The joint meeting adjourned at 7:35 P.M.