Solid Waste Meeting Minutes

Minutes of July 12, 2004

Committee Members Present: Michael Myszka John Bomba

Gene Klisiak Steve Essling

Marilyn Hennon Ken Kohs

Judy Mackinder Thomas Funke

Also Present: Tiffany Eichorst, Calhoun County Solid Waste Director

Mary Jo Crumpton, Calhoun County Community Development

Chairman John Bomba called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.

Chairman John Bomba led the committee in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion made by Mike Myszka to accept the meeting agenda as written. Supported by Ken Kohs. Voice vote: motion carried.

Motion made by Mike Myszka to accept the regular meeting minutes of July 12, 2004. Supported by Ken Kohs. Voice vote: motion carried.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FUND

2005 Solid Waste Budget: At the last meeting, discussion took place on the Community Compost Center budget line item and the committee requested that Tiffany gather more information on the Compost Center hours, fees, volume taken in from residents, financial status, trend for the last three years, operating costs and production amounts.

Tiffany informed the committee that she reduced the 2005 budget line item for the Community Compost Center from $20,000 to 16,000. She also spoke with Gail Bradstreet, Clerk for the City of Marshall, regarding the Compost Center becoming self-sufficient. Ms. Bradstreet responded that it was never thought that the center would be 100% self-sustaining. The Community Compost Center agreement is between Calhoun County, CCRC and the City of Marshall with the CCRC and City of Marshall agreeing to provide financial support to create and implement a composting center open to all Calhoun County residents.

Tiffany also informed the committee that, although he could not be present at tonight's meeting, Arnold Arquette expressed his concerns to her regarding the Compost Center. He believes the Compost Center should not receive any funding from the Solid Waste Fund, as it should be self-sufficient. He believes that It is not being used countywide, but mainly by City of Marshall residents/businesses.

Discussion took place on the following:

•  Are advertising/promotional efforts being made countywide? Committee members expressed concern that Marshall residents are targeted for advertising and a coordinated effort is needed to include residents countywide.

•  There is a concern with the amount of compost being less.

Minutes of August 23, 2004

•  The Solid Waste Committee is subsidizing the Community Compost Center whereas the City of Battle Creek and Albion do not receive funding.

•  May want to consider charging a fee for drop off.

Committee members agreed that the Community Compost Center is a good resource for Calhoun County residents; however, it is not the Solid Waste Committee's intention to provide funding annually to sustain the operation of the Compost Center and would like to see the center be self-sufficient. Also, a coordinated effort is needed throughout the county to meet the needs of all county residents, not just those who reside in the cities.

The committee directed Tiffany to discuss alternate funding strategies and recommendations on how the Community Compost Center can be self-sustaining with the City of Marshall and the other stakeholders in the agreement, as well as, pursuing a coordinated composting effort with the City of Battle Creek and Albion

Motion made by Mike Myszka to recommend for approval of the change in the 2005 Budget line item for the Compost Center from $20,000 to $16,000 and to recommend support for a self-sustaining countywide compost system and a review of the program to optimize funding for a coordinated effort. Supported by Steve Essling. Voice vote: motion passed unanimously.

Discussion took place on other 2005 Budget line items. Tiffany explained that the cost has gone up for recycling bins and additional pick-ups. The budget line item for Environmental Health is based on last year's bill. Although the amount of household hazardous waste being collected has declined, the Environmental Health Department will continue to hold the collections. Discussion continued.

Committee members discussed options to offset the cost of household hazardous waste collections and suggested sending flyers to townships for contributions, asking private sector businesses for donations and soliciting donations on-site during the collections. Steve Essling commented that the cost for recycling is four times the cost of regular disposal.

Motion made by Mike Myszka to recommend for approval the 2005 budget as provided. Supported by Ken Kohs. Voice vote: motion passed unanimously.

2004 Challenge Grants

•  Calhoun County Parks and Recreation Department Challenge Grant: Tiffany reminded the committee that Annette Chapman, Director of the Calhoun County Parks and Recreation Department, was present to discuss ideas for the Challenge Grant application which included educating the public about water quality issues, providing recycling barrels at Historic Bridge Park and installing a pet waste disposal facility with the means and materials to properly dispose of pet waste. At that meeting, committee members encouraged the Parks and Recreation Department to get creative to find the 25% match that is required under the Challenge Grant guidelines.

Minutes of August 23, 2004

Tiffany informed the committee that the County has provided the 25% match of $841.75.

The Parks Crew will maintain the waste disposal and recycling bins.

Motion made by Marilyn Hennon to recommend for approval the Challenge Grant request from the Calhoun County Parks and Recreation Department in the amount of $2,525.25. Supported by Gene Klisiak. Voice vote: motion passed unanimously.

Challenge Grant Update

•  Huron Potawatomi (2000): Tiffany informed the Committee that she sent out a letter to David Jones from Huron Potawatomi regarding their obligations to fulfill the 2000 Challenge Grant agreement. She received a call from a co-worker of Mr. Jones asking for an extension on the deadline they were given to implement a recycling program and also reported that Huron Potawatomi was hosting a Reservation Recycling Week. Tiffany handed out a flyer from Huron Potawatomi regarding the recycling activities taking place during that week. Discussion continued.

Committee members noted that this has been a long-standing issue with Huron Potawatomi and no efforts have been made to implement a recycling program as required under the Challenge Grant guidelines. Tiffany was directed to contact Huron Potawatomi to inquire if a plan for recycling had been put in place prior to David Jones's leave.

Calhoun County Community Development

•  Event Information: Tiffany informed the committee that Cereal City Recycling is now accepting computer equipment, at no charge, from Calhoun County residents.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANNING COMMITTEE

Solid Waste Industry Representative Vacancy

At the last meeting, Jocelyn Godfrey from Cereal City Recycling was present as an interested party in serving on the Calhoun County Solid Waste Management Planning Committee as a Solid Waste Industry representative. Tiffany reported that, to date, she has not received a letter of interest from Ms. Godfrey but will follow-up to ascertain her interest.

It was the consensus of the committee to cancel the September 13, 2004 meeting. The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 8, 2004 at 6:30 pm.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.