The regular meeting of the Solid Waste Management Planning Committee of the County of Calhoun was held on Monday, September 12, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. at the Calhoun County Road Commission, 13300 Fifteen Mile Road, Marshall, Michigan 49068.

Committee Members Present: Arnold Arquette Gene Klisiak

Lewis Cooper Mike Myszka

Tom Funke Ken Kohs

John Bomba Walt Obrinske

Also Present: Ken Johnson, Pennfield Optimist Club

Bob Overley, Calhoun County Environmental Health Department

Tiffany Eichorst, Calhoun County Solid Waste Director

Mary Jo Crumpton, Calhoun County Community Development

Chairman John Bomba called the meeting to order at 4:36 p.m.

Chairman Bomba led the committee in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion made by Ken Kohs to accept the meeting agenda as presented.

Supported by Tom Funke. Voice vote: motion carried.

Motion made by Arnold Arquette to accept the regular meeting minutes of July 11,

2005 as presented. Supported by Ken Kohs. Voice vote: motion carried.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FUND

Calhoun County Environmental Health Department: Bob Overley informed the committee that the last Household Hazardous Waste Collection for 2005 would be held this Saturday, September 17, 2005 in Battle Creek. He will provide the HHW Collections report at the November meeting.

2005 Challenge Grant Presentations : Chairman Bomba greeted the Challenge Grant recipients who were present to receive their awards.

•  Pennfield Optimist Club: Ken Johnson from the Pennfield Optimist Club thanked the Solid Waste Committee for the Challenge Grant to provide 400 reusable grocery bags for shoppers to eliminate the use of paper and plastic grocery bags. The bags were handed out on September 10 th at the Pennfield Felpausch Store from 10 am – 2 pm; by 12:30 pm all bags were gone. Mr. Johnson noted that 90% of the customers approached accepted a bag and 70% of them used them that day. Customers appreciated the bags, planned to use them and several shoppers wanted to give a donation.

Mr. Johnson stated that the Earth Savers group from Pennfield Schools was unable to

assist in handing out the bags. If he had it to do over again, he would have ordered bigger

bags and had a Solid Waste Committee member present at the store.

•  City of Battle Creek: Ken Kohs accepted the Challenge Grant award on behalf of the City of Battle Creek who will be implementing their program this Fall to promote and improve recycling in the City of Battle Creek and to generate greater participation in the City's existing solid waste recycling program.

Challenge Grant Applications/Award Process: Included in the agenda packet was the application and award process for the Challenge Grants. Chairman Bomba commented that this should be reviewed on a regular basis. In recent months, discussion has occurred on the eligibility criteria for a Challenge Grant award. Specifically, a concern was recently raised regarding BFI providing funding for the Challenge Grant program and Challenge Grants being awarded to City of Battle Creek programs where Waste Management services are used. Lewis Cooper asked if this is a legal issue. Chairman Bomba replied that this is not a legal issue. BFI gives a portion of their landfill revenue to the County's Solid Waste Management Fund. Ken Kohs noted that this is not voluntary, but a requirement of the agreement between BFI and the County. Ken also noted that while the City of Battle Creek contracts with Waste Management for garbage/recycling services for city residents, they still do a lot of business with BFI. Also, with 17,000 waste customers in the City of Battle Creek, the Challenge Grant program is reaching many Calhoun County residents.

Ken Kohs commented that significant discussion has taken place on the fact that applications we receive are usually for targeted areas (e.g., City of Battle Creek, S.C.R.A.P. Homer Recycling Center). If there is interest by the Solid Waste Committee to only accept applications for countywide projects, this should be stated in the application guidelines. It is unfair for applicants to be scrutinized for a targeted project when there is nothing in the application process that states the project must be countywide. Discussion continued.

Dead Deer Removal: Discussion took place on funding dead deer removal for the Calhoun County Road Commission. Walt Obrinske asked if matching dollars could be available to townships as an incentive to clean up ditches and the debris along the roadsides and to get people involved at the township level. Tiffany responded that townships are given a $50 credit for the Tire and Appliance Collection. Tiffany offered to contact township officials for their input and ideas.

Tiffany reported that she spoke with area counties regarding dead deer pick-up. Some counties do not pick up dead deer at all, but will only move them out of the roadway. Other counties pick up dead deer as part of their general road maintenance. There are counties where the townships pay the cost for dead deer removal. Discussion continued.

Motion made by Arnold Arquette to give the funds currently allocated for the Challenge

Grant Program ($10,000) to the County Road Commission for dead deer pick up and disposal throughout the county.

Lewis Cooper questioned how funding would be allocated specifically for dead deer pick up and would the allocation be split up by township, road, etc.

Ken Kohs stated that he is opposed to the above motion as cities and villages are excluded even though they represent the majority of the county population.

Arnold Arquette amended the above motion for dead deer pick up and disposal to include cities and villages within Calhoun County.

Mike Myszka commented that the purpose of the Challenge Grant is not to provide general maintenance services but to fund start up programs that will become self-sustaining.

Lewis Cooper commented that more information is needed; therefore, the Calhoun County Road Commission could apply for a Challenge Grant to provide more details.

Memo to John Hallacy regarding litter violations: Included in the agenda packet was the memo that Tiffany sent to County Prosecuting Attorney John Hallacy regarding how violators would be prosecuted if they were caught on video dumping trash or other non-acceptable materials into the recycle bins and what type of fines or punishment would they receive?

Tiffany provided committee members with the response from John Hallacy. Under the “littering” statute (MCL 750.552A), “Filth, garbage or refuse; unlawful to dump, deposit or place on property of another.” This is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or up to a $500 fine.

Mr. Hallacy noted that having a videotape of the person leaving the items is only the beginning of the investigative process. Further investigation would be needed prior to looking at prosecution.

Discussion took place on placing video cameras at the three recycling locations. Questions and comments included:

•  Why bother with video cameras if violators are not going to be prosecuted?

•  Install a “dummy” camera with a wire and signage stating that the area is under surveillance.

•  Provide a phone number for residents to call if they are unsure what items are accepted in the recycling bins.

•  Install signage with locations and a phone number for items that are not accepted at our recycling locations.

Tiffany noted that she has received many requests for signs that state the penalty for littering. Discussion continued.

Committee members directed Tiffany to proceed with having a “dummy” camera with wire and appropriate signage installed at the three recycling locations.

Draft of Stewardship Letter: Included in the agenda packet was a draft letter that Tiffany put together asking local businesses and organizations for financial contributions to assist in the continuation and improvement of our solid waste programs and services.

Tom Funke stressed the importance of securing a good mailing list, possibly from the Chamber of Commerce. Also, it was suggested that Tiffany add a request for volunteer help from these organizations if they are unable to contribute financially.

CALHOUN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Tire & Appliance Collection: Information on the Fall Tire & Appliance collection was included in the agenda packet.

Recycling Articles: Articles were provided to committee members on the new recycling center on Clinton Street in the City of Albion.

Homer Recycling Center: Included in the agenda packet was correspondence regarding the Homer Recycling Center. This new facility is now open and operable. Tom Grant, President of the Homer Recycling Center directed Tiffany to contact BFI to stop bin placement at the Homer site. Not only does this relieve the Solid Waste Department of the expense of providing this service, the Homer area will have access to greater recycling options.

River Clean Up: The City of Battle Creek, Calhoun County Community Development, the City of Springfield and the City of Marshall are hosting the Global Citizens' River Conservation Day on Saturday, October 1 st . The corresponding flyer was included in the agenda packet.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANNING COMMITTEE

Solid Waste Video: Tiffany informed the committee that she has located the Solid Waste video that was produced several years ago. After reviewing the video, Tiffany noted that it is not too outdated but will look into the cost to update the text and dates. Extra copies are available.

2006 Meeting Schedule: The 2006 Meeting Schedule for the committee was included in the agenda. The committee will meet at 4:30 pm on the 2 nd Monday of every other month as in past years.

Motion made by Tom Funke to accept the 2006 Solid Waste Management Planning Committee Meeting Schedule as presented. Supported by Mike Myszka. Voice vote: motion carried.

MEMBERS COMMENTS

Chairman Bomba directed Tiffany to review the Solid Waste Agreement and By-Laws to put together a task list for the Solid Waste Department to include goals and objectives. Also, he would like an Annual Report produced that includes items identified in the Solid Waste Agreement that have been accomplished.