MINUTES OF A PUBLIC FORUM HELD BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN

OF CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1990

Mayor Howes called the meeting to order.

Council members in attendance were: Julie Andresen, Joyce Brown, Joe Herzenberg, Nancy Preston, Alan Rimer, Arthur Werner and Roosevelt Wilkerson, Jr. Council Member James c. Wallace was absent. Also in attendance were Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Public Works Director Bruce Heflin, Solid Waste Administrator Gayle Wilson, Solid Waste Planner Blair Pollock, and Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos.

Public Works Director Heflin noted that a work session concerning solid waste collection alternatives had been held on July 5th. He said that this session had been limited to four options: continuation of twice per week rear yard collection, or modification to once per week rear yard collection or once or twice per week curbside collection. He stated that he would present an expanded solid waste report to the Council this evening. Mr. Heflin added that the staff would return to the Council with a report on November 26th.

Solid Waste Planner Blair Pollock noted that a regional solid waste task force, with representation from Carrboro, Orange County and Chapel Hill had been meeting periodically during the past four years. He noted that the task force was considering a variety of solid waste collection and management options. Mr. Pollock added that usage of the current landfill site, on the north side of Eubanks Road, would be discontinued in 1993 or 1994. He noted that operations would be moved to a site on the south side of Eubanks. Mr. Pollock also stated that new State and Federal regulations required that the new site be lined, at an estimated cost of $150,000 per acre.

Mr. Pollock noted that the solid waste task force and landfill owner's group anticipated the need for a site with a minimum life of twenty years. He said that refuse volume reduction techniques, if successfully implemented, could significantly prolong the useful life of the new landfill site. Mr. Pollock also stated that the task force was jointly examining several options with Durham County, including incineration, composting and refuse‑derived fuel technology. He added that the solid waste consultant's principal recommendation to the solid waste task force was to encourage reduction in waste volume.

Mr. Pollock noted that a recently conducted solid waste characterization study estimated that up to thirty‑four percent of residential wastes were recyclable. He said that seventeen percent of these wastes are currently recycled. Mr. Pollock also stated that sixty‑six percent of wastes were compostable and seventy percent of wastes were combustible for deriving fuel. Mr. Pollock presented a brief slide show, providing an overview of how individuals could reduce their waste volumes.

Public Works Director Bruce Heflin noted the need to increase public awareness concerning solid waste and its disposal methods. Mr. Heflin briefly reviewed solid waste collection options for the Town: once or twice per week rear yard or curbside collection. He noted that other communities with curbside collection had instituted exemption policies to address the needs of infirm and impaired residents. He stated that nationally, two to three percent of households request exemptions. Mr. Heflin added that if the current refuse collection method were altered, it would be necessary to communicate this change through neighborhood meetings, the media, and other channels. Mr. Heflin noted that there were efficiencies to be attained from the integration of recycling programs.

Council Member Brown proposed that a solid waste reduction task force, drawing from all segments of the community, be created. Council Member Brown said that details of the arrangement could be worked out at a future Council meeting. Council Member Rimer noted that Orange County, Carrboro and the Town were working to identify solid waste reduction and disposal alternatives. Council Member Rimer stressed the importance of analyzing the waste stream as early as possible. Council Member Rimer said he hoped that citizens would participate in the activities of the solid waste reduction task force.

Lucy McKerrow, 604 Emory Drive, said she was opposed to curbside collection. Ms. McKerrow expressed concern that many elderly residents would be unable to take their refuse to the curb. Ms. McKerrow added that empty roll‑out canisters would pose health and safety problems. She added that the Town took pride in its streets. Ms. McKerrow said that refuse at the curbside would be an eyesore.

Emile Chanlett, said that the alleged savings from curbside collection would be derived from the free labor provided by individual residents. He noted that pushing forty to fifty pounds of refuse would be intolerable labor for many Town residents. Mr. Chanlett requested that the Council leave the current collection method unchanged. He noted that paying additional taxes for the current service was worth the expense.

Pearson Stewart said he supported the implementation of a curbside pick‑up program, with an exemption policy. Mr. Stewart also suggested that composting and waste separation programs should be pursued. He noted that a fee‑based collection system had merits and administrative difficulties.

Meskel Conrad said she was in physical therapy three times per week to address scoliosis. Ms. Conrad noted that her condition limited lifting to no more than fifteen pounds. She expressed concern that criminals could target households requesting curbside collection exemption. Ms. Conrad added that the proposed approval for exemptions might be very expensive to implement. She urged the Council not to reduce essential Town services such as public safety, water and wastewater, and refuse collection. Ms. Conrad noted that she would support a shift from twice to once per week rear yard refuse collection.

Rachel Simon said that her sister and brother‑in‑law reside in Monroe, North Carolina. Ms. Simon said that curbside collection receptacles in that community had deteriorated quickly, creating eyesores. She that the proposal for curbside collection was a foolhardy method for saving money. Ms. Simon urged the Council not to adopt curbside refuse collection.

Robert Joesting said that most communities would be doing once per week curbside and recycling pickup in twenty to thirty years. He expressed his support for the Town shifting to such a system. Mr. Joesting said that once per week curbside pickup would reduce air and noise pollution, fuel costs and the wear on area streets. He also suggested that heavy waste producers be required to pay extra for their additional waste volume. Mr. Joesting also suggested that recycling containers be placed in the downtown area.

Jane Sharp said that she had rolled refuse carts used by the Town of Carrboro and had found that they were not very heavy or difficult to manipulate. Ms. Sharp suggested that the Town become involved in plastic recycling. She noted that many useful products could be made from recycled goods.

Andrea Rohrbacher noted the importance of recycling and composting of wastes. Ms. Rohrbacher also stressed the need for area residents to receive education about wastes and recycling.

Art Dodd said that changes to the current refuse collection system were inevitable. Mr. Dodd stated that most citizens could take care of themselves including rolling refuse carts to the curbside. Mr. Dodd requested that the Council change the refuse collection method to curbside collection.

Dan Coleman, representing Orange County Greens, stressed the importance of minimizing costs, environmental impacts and improving the health, safety and welfare of the community, in the selection of waste collection and reduction methods. Mr. Coleman expressed his support for once per week curbside collection, supplemented by a waste source reduction program. He said that citizens were willing to change their habits relative to waste.

Mark Chilton said that those who produce the most waste should pay the most for its collection. Mr. Chilton stated that a fee system instituted in Seattle, Washington, had reduce typical household refuse volumes by approximately seventy percent.

Helen Urquhart stated the importance of educating the public concerning waste production and reduction. Ms. Urquhart stated that the Town of Carrboro has used refuse rollout carts for approximately ten years. She noted that the Town's program was successful and saved money. Ms. Urquhart said that rollout carts roll well and stand up to weather conditions very well. She noted the importance of public education programs concerning waste reduction and recycling.

Mandy Whelan thanked the Council for its consideration of refuse collection and reduction methods. Ms. Whelan noted that the City of Atlanta had shifted its refuse collection from rear yard to curbside. She added that approximately seventy‑five percent of residents opposed the program at the outset. Ms. Whelan noted that seventy‑five percent of the residents favored the program, following a public education program. Ms. Whelan requested that the Town's recycling program be expanded to include multi‑family dwellings such as apartments.

Liz McGeahy expressed support for Jane Sharp's and Dan Coleman's remarks. Ms. McGeahy also said she favored user fees and the establishment of a waste reduction task force.

Edwin Caldwell thanked the Council for examining methods to save Town funds. Mr. Caldwell commended the Town of‑Carrboro for its shift to curbside collection approximately ten years ago. Mr. Caldwell noted that his mother collects newspapers and recycles them at the Umstead Park recycling center. He noted that he had instituted a recycling program at his work place. Mr. Caldwell said that he also encouraged students in his neighborhood to recycle.

Claire Simon, speaking on behalf of the Ridgewood Garden Club, said that all but one of the club's members were senior citizens. Ms. Simon stated that members of the garden club felt that the Council could find other areas to cut, rather than requiring curbside refuse pick‑up.

Ed Vaughn noted that it would be necessary to find a new landfill site, regardless of collection method selection. Mr. Vaughn suggested that any savings realized from shifting to once per week curbside collection be used to help pay the cost of a new landfill site.

Greg Gangi said that recycling alone was insufficient. Mr. Gangi stressed the importance of establishing a fee‑based refuse system.

He noted that such a system was fair to all residents.

Betty Maultsby said that the current refuse collection system set a bad example for children and offered a very poor opportunity for the integration of recycling, increasing the need for incineration and landfilling. She also stated that the current system is short- sighted and does not provide a higher level of service to the Town. Ms. Maultsby urged the Council to institute a once per week curbside pick‑up system with recycling.

Wilson McKerrow stated that he saw no relationship between recycling and curbside refuse collection. Mr. McKerrow added that he was a strong supporter of recycling. Mr. McKerrow expressed his support for having different types of receptacles for various recyclables.

Edwin Caldwell inquired about the Town's oil recycling program. Recycling Coordinator Wendy McGee responded that the landfill facility on Eubanks Road accepts waste‑oil Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.

Mayor Howes noted that the Council had received a letter from Milton Heath concerning refuse collection. He "'added that approximately twenty residents had called the Mayor's Office, requesting that the current collection system remain unchanged. Mayor Howes inquired when the item was scheduled to come back to the Council for further consideration and possible action. Town Manager Horton responded that the staff would present a follow‑up report to the Council on November 26th.

Council Member Werner stressed the need to address short‑term refuse collection issues, as well as long‑range policy questions. Mayor Howes noted the need to examine potential cost savings and long‑range aspects of possibly changing the Town's refuse collection methods. Mayor Howes also noted the need for the community to become much more educated about recycling.

Council Member Preston noted that she was a member of the Preservation Society, rather than a Council Member, the last time that a shift in collection methods was discussed. Council Member Preston noted that she had spoken against curbside collection at that time. She also added that no one spoke in favor of curbside collection at that hearing, eight years ago. Council Member Preston noted that the shift in community opinion was a realization that refuse disposal is everyone's problem. She noted the importance of encouraging all residents to reduce their volume of waste.

Mayor Howes noted that most driveways in Carrboro are not as steep as those in the Town. Mayor Howes said he did not favor instituting a mandatory recycling system. He stated that such a system should only be implemented as a last resort. Mayor Howes said that a fee‑based system had merits, if there guarantees that people would not otherwise improperly dispose of their wastes.

Council Member Andresen said that the establishment of a solid waste reduction task force was a good idea. She stressed the importance of getting representation from the building, fast food and other related industries. Council Member Andresen noted the Council's leadership role in establishing the Town's current recycling programs. She observed the need for examining efficiencies (costs) and effectiveness (citizen demand) of level of service options. ‑ Council Member Andresen said she would support a telephone survey to determine the community's refuse collection preferences. Council Member Andresen noted that Mr. Heath had made some good points about refuse collection in the downtown area.

Council Member Werner said that financial consideration dominated short‑term refuse concerns, while waste reduction techniques were the focus of long‑term planning. Council Member Werner observed that older residents likely produce less waste than other Town residents. He also noted that potential cost savings between once and twice per week pick‑up were negligible. Council Member Werner also expressed the importance of reliable statistical information for good decision‑making.

Council Member Brown said she was glad that some residents were interested in establishing a refuse fee weight system. Council Member Brown noted the importance of using the fee as a positive waste reduction mechanism.

Council Member Rimer noted that ten to twelve years ago, in his role as a consultant, he had recommended that the Town shift to a rollout cart system. Council Member Rimer noted that vigorous recycling and waste reduction programs could result in significant cost reductions. He stated that he had been involved in a resource recovery program for the State of Hawaii approximately eight years ago. He noted that two‑thirds of the materials in the program were recycled rather than landfilled. Council Member Rimer stated that the establishment of a fee system was an excellent idea for the long‑term, but one that he did not currently favor. He noted the need for additional reliable data before making final recommendations concerning refuse collection methods.

Council Member Herzenberg noted that Town residents had presented a 3,000 signature petition to the Board of Aldermen in 1977, opposing a shift to curbside refuse collection. He noted that the public's opinion on this matter had shifted significantly since that time. Council Member Herzenberg expressed concern that a shift in collection method would result in a shift in his notion of community.

Council Member Preston requested that the staff present an overview of the Town's new plastic recycling program. Mr. Pollock responded that a pilot plastic recycling program would be initiated by late November, 1990. He added that mixed paper and tin can recycling programs were also underway.

Town Manager Horton stated that the staff would provide a follow-up report to the Council at its November 26th meeting. Mr. Horton noted that it was important to make significant changes, rather than to nibble at large problems. Mayor Howes thanked the staff for their clear presentation and the public for their views. He said that the Council's responsibility was to balance the community's points of view.

The forum concluded at 9:39 p.m.