HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - Council Action Form dated October 22, 1991 COUNCIL ACTION FORM
Item # c Q
Date: October 22, 1991
SUBJECT: Collection and reuse of grass, garden, and leaves.
BACKGROUND:
As the requirements for separate collection and disposal of yard wastes
were implemented, the City ordinance was modified to provide for disposal.
The ordinance that is now in force was modified from one in which the
main focus was for garbage disposal. The philosophy of yard residue
(grass, garden residue, and leaves) disposal is different than garbage
disposal because the health and sanitation needs are much different. The
yard residue need not be disposed of, but rather can be reused as a soil
conditioner and for weed control.
The current ordinance requires that disposal be completed through licensed
hauler, personal dropoff, on-site composting or incineration at a City
owned or approved site. Staff has been asked to review a question from a
private citizen concerning the potential for operating a leaf collection and
reuse site. This request and City Attorney John Klaus' opinion are
attached.
It is apparent that the modification of the previous ordinance has not left
any possibility for smaller private enterprise initiatives to take place
without formal designation of the site as a City approved disposal site.
Staff feels that small private reuse operations should be encouraged to
provide varied and less costly alternatives for the citizens, as well as to
demonstrate City support for appropriate reuse of yard waste residue.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Leave the ordinance as presently written.
2. Designate the property at 404 Garden Road as a designated disposal
site.
3. Modify the City Code to provide for dropoff and reuse of yard
residue (grass, garden residue, and leaves) without specific desig-
nation by the City as long as neighborhood problems relating to
odor, littering, rodents, and traffic are taken care of and the 14
day storage limitation is adhered to. This proposal would allow such
operations to exist unless problems become apparent at which time
staff would pursue violations as a municipal infraction.
CAF - Collection/Reuse
October 22, 1991
Page 2
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended by the City Manager that the City Council adopt
alternative #3 thereby supporting the concept of permissible yard residue
collection and reuse at multiple sites as long as neighborhood concerns are
not created and DNR regulations are met. This program would only be
allowable for grass, garden residue and leaves. It is further recommended
that the City Attorney be directed to modify the City Code to reflect this
concept.
COUNCIL ACTION
PW/Revl