Environment and Recycling

CITY OF CHARLESTON WEST VIRGINIA Council Member – AT­LARGE John Kennedy Bailey Environment and Recycling Committee, Chair PO Box 2505 Ordinance and Rules Committee Charleston, WV 25329 Telephone: 304‐346‐5646 jkbailey@jkbailey.com TO: Environment and Recycling Committee FROM: John Kennedy Bailey, Chair RE: Committee Meeting A meeting of the Council Committee on Environment and Recycling will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. The meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 PM. UNTIL FURTER NOTICE, MEETINGS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA ZOOM *Join via internet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87651817116?pwd=cmJMSGZ3MHdUMUR1Qy9sQU1YdlpJZz 09 Passcode: 034733 *Join via Telephone: (312) 626‐6799 or (929) 436‐2866 Webinar ID: 876 5181 7116 Agenda APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES 1. 11‐18‐20 RECYCLING STUDY UPDATE GREEN TEAM APPOINTMENTS UPDATE CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF COMPOSTING PROGRAM UPDATE ON GARBAGE RELATED ORDINANCES ADJOURNMENT Page | 1 of JKB/jb Page | 2 of  MINUTES ENVIRONMENT & RECYCLING COMMITTEE MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2020 – 5:30 PM- VIA REMOTE Committee Members Present: John Kennedy Bailey, Chair – Bruce King, Vice Chair Bobby Haas- Naomi Bays -Caitlin Cook -Ben Adams Others Present: Kevin Baker- Brent Webster- Jared Lanham –Jane Bostic Mackenzie Spencer John Kennedy Bailey, Chairman called the meeting to order. He entertained a motion to dispense with the reading of and approval of October 7,2020 meeting minutes. Naomi Bays made motion-Bobby Haas seconded. Minutes approved as written. The First agenda Item: Update on Recycling Study. The Chairman stated he had intended to reach out to the consultants for an update but was not able to do so. Jane Bostic informed the committee that she had attempted to reach them today but had not received a response. She did advise that the consultants had finished compiling their data and meetings and are in the process of compiling their report. Additionally, she stated that she was hopeful that there would be something from them by the first week of December and is waiting for them to reach out in order to set a meeting date with the E&R committee. The Chairman stated he would like to have communication with the consultants before the report is finalized. The members of the committee agreed. He suggested perhaps via a conference call. Jane Bostic stated she would check with the consultants to see what could be coordinated with the committee members. Next agenda item: Update on Appointments to Green Team. The Chairman began by stating he had been contacted by a couple community members interested in serving on the Green Team. Kevin Baker stated he had about 5 or 6 people who had reached out to various departments. He also stated that one of resolution requirements was there be representatives from different wards/areas of the city and that he had not received any suggestions from the Kan City/West Side flats or nearby South Hills area, but had reached out to the Council persons for those areas for any recommendations. Naomi Bays asked if there has been any public promotion asking for volunteers. Kevin Baker stated he was aware of a press release as well as some social media posts. Naomi Bays suggested perhaps another public outreach be made. Caitlin Cook asked if in addition to the ward Councilperson, if the at-large members can help with outreach. All agreed was a great idea. Kevin Baker reiterated that the Resolution calls for the Mayor to appoint the Green Team members, with the advise and consent of City Council so he would need to get the final list of volunteers to her for final approval and would definitely value the input of the E&R Committee. Next Agenda Item: Discussion of Existing Composting Program: The Chairman explained that he had plans to visit the facility and had not yet. He stated that he would like to set up a date/time for any of the interested committee members to visit the facility. He asked if anyone Page | 3 of could provide any update on the compost program and/or facility. Jared Lanham stated that to his knowledge the biggest challenges at the facility were broken and/or outdated equipment and space. Brent Webster reiterated that fact and there were serious infrastructure issues. He added that they were composting a great amount of leaves and chips but needed to get more of it out to the public to help with the space issue. He added that the City does advertise that it is available and free to anyone interested in picking it up. There was some discussion of ways to potentially get more of the material out. Naomi Bays suggested the possibility of delivery to areas of the city i.e. Capitol Market. She also suggested the possibility of working with the City Collector office to include notice of availability to garden and landscape businesses included in their B&O tax statements. Naomi also stated that she hoped that the consultants report includes composting as part of their comprehensive plan. The Chairman asked if anyone present knew the regulations and requirements for the city to possibly operate its own Monofil. Kevin Baker responded that he had not details at this time but could look into it. Next Agenda Item: Follow up W/City Attorney on Citations for Violations of Garbage Related Ordinances. Kevin Baker stated that is office has been working on drafting a Bill that would basically treat trash violations similar to parking violations, i.e. tickets with the ability to challenge and/or ability to pay included. He stated that would need to be a period of public education, public notices, and warnings. Additionally, there is a logistic and cost analysis that would need to be considered. There were several members concerns and comments regarding garbage issues in their wards, particularly as it related to landlords and evictions. The Chairman asked what the next steps were. Kevin Baker stated that he needs to review the bill that is being drafted and maybe meet with Brent Webster and Jared Lanham to determine the practicality of incorporating some of the garbage and landlord eviction issues into the bill. The Chairman stated after the draft bill is complete, he would like for this committee to review it prior to being introduced for discussion purposes if possible, for the next E&R meeting. Bruce King asked about the status of the requiring businesses to have a can or dumpster. Kevin Baker said that he believes the City collector office was coordinating with the Refuse collection to try and figure out who was receiving services without paying. He stated that he believed that there should not be a problem with also including and addressing that issue in the current Bill being drafted. Caitlin Cook expressed that she believes there is a difference between someone maybe putting out trash early vs. a landlord eviction with huge piles of garbage, furniture etc. and something that should be taken into consideration as the bill is being drafted and the city’s response to each. After some discussion it was decided that the next E&R Meeting would be on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, 5:30PM (via zoom). There being no further concerns, questions or comments, the Chairman entertained a motion to adjourn. Naomi Bays made the motion. Caitlin Cook seconded. Meeting was adjourned Page | 4 of Page | 5 of