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, March 3, 2021. 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/89314466464?pwd=V0ZmVDMvem02N3ZWWHFFcWNKUWxndz09 Passcode: 645004 *Join via Telephone: (312) 626‐6799 or (929) 436‐2866 Webinar ID: 893 1446 6464 Agenda APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES 1. 2‐3‐2021 INTRODUCTION OF GREEN TEAM MEMBERS DISCUSSION OF RECYCLING RECOMMENDATIONS ADJOURNMENT JKB/jb Page | 1 of  MINUTES ENVIRONMENT & RECYCLING COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 3, 2021 – 5:30 PM- VIA REMOTE Committee Members Present: John Kennedy Bailey, Chair – Bruce King, Vice Chair Bobby Haas – Will Laird – Naomi Bays- Caitlin Cook Ben Adams Others Present: Mayor Goodwin – Kevin Baker – Councilman Joe Jenkins – Jane Bostic Jered Lanham – Mackenzie Spencer John Culbertson - Phil Breese w/ MSW Consultants John Kennedy Bailey, Chairman called the meeting to order. He entertained a motion to dispense with the reading of and approval of previous meeting minutes. Ben Adams made motion. Bobby Haas seconded. Minutes approved. The First Agenda Item: Bill No. 7894 -Adopt -A-Street Program. The Chairman deferred to Councilman Joe Jenkins for a brief synopsis of the Bill. Councilman Jenkins began by informing the Committee that the bill essentially mirrors the State administered Adopt-A-Highway program. He also said that he added a few requirements that the DEP had put together as part of the Adopt-A-Highway program to ensure it follows the State program exactly. Councilman Jenkins went on to say that the Director of Public Works working in conjunction with the Traffic Engineer would essentially administer the program. He stated that there would be some initial costs for materials, such as trash bags, disposable gloves etc. and hopes to work with the City administration as part of the new budget to get some kick-off funds to get started. Additionally, there would be costs going forward but is working with the appropriate City officials for their input associated with those costs. He also thanked the E&R Committee for their consideration of the Bill and recommends the passage. Chairman Bailey added that the Bill would complement the Clean-up/Team-up events that the current administration holds to make Charleston a cleaner and nicer place to live. The Chairman entertained a motion to Pass Bill No.7894. Will Laird made the motion. Bobby Haas seconded. There being no opposition, the Chairman declared Bill No.7894 Adopted. The Next Agenda Item: Presentation of Recycling Study Results. The Chairman gave the floor to MSW Consultants. The Committee was provided a copy of the Study and the consultants presented a detailed slide presentation. After the Consultants review the Chairman opened the floor for committee question or comments. Naomi Bays asked about pilot testing and if there were recommendations as to specific neighborhoods to test. John Culbertson responded there were not, but that it would be best to get a cross section of all neighborhood demographics including terrain. Page | 2 of  Ben Adams asked whether semi-automation would require purchasing of new trucks or could the current trucks be retrofitted. John Culberson said that with semi-automation it is possible to retrofit existing trucks and is relatively affordable, whereas full automation would require new equipment, which is quite expensive, but it could reduce labor costs. The Chairman recognized the Mayor for comments. The Mayor thanked the Consultants and City staff for their hard work and input. She stated that the study gave the City a good place to start towards achieving a robust recycling program and a strategic plan of action moving forward. Will Laird commented that realistically there was no money to be made in recycling even though it may be the morally right thing to do. He also expressed concern about the carbon footprint as we continue to truck our recycling to the Beckley facility. In addition, he asked about the costs associated with carts with full automation. John Culbertson responded it would depend solely on the City’s tolerance on how to finance and maintain them. Caitlin Cook asked going forward what the next step should be. The Chairman responded that he wants to continue to have this as a topic of discussion at our E&R meetings. He added that he would like at some point to meet with the City officials to talk about the practicality of implementing some of the recommendations the study provided. Additionally, he stated he hoped that with appointment of the Green Team members that they will be able to provide some valuable input to this committee. Will Laird asked about the future availability of the consultants for any additional help or input. John Culbertson said basically that if there is additional need or help, they can provide, they would be happy to have a conversation as to how that could be achieved as they are committed to serving their clients. Will Laird also mentioned that there were some presentation slides that were different from those contained in the report and asked if we had access to those. John Culbertson responded yes and that he would have them sent to Jane Bostic. There being no other questions or comments from the Committee, the Chairman again expressed his thanks to the Consultants and City Officials for their work in putting the study together and expects to have further and future conversations on moving forward. The Chairman entertained a motion to adjourn. Naomi Bays made motion. Bobby Haas Seconded. Meeting was adjourned. Page | 3 of Page | 4 of The next E&R Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 5:30 PM Page | 5 of Page | 6 of