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 John.kennedy.bailey@cityofcharleston.org 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, May 19, 2021. The meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 PM. THE MEETING WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA ZOOM *Join via internet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82896688665?pwd=bllrS0Q4dUdKSG1Ub3p1OGp2b1lXUT09 Passcode: 620887 *Join via Telephone: (312) 626‐6799 or (929) 436‐2866 Webinar ID: 828 9668 8665 Agenda APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES 1. 4‐17‐2021 DISCUSSION 1. Update on Green Team’s Last Meeting 2. Possible Energy Efficiency Audit on City Owned Buildings 3. Setting Up a Material Recoveries Facility in (or near) Charleston 4. Renewal of Recycling Services Agreement between the City of Charleston and the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority JKB/jb Page | 1 of Page | 2 of  ENVIRONMENT & RECYCLING COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 7, 2021 – 5:30 PM- VIA REMOTE Committee Members Present: John Kennedy Bailey, Chair - Ben Adams Naomi Bays -Caitlin Cook -Will Laird – Bobby Haas Others Present: Mayor Goodwin- Brent Webster – Jered Lanham – Mackenzie Spencer Emmett Pepper- Rod Watkins- Mike Davis w/Public Grounds 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. Naomi Bays made motion. Bobby Haas seconded. Minutes approved as written. The First agenda Item: Recycling Study Update - Discussion of Green Team Meeting. The Chairman turned the floor over to Emmett Pepper, who said that the initial Green Team meeting was an introductory type meeting. He mentioned that he appreciated the Mayor joining them. It was, he said an opportunity to get acquainted and had discussion on how the Team would work. He said that there was an agreement among the members that any communication would be in writing to the Mayor, Council etc. The Chairman asked If the team found any topic that they considered urgent. Mr. Pepper responded that, as expected it was Recycling. The Next Agenda Item: Discussion of Tree Planting/Replanting – The Chairman began by stating that the Public Grounds department does a great job around the City. He specifically wanted to know how the City approaches replaced trees and/or plantings. Mike Davis explained that every tree that must be replaced especially in the downtown streetscape area, West Side, East End, etc. are replaced every year and but some have not yet been replaced due to the fact they purchase new trees from a wholesale nursery in Ohio and due to Covid and traveling. He reiterated that they are scheduled to be replaced. Mike Davis went on to say that when trees in residential area are removed that the nearest homeowner has an option to replace or not. He added that they are also given a choice of a smaller type of tree, such as a maple, oak, or dogwood. He stated that approximately 98% of the residents opt to have the tree replaced. When asked why the homeowner as given a choice Mike Davis stated that he was unsure but that since he has been employed with the City that has been the case. Caitlin Cook asked about the removal of trees in downtown Quarrier street area. Mike Davis responded that most of those trees were taken out due to the brick revitalization in that area and tree roots causing an issue with the new brick and concrete being laid down. Mike Davis added that most all the trees in that area will be replaced when and where feasible. The Chairman asked about the budget for planting in other areas of the city, specifically Kanawha Boulevard. Mike Davis specially said that the Blvd. is a unique area in that a lot of that area has been set aside for memorial plantings and is done in conjunction the Municipal Beautification Commission and Public Grounds. Page | 3 of Caitlin Cook asked when it comes to disbursement of plants/flower beds, how does one go about getting something in a particular neighborhood. Mike Davis said the best way start would be to get in touch with the Municipal Beautification Commission either thru their meetings and/or in writing. Naomi stated that it would be helpful to get monthly updates from the Beautification Commission if possible. The Chairman stated he would be in touch with someone on the Commission to hopefully either invite someone to speak at our E&R meeting or perhaps possibly be a part of their meeting. The Next Agenda Item: Discussion of Possible Material Recovery Facility for Charleston/Kanawha County. The Chairman stated the goal would be to bring recycling back to Charleston. He said that he over the next month or so get some pricing on machinery/equipment costs, as well as building and /or rental costs. Rod Watkins told the Committee that the Slack Street shut down in part to safety concerns. He stated they had looked at sites all over the County and had at one time been in communication with the State to obtain a site which ultimately did not work out. He mentioned that there may be existing opportunities for building and has spoken to some in the recycling business regarding equipment, costs, etc. He added that whether building or leasing a space there would have to be cooperation with other municipalities in charging a tip fee to make the program feasible to operate. The Chairman stated that he would in the near future, like to meet with Rod Watkins, perhaps Brent Webster or any interested member to go over some of the specs, etc. The Chairman stated he wanted to touch on one other topic. He began by saying this Committee has no plan to try to automate or make any changes to garbage collection and stated that our interest is mainly recycling as it relates to retrofitting existing trucks versus the purchase of new trucks for the purposes of picking up recycling. Jered Lanham stated that the tipper can be retrofitted to an existing truck. He stated that the residents would first have to have standardized bins either paid for by them or the City. He added that he believes that adding the tipper to the existing trucks is all basically hydraulics and that in his opinion doing it now or later would not cost any more. Brent Webster reiterated Jered Lanham’s assessment and added that they currently collect recycling in a variety of ways, ie bags, bins which is working but as previously stated that a standard recycling bin would need to be provided to the residents. Ben Adams asked if the city mechanics would need any additional training with using the new tipper. Jered Lanham stated that there might be some minimal training which is usually hands-on training with the company installing. Jered Lanham added that if any member of this Committee had any questions or concerns or would like to meet him for any type of presentation to please contact him and we would be happy to accommodate. The Chairman asked if there were any further questions, comments, or concerns. There being none, The Chairman entertained a motion to adjourn. Will Laird made motion. Naomi Bays seconded. Meeting was adjourned. Page | 4 of Page | 5 of