1993/04/13 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council Minutes
April 13, 1993
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in regular
session commencing at 6:00 p.m. in the City Offices, 6750 Commerce
Boulevard, Rohnert Park, with Mayor Hollingsworth presiding.
CALL TO ORDER -Mayor Hollingsworth called the regular session to order at
approximately 6:55 p.m. and led the pledge of allegiance.
Mayor Hollingsworth advised that a closed session commenced this
evening at 6:00 p.m. to discuss litigation and personnel matters. He
said no action was taken and there was nothing to report at this time.
ROLL CALL Present: (4) Councilmembers Eck, Gallagher, Spiro and
Mayor Hollingsworth
Absent: (1) Councilmember Reilly (on vacation)
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager Netter,
City Attorney Flitner, Assistant to the City Manager Leivo, Director
of Public Works /City Engineer Brust and Recreation Director Pekkain.
Approval Upon motion by Councilmember Spiro, seconded by Councilmember Eck,
of the minutes of March 23, 1993 were unanimously approved as
Minutes submitted.
Approval Upon motion by Councilmember Eck, seconded by Councilmember Spiro,
of the bills presented per the attached list in the amount of
Bills $1,133,053.66 were unanimously approved.
Non- agendaed Mayor Hollingsworth queried if any Councilmenter had any non- agendaed
matters items to add to the agenda. Councilmember Spiro said Council needed
to discuss a response to ABAG's growth management proposal sometime
tonight and she had four other miscellaneous items to add. City
Manager Netter said there was an unscheduled proclamation prepared
for the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County.
Councilmember Spiro referenced the appointment to the Mobile Home
Parks Rent Appeals Board scheduled later on tonight's agenda. Ms.
Spiro said her nominee had another meeting she had to attend and
requested this item be handled at this time, prior to unscheduled
public appearances. Council concurred.
Appointment to Mobile Home Parks Rent Appeals Board to fill vacancy created by
resignation of Bill Avery - Councilmember Spiro introduced Susan C.
Aldeza as her nomination to the Rent Appeals Board. Ms. Spiro said
copies were provided to Council of Ms. Aldeza's Fact Sheet Application
for this vacancy.
Susan C. Aldeza, 6180 Country Club Drive, reviewed information included on her
above - referenced application, responded to Council questions
pertaining to her background experience, and confirmed her interest in
the Rent Appeals Board appointment.
Upon motion by Councilmember Spiro, seconded by Councilmember Eck, and
unanimously approved, Susan C. Aldeza was appointed to the Nbbile Home
Parks Rent Appeals Board effective Nbnday, April 19, 1993.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (2) April 13, 1993
Unscheduled Mayor Hollingsworth stated that in compliance with State Law (The
Public Brown Act), anyone in the audience who wished to make a comment may do
Appearances so at this time. In most cases under legislation of the new Brown
Act, the Council cannot handle an item without agendizing. To ensure
accurate recording, "Speaker Cards" are provided at the entrance of
the Chamber and unscheduled public appearances are requested to fill
out the cards and present to recording clerk.
In response to Mayor's consent to com ent at this time, City Attorney
Flitner acknowledged the presence of Lou Beary in the audience and
receipt of copies from W. Beary of certain materials including crime
photos. Mr. Flitner said W. Beary had signified interest to comment
on the referenced photos at this Council meeting. City Attorney
Flitner explained that it was not the intent to impede W. Beary's
investigation but the City Council meeting is not the place to
investigate Mr. Beary's personal matter regarding his daughter's
suicide. City Attorney Flitner stated it was necessary to stand by the
previous ruling made at last week's Town Hall Weting and said, if a
person is not satisfied with local law enforcement procedures, issues
of concern can be referred to another agency but this Council has no
authority in such matters. The Mayor, City Attorney and City Manager
responded to W. Beary's inquiry with confirmation that the above
referenced material had been reviewed by the Department of Public
Safety and forwarded to the District Attorney.
Sonoma County Volunteers /National Volunteer Week - Mayor Hollingsworth referenced
copies provided to Council of unscheduled proclamation prepared
honoring Sonoma County's volunteers and declaring April 18 through 23,
1993 as National Volunteer Week. This information was received after
the agenda for tonight's Council meeting was finalized and printed.
PROCLAMATION
IN HONOR OF SONOMD' COUNTY'S VOLUNTEERS AND DECLARING APRIL 18 -24, 1993
AS "NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK"
A motion was made by Councilmember Gallagher, seconded by
Councilmember Eck, and unanimously approved, declaring this
proclamation an emergency item,
Upon motion by Councilmember Gallagher, seconded by Councilmember Eck,
and unanimously approved, the proclamation honoring Sonoma County's
Volunteers and declaring April 18 -24, 1993 as "National Volunteer
Week" was adopted.
Brenda Adelman, P. O. Box 501, Guerneville, Ca., Chair of Russian River Watershed
Protection Committee, distributed to Council said Committee Report on
Proposed Basin Plan Amendment. She said the referenced report was a
presentation to the Regional Water Quality Control Board requesting
that the Regional Board not amend the Basin Plan's waste discharge
prohibitions. She reviewed contents therein pertaining to the
concerns as outlined in the report.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (3) April 13, 1993
David McCall, 8458 Liberty Avenue, said he was the person who circulated the
petition on behalf of the neighbors of LaFiesta School requesting
safety measures at and near the intersection of Lindsay and Liberty
Avenues. He distributed copies to Council of diagram signifying the
safety measures as requested including specified crosswalk on Lindsay
Avenue, installation of "School Crossing" and "Speed Limit" signs, and
placement of reflective lane markers in the center of the street on
the corner of Liberty and Lindsay.
City Manager Netter advised that this item was scheduled later on
tonight's agenda under scheduled public appearances. Discussion
followed during which Council expressed concerns regarding the false
security of crosswalks even with stop signs, especially without the
aid of crossing guards. Agreement with City Engineer regarding same
was confirmed. Comparisons were made with recent similar discussions
regarding request for stop signs at intersection near Monte Vista
School which concluded in recommendation for use of portable stop sign.
Harvey Bell, 700 Lindsay Avenue, said he lives next to the referenced location and
and, from his observation of all the students in that area, expressed
support of the necessity of crosswalks, speed limit signs and speed
bumps. Mr. Bell said even though it is questionable whether or not
crosswalks stop accidents, he strongly encouraged putting up the signs
and effectively marking lanes to be identifiable.
Barbara Mackenzie, 1536 Gladstone Way, read contents of her written comments
expressing concern regarding headline stories involving Rohnert Park
in both Saturday and Sunday 's Press Democrat Empire News. Speaking as
Chair of the General Plan Advisory Committee, Ms. Mackenzie pointed
out that there are many reasonable people in the community that are in
between the "camps" that are getting all the press and not allied with
either the "good old boys" and those calling the "good old boys"
corrupt. She reviewed reasons she opposed the Roger /Condiotti
annexation proposal which included costs to the city's stressed
budget, wastewater capacity, Williamson Act protection of agricultural
land, but mostly because of short -term planning versus the need of
taking a long -term view of what the General Plan should be. Ms.
Mackenzie said residents are looking for leadership on the City
Council that takes the direction of long -term planning with provisions
for permanent greenbelt designations, alternative and creative
transportation and housing solutions, and offer a government that is
open to all citizens that is not reactive and defensive.
Ben Friedman, 7323 College View Drive #501, distributed to Council copies of his
letter dated April 13, 1993 with attachment of Chapter 49 of the San
Francisco Administrative Code regarding security deposits for
residential rental property. Mr. Friedman shared contents therein of
his letter expressing concern about the rights of renters related to
interest on security deposits. He urged the City Council to initiate
a program for tenants in the community to get interest on their
security deposits, or last month rent, or a combination of both.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (4) April 13, 1993
NLayor Hollingsworth responded that he did not know the rules for the
City of Rohnert Park as compared to San Francisco relating to
authority legalities of interest on security deposits. He requested
City Attorney Flitner to review the matter and provide information
regarding same for consideration at the next City Council meeting.
There being no one further desiring to speak under unscheduled public
appearances, Mayor Hollingsworth closed public comments at
approximately 7:26 p.m.
C O N S E N T C A L E N D A R
Mayor Hollingsworth queried if anyone had any questions regarding the
matters on the Consent Calendar which were explained in the City
Manager's Council Meeting Memo.
Acknowledging the City Manager /Clerk's report on the posting of the
agenda.
Resolutions:
No.93 -26 A RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT (RE- ROOFING THE MECHANICS SHOP AT
PUBLIC WORKS CORPORATION YARD AND REPAIRING THE WOOD SHINGLE ROOF
COVERING THE CONMdVITY CENTER)
N0.93 -27 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK APPROVING
AN UPDATED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY (Police &
fire Services)
No. 93-28 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING COMPLETION AND DIRECTING CITY ENGINEER TO FILE
NOTICE OF COMPLETION, MAGNOLIA PARK - PHASE I, PROTECT NO. 1989 -14
No. 93-29 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
PROCLAIMING NAY 2 - 8, 1993 "VICTIMS OF PORNOGRAPHY WEEK"
No. 93-30 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
PROCLAIMING APRIL 11 - 17, 1993 AS "NATIONAL TELECOMH.INICATORS WEEK."
No. 93-31 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
PROCLAIMING APRIL 22, 1993 "EARTH DAY"
Upon motion by Councilmember Spiro, seconded by Councilmember Eck, and
unanimously approved, the Consent Calendar as outlined on the
meeting's agenda was approved.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (5) April 13, 1993
Scheduled 1) KRCB -TV, Channel 22, Nancy Dobbs, President /CEO, regarding land
Public purchase proposal - City Manager Netter said copies were provided
Appearances: to Council of letter dated March 15, 1993 regarding this matter as
reviewed in the Council Meeting Memo. Mr. Netter introduced KRCB -TV,
Channel 22 President Nancy Dobbs to share comments regarding same.
Nancy Dobbs shared contents of her referenced letter confirming
Channel 22's need to make a number of long term decisions regarding
its facility in the near future. She said with the new composition of
the City Council, it seemed wise to ascertain the Council's continued
interest in considering the sale of City land to KRCB on which the
station is currently located.
Discussion followed during which Council expressed differing opinions
regarding the logic of consideration to sell City land, as reviewed
previously. City Manager Netter said copies were also provided to
Council of August 25, 1992 City Council meeting minutes regarding the
previous review of this matter. Council concluded the necessity of a
Council Committee meeting to further review details needing
consideration regarding this matter and directed City Manager to
schedule same including Council Committee Members Hollingsworth and
Eck, City Manager Netter, and KRCB representative Nancy Dobbs.
2) Sonoma County Associates for Youth Development (SCAYD) - Cecelia Belle,
Director of SCAYD referenced brochures provided to Council regarding
the Second Annual Cotati - Rohnert Park 24 -Hour Relay Challenge to be
held May 22 -23, 1993 and shared comments regarding this effort to
celebrate community commitment to youth. She updated Council on
the SCAYD program and responded to various Council questions regarding
same confirming that this program was basically the same as last year.
Ms. Belle invited the Mayor to help in the opening ceremonies and
invited all Councilmembers to participate in the 24 Hour Relay
Challenge and said she would call the City Manager's office next week
to check on participation responses from the Council.
3) Patty Coe representing Committee for Fourth of July Event -
requesting waiver of fee for use of stadium - In the absence of Patty
Coe who was unable to attend tonight's meeting, City Manager Netter
referenced copies provided to Council of her letter dated March 29,
1993 regarding this matter. He shared contents therein as reviewed
in the Council Meeting Memo. City Manager Netter and Recreation
Director Pekkain responded to various Council questions confirming
that the stadium fees are considered on a case by case evaluation; the
stadium fee was waived last year for this Fourth of July event along
with Council approval of $5,000 contribution for financial assistance,
i.e. seed money; this Committee is now a separate entity and no longer
part of the Founders Days Committee; and the Fourth of July Event
Committee's promotional efforts this year include proposed ticket
sales for the event as compared to no ticket sales last year.
Discussion followed during which Council compared opinions pertaining
to the logic of waiving stadium fees if an event has ticket sales
versus the advantage of this particular event proceeding without
further financial assistance from the City. Council also raised the
question pertaining to distribution of excess funds. Council
concurred it would be appropriate to defer this item to the next
Council meeting for further review and consideration following receipt
of additional information from Fourth of July Event Committee
responding to concerns expressed during tonight's discussion.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (6) April 13, 1993
4) Neighbors of LaFiesta School petition requesting safety measures at
and near intersection of Lindsay Avenue and Liberty Avenue - Reference
was made to copies provided to Council of the referenced petition, as
well as to comments made earlier tonight during unscheduled public
appearances. Further discussion followed regarding the complexities
involved related to false security of painted crosswalks without the
added protection of actual crossing guards to assist in stopping
traffic; the need for students to have some kind of obvious guidelines
to follow; as well as the need to work with the School District for
solutions to these safety problems via the possible development of a
city -wide program for all schools. Council acknowledged creation of
the Communications Coordinating Committee at the recent joint meeting
with the School District and concurred that these concerns related to
the need for traffic control measures and school crossing guards
should be deferred to said Committee for further review and
consideration toward possible solutions. City Manager Netter
confirmed he would contact School Superintendent Walt Buster and make
arrangements to proceed accordingly.
Appointment to mobile Home Parks Rent Appeals Board to fill vacancy created by Bill
Avery resignation (Councilmember Spiro's nomination) - This item was
handled at the opening of tonight's Council meeting resulting in the
appointment of Susan C. Aldeza, 6180 Country Club Drive, to fill this
vacancy on the Mobile Home Parks Rent Appeals Board.
Resolution A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COLUCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK TO
No.93 -32 ENCOLRAGE DIVERSITY IN SEEKING AND APPOINTING QUALIFIED APPLICANTS FOR
CITY POSITIONS
Council Committee Members Dawna Gallagher and Linda Spiro explained
the resolution for consideration and responded to Council questions
regarding same. Discussion followed.
Upon motion by Councilmember Eck, seconded by Councilmember Spiro, and
unanimously approved, reading of Resolution No. 93 -32 was waived and
said resolution was adopted.
Composting /yard waste Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) Update - City manager Netter
referenced copies of staff report dated Narch 17, 1993 by Assistant to
the City - Manager Leivo regarding update on the Sonoma County Waste
Management Agency Joint Powers Agreement for woodwaste and composting.
Mr. Leivo shared contents of the referenced staff report which were
also outlined in the Council Meeting Memo and responded to Council
questions regarding same.
Councilwoman Gallagher distributed to Council copies of her letter
*dated April 13, 1993 with attachments of various articles pertaining
to backyard composting and waste prevention which included articles
from Local Government Commission Reports dated March 1993, "The
Western City" League of California Cities magazine dated April 1993,
and Sonoma County E.I.R. publication dated April 12, 1993. She shared
contents of her referenced letter explaining reasons per information
in the attachments for requesting Council to reconsider its previous
direction to City JPA representative Carl Leivo to vote "yes" on the
*CORRECTION matter as she thought he should vote "no ", or at least abstain.
from 4/27/93 Council meeting: insert "copy attached to original set of these minutes"
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (7) April 13, 1993
Councilmember Gallagher asked Council to consider her above- reviewed
letter as her motion for Council to direct City JPA representative
Leivo to vote "no" on the referenced contract for the
Woodwaste /Composting Agreement with Sonoma Compost /Empire Waste
Management. Said motion died for lack of a second.
`Discussion followed during which Council expressed varied opinions and
'CORRECTION from concerns regarding this matter.
x/27/93 Council meeting: include Councilman Eck's statement that documents related to a
,ouncilmember's Assistant to the City Manager Leivo (JPA City representative)
:oncern should be acknowledged the extensive procedure through which the JPA has come to
)rovided for reach the current point of progress as reviewed in his above -
.ouncil review referenced staff report. Mr. Leivo responded to Council inquiry that
)rior to a Council it was his understanding that it would be inappropriate at this level
neeting rather to review discussions he has had with the Grand Jury regarding this
:han dealing with matter as such content is to remain confidential. He said procedures
surprise presenta- have been reviewed by County Counsel very carefully which has guided
;ions during the JPA through the process resulting in the JPA correctly following
.ouncil meetings. and abiding by the terms as stipulated with conclusion by Agency
Members that they have continued with a correct process for selecting
a contract.
Council Committee Member Eck commented on the extensive background
time and effort involved over a period of several years that it has
taken to come to the current point of progress in this matter.
A motion was made by Councilmember Eck, seconded by Councilmember
Spiro, to move ahead with composting /yard waste Joint Powers Agreement
as previously directed with affirmative vote for agreement with Sonoma
Compost /Empire Waste Management and direct staff to continue to
negotiate accordingly, and approved by the following vote:
AYES: (3) Councilmembers Eck, Spiro and Mayor Hollingsworth
NOES: (1) Councilmember Gallagher
ABSENT: (1) Councilmember Reilly
Parks and Recreation matters (carried over from 3/23/93):
1) Rohnert Park Swim Club - H Pool office space & storage shed request
Recreation Director Pekkain referenced plans on display and said
copies were provided to Council of staff report regarding the Swim
Club's request for office space and storage shed at H Pool. He shared
contents therein as reviewed in the Council Meeting Memo confirming
Parks and Recreation Commission approval of the request. City Manager
Netter, Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brust and Recreation
Director Pekkain responded to various Council questions pertaining to
details of this proposal as outlined in the referenced staff reports.
Upon motion by Councilmember Eck, seconded by Councilmember Spiro,
Rohnert Park Swim Club's request for office space and storage shed at
H Pool, as approved by Parks and Recreation Commission and recommended
by staff, including wood structure to match surrounding decor, was
unanimously approved.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (8) April 13, 1993
2) Rohnert Park Swim Club request to display sponsors plaques on exterior
wall of pump room at H Pool - Recreation Director Pekkain said copies
were provided to Council of staff report regarding this matter
signifying Parks and Recreation Commission approval of the sponsor
plaques as requested. He shared contents therein, as reviewed in the
Council Meeting Memo, and responded to various Council questions
regarding same.
Lee Rosichan, 842 Lilac Way, representative of the Swim Club, displayed example of
the hand - painted, wooden plaque replica of the Swim Club's mascot, a
pirahna. He further explained the Swim Club's proposal regarding
the "gold medal" sponsorship confirming details of above - reviewed
staff report.
Upon motion by Councilmember Spiro, seconded by Councilmember
Gallagher, the Swim Club's request to display sponsor plaques on
exterior wall of pump room at H Pool as recommended by the Parks and
Recreation Commission, was unanimously approved.
3) Recreation Facilities Use Policy and Fees - City Manager Netter
referenced copies provided to Council of staff report regarding this
matter and shared contents therein, as reviewed in the Council Meeting
Memo, confirming Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation for
Council approval of fees for the recreation facilities. Mr. Netter
said Council my want to consider a public hearing at the Parks and
Recreation Commission level prior to Council's consideration of final
approval regarding same. City Manager Netter and Recreation Director
Pekkain responded to various Council questions pertaining to the
proposed policy and fees for the various recreational facilities.
A motion was made by Councilmember Eck, seconded by Councilmember
Spiro, and unanimously approved, directing the Parks and Recreation
Commission to hold a public hearing for recreation facility user fees
prior to Council consideration of final review and approval.
1993 -94 Budget Update (carried over from 3/23/93) - City Manager Netter referenced
copies provided to Council of memorandum dated March 22nd, 1993 from
Finance Director Harrow outlining preliminary budget numbers with
certain assumptions being made. He shared comments as reviewed in the
Council Meeting Memo and responded to various council questions
regarding same confirming that the budget still shows a $1.67 million
deficit even if the signified transfers for infrastructure maintenance
and additional recreational facilities are, again, not set aside as
was done last year in order to help balance the 1992 -93 budget.
Copies were also provided to Council of a list of mandates /extractions
taken from the City of Rohnert Park for 1992 -93 and projected for
1993 -94, as well as copies of City of Rohnert Park - State /County
Financial ItYpacts, 1991 -92 through 1993 -94 (est). City Manager Netter
said Council may want to hold early budget work sessions to discuss
the proposed deficits and consider direction on policy of pursuing_
other taxes or proceeding with certain program cuts.
Lengthy discussion ensued during which Council shared differing
opinions pertaining to procedures for receiving public input related
to budget concerns. Comments included recommendation of forming a
citizens committee compared to disapproval of same because of
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (9) April 13, 1993
disadvantages of adding another layer of bureaucracy to an already
tedious effort, especially since all Council meetings, including such
budget work sessions, are open and everyone is invited to attend.
Concerns were expressed pertaining to the obvious need for additional
revenues to meet budget deficits, thus confirming the necessity for
public participation and input for recommendations toward possible
solutions prior to any further taxation on citizens, such as pursuit
of assessment district for lighting, etc. Council agreed budget work
sessions should proceed earlier than usual this year in order to allow
sufficient time to adequately deal with the need for revenue increases
and /or program cuts.
A motion was made by Councilmember Eck, seconded by Mayor
Hollingsworth, and unanimously approved, to duly notice and schedule a
budget work session to review revenue options at 5:00 p.m. prior to
the next regular City Council meeting on April 27, 1993.
RECESS Mayor Hollingsworth declared a recess at approximately 8:22 p.m.
RECONVENE Mayor Hollingsworth reconvened the Council meeting at approximately
8:30 p.m. with all Councilmembers present except for Councilmember
Reilly.
Resolution A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
No.93 -33 SUPPORTING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA
GOVERNMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED CUTS IN LOCAL FUNDS BY THE
STATE LEGISLATURE
City Manager Netter explained the resolution for consideration as
reviewed in the Council Meeting Memo.
Upon motion by Councilmember Spiro, seconded by Councilmember
Gallagher, and unanimously approved, reading of Resolution No. 93 -33
was waived and said resolution was adopted.
League of California Cities - Legislative Analyst Report
Councilmember Spiro said copies were provided to Council of draft
final report dated March 26, 1993 from League of California
Cities /California State Association of Counties, of which she is a
member of said Revenue and Taxation Committee. She shared contents
therein, including comnents as reviewed in the Council Meeting Memo,
and responded to various Council questions regarding same. Ms. Spiro
said, when finalized, the report would be sent to the Governor and
requested Council comments and recommendations during tonight's
discussion be prepared in written form over the Mayor's signature in
order to have something specific to support at the next Revenue and
Taxation Committee meeting. Council agreed. Recommendations included
sending the message to reduce spending with suggestion to return to
part -time legislators with two- thirds salary reduction; during the
next four years, reduce all mandates, bills and laws on the books and
not establish any new laws or taxes unless absolutely necessary; and,
regarding infrastructure, remind the State of the need for a state-
wide growth management program. Suggestion was made that the
referenced letter be brief and written with "bullet" messages
for clarity and effectiveness.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (10) April 13, 1993
COYF (Committee on Youth & Families)
1.a) Human Services report - Councilmember Spiro referenced recent COYF
meeting held on Monday, March 15, 1993 with guests Linda Branscomb and
George Horwedel regarding their proposal for a Human Services
Committee. Ms. Spiro said details of this meeting were adequately
reviewed in the Council Meeting Memo which concluded in recommendation
that Linda Branscomb and George Horwedel continue to participate in
COYF meetings rather than give further consideration to the formation
of a new committee. She said COYF is not a political organization and
was never set up with that intention. Councilmember Spiro gave the
example, as a comparison, of sitting on other boards whereby her role
was simply that of being a liaison representative. Ms. Spiro
confirmed COYF would be meeting again in July.
City Manager Netter said copies were also provided to Council of staff
memo dated March 22, 1993 from Youth and Family Services Manager James
Park regarding proposal to solicit outside agencies and private non-
profits to utilize the COYF Center. Mr. Netter shared contents
therein as reviewed in the Council Mbeting Memo. He advised that two
other requests have also been received for use of the COYF area, since
relocation of the Community Resource Specialist to the Northern
Station, including expansion of the Senior Center and the Finance
Department's request to relocate the Utilities Department from City
Hall in order to have better control of this operation. City Manager
recommended that Jim Park's solicitation letter be sent out to see how
many agencies would be interested in space and providing services in
Rohnert Park.
Linda Branscomb, 21 Anne, confirmed her attendance at the above - referenced COYF
meeting held on March 15th. She said she believed the concept of COYF
is good and that all governments should be providing such services.
She complimented the efforts of staff related to COYF and shared
reasons she believed the membership should be expanded to include any
number of interested participants with clear areas of responsibility,
but felt appointments should be made like all other City commissions
in order to work successfully. Ms. Branscomb gave the example of her
participation on the County Transportation, Committee, said ex- officio
members could be established where residency is a factor, but said a
commission that only meets quarterly is not going to be viable as too
much time elapses between meetings to solve the funding problems. She
shared further recommendations pertaining to COYF, such as the need to
identify initiatives, whereby COYF could be even more valuable to the
community. Ms. Branscomb said she had contacted Washington for
information related to Human Services and when she receives that
information, she would be able to review this matter further.
George Horwedel, 7669 Camino Colegio, also confirmed his attendance at the above -
referenced COYF meeting on March 15th and read lengthy report
expressing his concerns regarding same. Numerous concerns included
comments related to spending cuts with reminder to President of
disbursement of funds to benefit local citizens more and the Governor
should place higher priority on local spending versus national. He
expressed concerns about the existence of the Housing Task Force
coming to a close and did not appreciate combining efforts with COYF.
He thought COYF's infrequent meetings and method of keeping minutes
were too casual to be an effective approach for the multiple human
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (11) April 13, 1993
service needs. Mr. Horwedel also shared several concerns related to
the survey and said he did not think enough time was allowed for the
survey mailed in late April and asked to be returned by late May. His
additional concerns about the survey included previous acknowledgment
of disappointment in the content, uncertain costs pertaining to return
postage and staff time, and General Plan Committee might have been
interested in participation in the effort. Mr. Horwedel said he
thought Rohnert Park needs COYF to have more active meetings but also
needs the Housing Task Force to continue as a separate committee. He
felt there are many wonderful projects avail -able that could involve
the efforts of both committees.
1.b) COYF Sub- Committee/Volunteer Center - Mayor Hollingsworth consented to
Councilmember Gallagher's request to review the COYF item listed on
tonight's agenda under matters from Council at this time. City
Manager Netter said copies were provided to Council of staff memo
dated April 13, 1993 from Youth and Family Services Manager Jim Park
regarding Volunteer Center update and recommendation for a steering
committee to work toward making a volunteer Center a reality in
Rohnert Park.
Councilwoman Gallagher expressed her opinions on COYF and asked that
the Volunteer Center not be under COYF and that a separate committee
be formed of which she wants to a part. If the Volunteer Center mast
be under COYF, then she requests consideration for being on the COYF
Sub-Committee.
Discussion followed during which Councilmember Spiro responded that
quite a few of the things Mr. Horwedel said really felt unpleasant.
She explained that the survey initially started out from *Cecelia
Belle's SCAYD program then subsequently became a Healthy Cities
Project which was funded by a grant. It never came back to COYF for
further review and no one was happy with it. The Mayor pointed out
that college students undertook the survey project themselves and
proceeded without further review with originators. Councilmember
Spiro said the students should have reported back to COYF before
*CORRECTION
proceeding with the survey, which was unfortunate, because she thought
from 4/27/93
it basically ended up being a wasted effort.
Council meeting: Survey initially started from COYF and Cecelia Belle
was on the Councilmember Spiro reviewed the original establishment of the COYF
COYF Committee
when the
Committee and said it was a group of grass roots people who were
survey was
not interested in political appointment, which was not necessary,
initiated.
because they were working together in unity combining their particular
concerns and talents. Meeting on a monthly basis is not necessary for
overseeing various needs of the community, but rather each COYF
member's expertise is available clearly on a voluntary basis. The
COYF Committee is responsible for hiring the Community Resource
Specialist, Kathy Vander Vennet, to help meet these needs.
Councilmember Spiro pointed out that no one is stopping anyone from
proceeding with an idea and she thought George Horwedel and Linda
Branscomb have perfectly wonderful ideas and, therefore, if it is
their heart's desire for a program, then that is the direction of
interest they should pursue to help meet that particular need in the
community, even as others are contributing their time and effort
toward other needs. The needs of the community should be the
uppermost concern of everyone involved but the system does not need to
be changed in order to go out and do what needs to be done.
1.b) COYF Sub- Committee/Volunteer Center - Mayor Hollingsworth consented to
Councilmember Gallagher's request to review the COYF item listed on
tonight's agenda under matters from Council at this time. City
Manager Netter said copies were provided to Council of staff memo
dated April 13, 1993 from Youth and Family Services Manager Jim Park
regarding Volunteer Center update and recommendation for a steering
committee to work toward making a volunteer Center a reality in
Rohnert Park.
Councilwoman Gallagher expressed her opinions on COYF and asked that
the Volunteer Center not be under COYF and that a separate committee
be formed of which she wants to a part. If the Volunteer Center mast
be under COYF, then she requests consideration for being on the COYF
Sub-Committee.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (12) April 13, 1993
Discussion followed during which Councilmember Spiro disagreed with
the need to create a separate committee for this effort and said the
people interested in the development of a volunteer center in Rohnert
Park should just do it. Ms. Spiro reviewed recent comnmications
with Karen Johnson, Executive Director of the Volunteer Center of
Sonoma County, who confirmed that she does not want the Volunteer
Center to be a political issue. Further discussion ensued relating to
differing opinions regarding this matter concluding in Council
concurrence to invite Volunteer Center Executive Director Karen
Johnson to an upcoming Council meeting to review the matter directly.
2) Rohnert Park Youth & Family Services Annual Report 1992 - City Manager
Netter said this report, as reviewed in the Council Meeting Memo, was
provided to Council for its review and information listing all the
programs provided in this department.
Sound /Noise Ordinance (as it relates to golf course) - City Manager Netter said
copies were provided to Council of memorandum dated April 6, 1993 from
City Attorney Flitner regarding mowers on the golf course /sound
reduction. He shared comments as reviewed in the Council Meeting Mecca
regarding this matter including the two options as outlined in the
referenced memo from City Attorney for Council's consideration.
Discussion followed during which Council expressed varied concerns
related to this matter. Council confirmed that this issue had been
reviewed previously, that efforts included working with American Golf
toward stopping the noise of miscellaneous activities, but that,
apparently, the matter was still unresolved.
A motion was made by Councilmenier Spiro, seconded by Councilmember
Gallagher, and unanimously approved, to schedule a public hearing at
the next Council meeting for consideration of amending the Sound/Noise
Ordinance related to the golf course matter.
Al Barr, 5746 Dexter Circle, reviewed several reasons why he did not believe
changing the noise start up time on the golf course would resolve the
problem. tvtc. Bard- said he had lived at this location for 14 years and
there was no problem with excessive noise prior to 1990. Since that
time there has been additional noise from the maintenance yard,
especially related to a specific piece of equipment, as well as
excessive noise on the driving range as early as 4:30 a.m. He did not
think amending the Sound Ordinance toward more leniency was the
answer. Mr. Barr responded to various Council questions related to
this matter and confirmed participation in a meeting with American
Golf General Manager Jack Anderson, afterwhich the golf course was
quiet for months. Since that time, however, the previously described
noise started up again about the end of last November. Further
attempts at comcunications regarding the matter have been to no avail.
Discussion followed during which City Manager Netter confirmed that
staff has met with American Golf representatives regarding these
concerns with some progress being made but not to complete
satisfaction. Council agreed the matter may not need consideration of
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (13) April 13, 1993
the proposed ordinance amendment, as previously reviewed, but that
Golf Course Council Liaison Member Hollingsworth should be involved in
communications regarding this matter.
A motion was made by Councilmember Eck, seconded by Councilmember
Spiro, and unanimously approved, rescinding the previous motion and
directing the Golf Course Council Committee to meet with staff, Mr. Al
Barr and American Golf representatives to review possible solutions to
the above- reviewed noise on the golf course.
Transportation matters:
1) Bicycle Advisory Committee recommendations - Director of Public
Works /City Engineer Brust referenced plans on display and said copies
were provided to Council of memorandum dated March 11, 1993 regarding
Bicycle Advisory Committee recommendations. He shared comments as
reviewed in the Council Meeting Memo and responded to various Council
questions regarding same pointing out that the only problem he had
was with removing parking on both Country Club Drive and Snyder Lane
for these bike paths to be created at this time. Mr. Brust said it
would be impracticable to consider a bike lane in the middle against
the greenbelt.
Jake Mackenzie, 1536 Gladstone Way, Chairperson of Bicycle Advisory Committee, said
the Committee is taking this effort very seriously and making the
recommendations with the realization of funding limitations. He said
the recommendations are being presented to at least start focusing
Council's attention on bikes as a real source of transportation.
Mr. Mackenzie referred to ISTEA goals and the possibilities of
investigating the utilization of available transportation funding.
He agreed the parking concerns are justified and that the public would
obviously have something to say about this. He said, however, that
the Bicycle Committee is hoping to adopt some goals as reflected in
its recommendations and desires to have these priorities as part of an
updated master plan to be included in the General Plan update.
Discussion followed during which Council reviewed the complexities
related to this matter including budget constraints and residential
parking provisions. City Engineer Brust responded to further Council
questions including example of previous unsuccessful attempt to remove
parking on Lancaster for a bicycle lane. Council agreed it would be
necessary to receive public input if consideration is given to the
Bicycle Advisory Committee's recommendation of removing the referenced
parking on both sides of Country Club Drive from Southwest Boulevard
to Fairway Drive.
2) Roberts Lake Road Park & Ride Lot - no reimbursement by Caltrans
City Manager Netter said copies were provided to Council of letter
dated March 23, 1993 from California Department of Transportation
regarding no reimbursement by Caltrans for the Roberts Lake Road Park
and Ride lot. He said this was provided to Council for informational
purposes as reviewed in the Council Meeting Memo.
3) Letter to Congresswoman Woolsey re. Hwy 101/Rohnert Park Express -way
Park & Ride Lot - City Manager Netter explained copies provided to
Council of the referenced draft letter prepared for the Mayor's
signature, if Council concurs, as reviewed in the Council Meeting Memo
and recommended by City Engineer Brust. Council concurred.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (14)
April 13, 1993
4) County of Sonoma joining the North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) -
City Manager Netter referenced various copies provided to Council
pertaining to this matter, as reviewed in the Council Meeting Memo,
including staff report with attachments regarding Sonoma County
Transportation Authority (SCTA) meeting of April 5, 1993; Argus
Courier article dated April 7, 1993 entitled "County joins rail
authority; letter dated March 29, 1993 from North Coast Railroad
Authority; and letter dated March 12, 1993 from Allan Hemphill,
President of Vinwrood Management, Inc. requesting City's support for
the early acquisition of the rail line. Council action related to
this matter proceeded as follows:
a) SCTA request for cities approval - Councilmember Eck reviewed
details of the above - referenced SCTA meeting and confirmed his
affirmative vote pertaining to the County's unanimous approval to join
the North Coast Rail Authority. He recommended Council concurrence to
respond to SCTA's request for cities approval via an appropriate
support letter. Council concurred.
b) Letter requesting City's support for the early acquisition of
rail line from Alan Hemphill, President of Vinwood Management, Inc. -
City Manager Netter shared contents of the referenced letter.
Discussion followed during which Council concurred support and that a
joint letter could be written combining its above- reviewed response to
SCTA with this response.
5) Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) Budget - request for
Council approval - Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brust
reviewed comments as outlined in his staff report regarding SCTA's
submittal of two (2) budget proposals. City Engineer Brust and
Councilmember Eck commented on the two budget proposals with the
difference being that Proposal #2 keeps certain ISTEA and AB434 funds
in reserve and there was some concern regarding an approximate amount
of $70,000 being available for undesignated projects. City Engineer
Brust and Councilman Eck concluded that they both agreed with
preference to Proposal #1. Council concurred.
Comnmications - Communication per the attached outline were brought to the
attention of the City Council. No action was taken unless
specifically noted in these minutes.
Councilmember Spiro referenced item #9 on Communications from the
Ministerial Association opposing proposed performance of abortions at
Planned Parenthood clinic and recommended at least a response thanking
them for their interest because it was apparent that a lot of thought
and effort went into the preparation of the resolution contained in
the letter. She recommended at the same time, however, that maybe the
City Attorney could prepare a response in a nice way explaining
separation of church and state. Mayor Hollingsworth responded that he
thought that was put in writing previously and addressed by City
Attorney at the recent Town Hall Meeting.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (15) April 13, 1993
Councilmember Gallagher referred to the Consent Calendar item
regarding the updated job description for the Director of Public
Safety and asked about the duties being spelled out more clearly and
if the May 7 deadline might be too soon now for tonight's revisions to
the job description. City Manager Netter reviewed reasons for a more
generic job description relating to actual or equivalent experience in
efforts to open it up to obtain a broader range of experienced
applicants. He said those interested in the position can obtain
updated job descriptions at any time and the various details of such
descriptions are not usually that relevant to the particular
applicants. Even so, is it the City's decision to extend the time
period, if necessary.
City Manager Netter referenced items #4 and $5 on Com ninications from
Elgar Hill and LSA Associates, Inc. respectively regarding proposals
for Laguna Apartments Focused Environmental Inpact Report (FEIR)
and said these proposals would be placed on the next Council agenda.
City Manager Netter referenced item #10 on Communications from
Virginia L. Jansen regarding "History Room" recommendation and asked
if Council had suggestions regarding this matter as he would like to
prepare a letter responding to same. Suggestions included placing the
information in the upcoming Crane Melon Bulletin, proceed with an
outreach for a volunteer in similar fashion of seeking interested
applicants for commission appointments, and possibly post the
information on bulletin boards like the Library.
City Manager Netter referenced item #21 on Comtunication from Sonoma
County Library regarding financial statements for fiscal year ended
June 30, 1992 and pointed out that Councilmember Reilly is the liaison
to the Library and there is now a new Director for the Library.
Council agreed that Councilmember Reilly should invite the new
Director to come to a Council meeting and introduce himself following
the sub - committee meeting with Councilmember Reilly.
City Manager's report:
1) Veterans Memorial Building - City Manager Netter referenced copies
provided to Council of his letter response dated April 5, 1993 to
George Williams, Commander of Post 3237 V.F.W. regarding request for a
Veterans Memorial Building and shared comments as reviewed in the
Council Meeting Memo. Discussion followed regarding current budget
restraints, previous discussions relating to this request, and Council
concurrence with Councilmember Eck's consent to meet with Commander
Williams to review this matter accordingly.
2) Proposed impact fee ordinance - City Manager Netter referenced copies
provided to Council of his letter dated NLarch 26, 1993 to Margaret
Sohagi authorizing her to review the City's annexation fee ordinance
and to draft a new inpact fee ordinance. He said this was previously
discussed by the City Manager and City Attorney and was provided for
Council's information and concurrence. Council concurred.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (16) April 13, 1993
3) Meeting with Representatives Marks & Bronshvag - City Manager Netter
said a meeting has been scheduled with Senator Milton Marks and
Assemblywoman Vivien Bronshvag for this Friday, April 23rd, 1993 at
10:00 a.m, in Petaluma. Primary discussion will be regarding city
budgets and strategy to stop the State from extracting funds from
local governments. Several City Managers, including Tim Smith, Dave
Burto and Mary Adams from the Schools, as well as City Manager Netter
will be attending the meeting, City Manager Netter will update the
Council on results of same.
4) Council orientation with City Departments - City Manager Netter
explained City Council orientation with City Departments as reviewed
in the Council Meeting Memo and extended an invitation to any
interested Councilmerrber to participate.
5) Draft Municipal Services Agreement with Cotati - Rohnert Park Unified
School District for Middle School - City Manager Netter referenced
copies provided to Council of the referenced draft agreement as
prepared by staff for Council's review. Following recommended changes
by Council, if any, said draft will be submitted to Superintendent
Walt Buster for his review, comments and /or changes. Council
concurred to proceed and work with the School District on the
draft that will eventually be presented to Council for final review
and approval.
6) Relocation of fence on property @ 482 Landsdown Circle - City Manager
Netter explained copies provided to Council of letter prepared for
City Manager's signature allowing the relocation of this fence as
reviewed in the Council Meeting Memo. Staff recommends authorization
of same. Council concurred.
EXTEND COT -NCIL MEETING - Council consented to extend the Council meeting to
finish the items as listed on tonight's agenda.
7) Film company desire to film in new Public Safety Building -
City Manager Netter said copies ware provided to Council of memorandum
dated March 23, 1993 from Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brust
regarding request from Bill Dunphy of Black Tie Productions in Santa
Rosa for use of certain offices in the new Public Safety facility to
film a low budget movie. W. Netter shared comments regarding this
matter as reviewed in the Council Meeting Memo. Discussion followed
during which Council expressed concerns related to video taping inside
the Public Safety building and agreed the proposed schedule tied up
too mach time. Council agreed willingness to the outside filming on
Sunday, May 16, 1993 and possibly to one day inside the building for
flavor, if it caused no interference with Public Safety procedures.
8) Spring Clean -Up, May 14 - 23, 1993 - City Manager Netter said this
Spring Clean -Up has been scheduled, as reviewed in the Council Meeting
Memo, confirming similarity to last year's program except that the
location has been changed to the City's hospital site.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (17) April 13, 1993
9) Underground Utility District Rule 20A Funds - City Manager Netter
shared comnents as reviewed in the Council feting Memo pertaining to
this item. He said copies were provided to Council of various
communications regarding same including letter dated February 22, 1993
from P. G. & E. and letter dated March 3, 1993 from County of Sonoma
Department of Public works with City Engineer Brust response letter
dated March 16, 1993. City Manager and City Engineer responded to
various Council questions regarding this matter and said that Rohnert
Park's proposed projects in the County area would not be very high on
the County's priority list and, most likely, would not be done for
many years into the future. Regarding the City's Rule 20A funds, the
City has approximately $12,000 available with $100,000 allocated for
Phase II of Seed Farm Drive. The City receives about $5,000 annually
in Rule 20A funds. Therefore, the City has currently $112,000 with
the possibility of advancing on 3 years into the future resulting in
about $400,000 available for projects. City Manager Netter said this
item could be deferred to the next Council meeting for further
discussion, project identification and approval. Council agreed.
10) Dedication of Public Safety Facility - serving of alcoholic beverages
City Manager Netter requested clarity on direction pertaining to the
serving of alcoholic beverages at this upcoming dedication.
Discussion followed during which Council concurred there should be no
alcoholic beverages served at this occasion due to the nature of the
work represented by the Public Safety Department.
11) Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Cleanup Program - City Manager
Netter referenced copies provided to Council, and requested approval,
of letter drafted for the Mayor's signature that will be sent to
various legislators and cities expressing Rohnert Park's support of
the Environmental Resource Council program/conference to be held on
Thursday, May 13, 1993 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Rohnert Park
Conmmrnity Center. Council concurred.
12) City Manager Netter referenced item #6 listed on Communications from
Homeless Prevention Group requesting additional funding assistance
and said this item would be placed on the next Council agenda
for consideration.
13) City Manager Netter referenced information pertaining to Sonoma County
Water Agency (SCWA) rates and budget matters and said, with regards to
the concerns expressed by Mr. John Nelson, these concerns have been
clarified with City Manager Netter and City Engineer Brust to
their satisfaction.
City Attorney's report:
1) City Attorney Flitner referenced upcoming meeting regarding Sime case
and that he would be formulating a response. He said he would provide
further information regarding this matter at the next Council meeting,
*CORRECTION from but generally speaking,* the contract had been violated.
4/27/93 Council meeting: Per City Attorney Flitner, provide further information that it
s the position of the mobile home parks owners that the contract had been breached.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (18) April 13, 1993
2) City Attorney Flitner said notice had been received from The Resources
Agency of California for a Public Workshop to be held on April the
16th, 1993 with comments to be received up to the 23rd of April on
suggested draft amendments to the CEQA Guidelines. Mr. Flitner said
he had already prepared a response as this has been an area of concern
and it does need some reform.
Matters from/for Council:
1) Councilmember Spiro asked about procedures for notifying
restaurants /businesses of the smoking ban to go into effect shortly.
City Manager Netter responded that he just received a memo from
Assistant to the City Manager Leivo regarding the procedures and
notices that will be mailed within the next week or two.
2) Councilmember Spiro referenced letter dated April 12, 1993 from
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) requesting support of a
bill by Assemblymember Valerie Brown, AB 398, regarding regional
government and growth management. Council agreed this item should be
placed on the next Council agenda for further discussion.
Unscheduled
Public Mayor Hollingsworth asked if anyone in the audience wished to make an
Appearances appearance at this time. No one responded.
Adjournment Mayor Hollingsworth adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:06 p.m.
to 5:00 p.m., April 27, 1993 for a Budget Work Session to review
revenue options and other matters regarding the upcoming 1993 -94
Budget.
Dep� C i ty 1 er
J i
Mayor
e-v
to
-7 74b
f
�iN BACKYARD COMPOS'T'ING
GAINS MOMENTUM
'Yard wastes comprise about 200h of the
,waste stream in California,<;Composting -,
:tl ' 'ff6' lit th�b��W arils wlte�re tlley .;
are gene► !'pq s� tllany, advantages °
' fib igFriililers will make fewer trips to
the landfill; energy, hauling costs, and
noxious diesel -trick emissions will be
reduced; and tipping fees will be lowered.
'flte County of Alameda is cuu enlly oper-
ating the largest home contposling pro-
gram in the State. More than 2,4(H)
people ha ve become backyatcl coml>nsters
after attending workshops conducted
county wide at four demonst, ation sites.
A 4,5(X) bin distribution program has
begun, in cooperation with eight cities ill
the county. County staff estimates that
675 tons of garbage was diverted from
landfills in just one year.
Ci�lgndalc distributed 400,.E
1)o�ta �lllll7Q$I�lgybtltS �i15(�111 ►14t1Cr III IK)p
(OSl toe �hOCe „TrGSldenlS _V✓ho ,�IgCCCd„ LO- ,,:q,
�oirlli�cicasurvey. llie sill veysreveale I
t)tat residents were diverting 25/0 of
Iheir total trash and composting 66% of
their yard clippings and food scraps.
Pasadena has offered workshops to resi-
dents since November of 1991. Over
I,(HH) people have attended classes at
city parks, the senior center and a local
nursery. Ventura is training volunteers
in a six -week Master Composter pro-
gram who then help other community
I esidents learn tocompost wastes in their
backyards.
'I'o help colunutrlities start a composting
prc)granr, theCalifornia Integrated Wasle
Management Board is making free cop-
ies available of two new videos. Oncof
the videos provides information about
how ruunicipalities can go about estab-
lishing a homecotnposting program. 'I'hc
other helps community residents learn
how to bt t:in composting at home. For
copies of the videos, call the Board's
hotline ai I -8(H) 553 -2962.
GE REDUCri0
III
yQ .4 10. ,s
rncu
r-P
einember the old Three Rs?
"Reduce — first, Reuse —
second, and Recycle —
third ". That admonition is still
the best principle to follow for
efficient materials management,
resource conservation and sus-
tainable economic development.
'I'lic motto's emphasis on prcvenling
waste 1 ecog;nizes the fact that, in the absence
ul strong and organized programs to reduce
wale grvxcration, recycling and composting
programs can simply become efficient sys-
li °ms for accomniodaling Waste fuhhess. It is
A9rn7;arrt Gainer is owner and principal con -
enllarrf of Gainer & lissociates, a r•ornnnaritV
dcrvrlopnri•rrt consnitinggroup specializing in
wastr l,reuentiorr, recycling and economic
rlercfopmeni. ,Sbc is currently researching lire
%rrlinI, mrd neressan, steps to revive repairser-
I if-:r ill Ibc f tailed States for a new book, The
I ,, m n of ihrTinker.
by Margaret Gainer
through the hard - earned experience of pro-
viding and financing recycling collection and
composting services in recent years that
cities in California and throughout the
United States have begun to talcs a more
serious second look at source reduction.
Widespread confusion between source
reduction and recycling has }hindered the
development of source reduction activities.
A generally accepted definition used nation-
ally and adopted by the California Integrated
Waste Managcnxnt Board is:
Source reduction refers to all the differ -
cut ways that we can reduce waste at the
source, that is, "the design, manufacture,
purchase, or use of materials or products
and packaging to decrease their quantity
and /or toxicity before they are discarded."
Simply put, source reduction means not cre-
alintr waste in fhe first place. Source reduc-
tion is waste prevention.l?conomically and en-
vironmentally, it makes sense for waste
prevention cfforts to prcccdc recycling.
One way to visualize the concept of waste
prevention is to start a pile of single -use
Wt;S'rr.xN Crry, A im, 1993
products and packaging common in our
daily lives: glass, plastic, and aluminum bev-
erage containers ; printer toner cartridges;
paper towels and napkins; disposable dia-
lrers; disposable cameras, lighters, pens;
junk mail; one time printed announcements;
paper and plastic shopping bags -- to name
a few. Then think about how every item in
this pile could have been prevented from
entering all expensive recycling collection -
processing- manufacturing system or pre-
vented front disposal by an individual's con-
scious choice to lrse a reusable allcrnalivc, a
nhinor change in daily habits and advance
planning. Similar benefits call be obtained on
the larger, institutional scale as well.' reusable
cups and glasses, refillable/ r01,11-nable bev-
erage containers, refillable toner carlridgcs
for the printer, reusable cloth napkins and
linen service•', colton diapers and diaper ser-
vices, durable, repairable, and refillable canr
eras, pens, lighters, electronic bulletin board
for one -time announcements or printing
Continued 3
V V o
Sonar Reduction is Waste Prevention, Continued
Seattle's Puget Consumers' Co -op (PCC) will purchase. 800
reusable plastic produce boxes to replace waxed cardboard
. boxes (approximately 25 percent of their waste stream). 7 %e
boxes will be used in a cooperative arrangement between the
six PCC stores, a local truck farm, and a produce whole -
Baler. PCC will coordinate the project, purchase the plastic
y - produce boxes, and organize a workshop forgrowers, whole-
. � p
5i -. Ra ` s lJf
salers, and retailers.
V
ar to
Seattle School District will operate a worm bin eont-
posting and training program for its schools. The pro
grant will provide a worm bin, food collection bucket,
and 1112 hour worm compost training to 122
classrooms. The Academy for the
u Teaching Profession (a pro -
gram enabling students to
explore teaching as a career
and providing students with
special math and science train -
ing) will train classes receiving
the bins. Academy students will
also prepare a worm composting
�r
brochure for students and a follow -
4r,, -
up survey /test to evaluate student un-
derstanding of worm bin composting.
dl;ifla and r
limkin(,- notepads
lu iv;(, hull) sides of lh('
pm,;(', r,,msahle shopping bags.
\II Iolaled, these waste prevention alter -
n,iliv (., represent a sif_flilicanl savintrs for both
oumricipal recycling and disposal systems.
\When we add the lal;ger il('trls such as appli
:inns, erlllipnlenl, furnilurc, and building 111'r
1( That can he re paircd and reused rather
Ihan I, .cycler) for scrap value or disposed, the
inrp;ld oil otrr recycling and disposal systems
i" even more sirrnilicanl.
Top Priority
,;Om cc reduction is designated top priori -
ly in the integrated waste management frier -
aIwhy of Calikwllia's 118939. There are sev-
('ral reasons for this emphasis. First, as a
III revcnf ive measure, source reduction is the
nrosf cost- effective of all the integrated waste
nranngentent straleggies. It is logical that
helore we comnnil significant financial
1 r50111-t'('S to long -term systems for collec-
tiolr, proccssing, Transporting and marketing
I ecyclable and compostable materials, we
lirxt invesligatc and folly understand ocn-
oplions Ior reducing waste at its source.
Second, preventing waste at its source ac-
comrplishes nnrch trio[(' than landfill divcr-
siotr: if I cdoccs the anrotrnt of virgin nrateri-
als and ('nergy used in the first place for
manufacture of products and packaging.
California cities that begin now to develop of
festive systems for reducing the quantity and
toxicity of the waste they generate — before
recycling — will be able to reap the benefits
of advance planning in the future. An ounce
of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
'third, by the year, 2000, it will take an all -
oul effort of combined approaches, including
source reduction, recycling, and composting
to achieve the landfill diversion goals neces-
sary for prolonging the life of California land-
fills as mandated by AB939.
Source Reduction Barriers
For Local Governments
A team of consultants led by Gainer &
Associates, including,Tellus institute, Write
Reduction Research, and RGII Consulting,
recently completed research and reconr-
ruendations for the California Integrated
Waste Management Board on how the state
can assist local governments in implcnrenl-
ing source reduction programs. In this study,
28 of California's local program managers
were surveyed for their opinions about the
main barriers to inrplenrentin,g local source
reduction activities.
' Sourcc: Gainer & Associalcs aml'lullus Inslilule fir[
the California hife,gralccl Write Management Board,
Slalr brilialines in Some Redurlion. (tclobcr 1992
LFAGIie OF CALIFORNIA Ci1lKS
Budgetary Constraints
The most frequently cited bare
source reduction program implemel
was insufficient funding. Will) fudhc
tioning, it became clear this barrier is
ly influenced by public perception.,
mon theme among the survey rest
was that it was much nun e difficult fc
Clingy coordinators to justify fundi
source reduction programs to the
councils and managers than for other
management strategies, such as rec
In fact, many recycling coordinators fc
source reduction programs are in
competition for funding with recyclil
grants. Source reduction is very
understood and has au unproven
record, whereas recycling prograllis a
tangible material collection opel anon
highly visible trucks and contaiue
proven effectiveness, restating in l
public understanding and support. Gi
shor t lime for achievinr,A89391 multi
sion mandates, local govt r mire nts
reluctant to devote scarce dollars to t
"proven" source reduction methoc
time of declining revenues, when Ca
cities are hard- pressed to allocate sk .
funding lit[ existing public service, I
for any new public services is 111 111
difficult to obtain.
In this context, the remainder of I
riers identified by the survey — put
tudes, local political opposition, lack t
tification, lack of expertise, etc. --
viewed as fundamental problems
source reduction's inability to seer
quake fondink. As waste manalwi,,
and rcuredv the fundamental proble
Proactive: decreases volume and toxi
generated
Minimal capital infrastructure clevelo
by public sector. Requires distributior
information and successful case studi,
Minimizes environmental impacts c
resource extraction, production an
waste management
Results in solid waste management s
Receives minimal funding and resour
As processes are mucle more efficier
ilon selves [Holley.
Activities which produce waste are ex,
waste audits and specific waste rec
targeted to different industries and p
Results are difficult to clunntify and
the reahrn of the local solid waste mar
titication for Ibcse programs will become
easier and tending will begin to flow.
Public Attitrule
"People don't undetstanl source reduction,
bid tlney nndenstand recycling. Malty activities
are called rcc vcling even if they are source re -o
duc lion 71is shows that people don't gnasP the
eoncePI (if source reduction and why it is bene-
ficial orho, its cffectgoes beyond solid waste."
'T /1ne biggesl barmier isl getting People to
inulrnsland the solid waste problem in. terms
III( c, ran relate to ... and helping People
It 11,1x7 ".0 /rnnd what sonove reduction is."
These crnnnrents represent recycling co-
urdinalnrs' prevailing view of (he barrier prc-
",enled Iry the public'sattitudc toward sourer.
I eduction Orcc acmain, because tyre public
understand source reduction to the
(':dent that they understand recycling, deci-
sion nr,rkers arc hesitant to invest in source
rccluction programs. Unlike recycling, source
rccluction has not been widely adopted or pro-
[I wted by (he private sector and the media.
5, )I llvc redaction is a more "diffuse" strategy,
while I ccyc•ling is more focused.
lu general, there is a high level of public
a w;u mess (hat individual disposal habits
have a significant impact on the waste.
stream. Bnl the public has not yet understood
(he concept that purchasing habits and con -
srnnwr awareness about reuse and repair ser-
vices also have a significant impact on divert-
ing uncle from the landfill. In fact, many of
our individual consumer choices, such as
subscribing to diaper services or purchasing
fond dirccl from the grower at farmers' mar -
kels, eliminate single -use, disposable prod-
ucts and wasteful packaging from our lives
and rcdcrce overall waste generation.
jkbeyeling Program Characteristics
Reactive: requires material handling . ..
Requires development of collection and processing
infrastructure
Environmental impacts resulting from collection,
processing, and production
Incurs additional solid waste management system costs
Receives significant funding and resources
Unless material scrap value or garbage collection
rates are high, recycling costs money for collection
and processing of materials.
Activities which produce waste are not examined.
Involves general collection and processing of materi-
als from many generators.
Results cue easy to quantify and link to conventional
waste moor agement systern
V V V
This concept of individual responsibility is
crucial for successful source reduction, and
there are indications that the public is begin-
ning to be aware of its importance. A mar-
keting research study Completed in
I)e cmbcI -by Lieberman and Associates for
the California Integrated Waste. Manage-
ment Board showed, "Californians are now
ready (o go beyond curbside recycling .. .
and are receptive to adding other waste
reduction pu uctices to Iheir lifestyle, such as
buying reusable goods, baying products with
less packaging; using fewer disposable
items, and composting to naurc a few."
Local Political Barriers
"Die hauling industry fns a bannnerl; they
view waste prevention as money out of their
pockets. Political heat was tinned ono by the in-
disby in opposition to source reduction policies. "
This comment echoes the prevailing sen-
timents regarding local political barriers, the
third most commonly cited obstacle to imple-
menting source reduction programs. Local
political resistance to source reduction is two-
fold. Referring back to budget constraints,
the foremost local political barrier to source
reduction is that it is an unproven waste man
agement technique and therefore decision
makers are hesitant to commit their limited
resources to it. Instead, local decision mak-
ers are more willing to support more con-
ventional waste management methods, such
as curbside recycling collection services.
A more substantial problem is the fact
that source rccluction programs pray not be
in the best economic interest of private
waste haulers, recycling collectors, or processors, whose income is derived from
the amount of material collected, processed,
recycled, or disposed. Asa result, collectors
cum pressure local government to de- enipha-
size source reduction.
In many cases, local governments agree
to what is called a "put or pay" contract by
guaranteeing a private entity a certain level
of waste flow in order to finance large solid
waste facilities, such as materials recovery
facilities (MRFs). In fhese cases, the local
government agrees to "put' a certain level of
waste through the facility or to "pay" the pri-
vate entity for decreased waste volume.
Faced with this choice, a local government
may de- emphasize source reduction in order
to maintain a certain level of waste genera-
tion and supply to the facility. Since the State
of California does not have specific source
rccluction /waste prevention goals, the enli-
ly can still meet the overall landfill diversion
requirements set by AR939.
(JIuantification
"the inability to measure source redaction 1 is
a barrier). Officials have a hand time grasping
benefits and costs of source reduction pmgrams."
WESVERN Cn-Y, Mim, 1993
Fad
4.,
°roqVb
} ► yMeg °�s� P� /hG � � fR lt
/AcCO f °A /hfH9ArAhrA r 0
oil
ii ?ec pJ }r
or OC'd,
Sc/os S � o/ooh Cen r
O /Cr'14 o o"Ise N y �p HR� IO�ACI /i�
/grhrh cV /Q�/°r Pss C,4
0/7 /hdgId S�cn //?Q/, ° /lc /s n�a /grrs
eoJOct. c'o/ Pjj
Q//7/'7 477P C, Tc'c /,h d G o�rc F��ccr
r+q�hrrn9% �oOS /ei orC /s�c�oarcorOh
lg Q/'(4 For `h 0 1 OS.
► °""hP /OYen��r�� sses
�rr% �e easo
"J:csIifyiug
source reduction ac-
tivities lis dif iciltl when
there is no gntantifncation cred-
it given iidcr disposal -based
methodology. "
Program planners have much less
experience at cfeanlifying the waste diver-
sion attributed to source reduction than
attributed to recycling. Difficulty in measur-
ing the impact of source reduction makes it
difficult to justify investment in Ihese pro-
grams. If waste managers cannot show proof
that source reduction pr ogranrs are effective
diversion tools, they ale hesu(uut to allocate
more than token funding to it. In addition,
depending on the type of source reduction
program, it is difficult for waste nraurugere to
quantitatively evaluate file program's effec-
tivencss in order to improve it.
Model Source
Reduction Programs
Local governments call undertake a wide
variety of activities to reduce waste at the
source, and a growing number of cities —
both large and small — arc developing cue
alive, resourceful programs for waste pre-
vention. "hbc following models are examples
of city programs (ha( represent three broad
objectives:
(1) Walk like you link. Set a waste preven-
tion example in city govcrnnu•nl for resi-
dents and businesses to follow.
(2) Ethwate Noe public. 'fake advantage of
low -cost opportlrnilics to educate the public
about waste prevention by providing practi-
cal examples of purchasing choices, materi-
als reuse, and repair. Clarify the difference
belwecn recycling and source• rccluction and
explain why source rccluction is first priority.
Continued 5
10107( Nedurtionr Is ll�aste I'reoention, Contiaanerl
��o coN��v� I�c�vv600- still
0�®
E -4� SI��y`��tyo�l °sat mac \
C 'OSt' ��s�eY�eae
riyc. S
(1peC�UO ,LyCc -'gyve N& styes Cc� °C
� c�ytis� @e ugyoess A o1�Rese�
Gee oIVI ,aety 4
"4 �oC SOXCce ajecVs Cy E °tIl O
G <a °ts slat` tee sses °Y
1 1p�o ce�e�`yc rite tvCe
�N c
. �v�,�ycCy"�� \pFX.�StN
'?Oe'C
CO Involoe the Private sector. Cooperation
belwccn city government and the business
conunnnity is essential not only for effective
public education about source reduction but
to ensure that waste preveuling opportuni-
ties exist for shopping choices, reuse, repair,
rental, etc.
Setting; Ali Example— Source reduction
specialist Tim Springer of Waste Reduction
Research, stays the most important thing city
governments can do to decrease waste gen-
eration rates "is to start with a program tar-
geting their own city offices." Local govern-
ments with the best of intentions can be
caught in a "do as we say, not as we dui' posi-
tion when they launch source reduction pub-
lic education programs.,1lacy should be prc�
pared to serve as models for local industry
and re�sidenls. Springer advises, "A city's
sonrce reduction program should be kicked
off wi(h (oil down commitment, Conmlitmenl
6 oat staff leaders, goals, Ineasurenaen( plans,
and a way to get city employees involved."
( )ne example of (his Contnli(ment is in the
City of Sall Francisco, where a Buy - Recycled
and Source Reduction Committee provided
I (;cm cla and rcconantendal ions (o city gov
crnnucnl Ilm( led to Ihc• approval of an ordi-
nance Fast May rceguiring city and county de-
par(nrcnts to establish in house waste
I eduction progr arras and purchase recycled
paodu.ck to Ills` maximum extent possible.
Known as' Clrepler 2 LA," the ordinance states
that i("11:111 he (11c goal of all city deparlrnenls
to reduce the amounat of waste generated and
di�ios(d of within their operations. "ferry
of (he Cify of San Francisco's Recycling
I'ro)�i;nn, 11a" worked with the I',ny- Recycled
(i and `roan (c Reduction Committee to cst,ablish
measurable objectives for the city's source
reduction efforts. Engle said that since
lac has become involved in the pro-
gram, he has become "much more
aware of how local governments
specify and buy supplies." As
source reduction and buy -re-
cycled goals become in(e-
aUa grated into the daily opera-
tions of city government,
Engle suggests that pur-
chasing procedures be re-
viewed on a regular basis.
ea�io
of Educate The Public
��c About Waste Prevention -
'Ilae Seattle Solid Waste Utility
has developed several model
source reduction programs. Use
It Again, Seattle! is a user - friendly
directory of nearly 400 repair, used
goods and rental businesses na Seattle.
The purpose of the directory is to help pre-
vent the waste of reusable consumer goods.
In addition to listing by type of repair, used
goods or rental business, the directory in-
cludes a helpful cross - reference by product
type such as computers, major appliances, of-
fice furniture and tool"Alle directory also con-
tains information on donating used goods and
helpful tips for reducing waste around the
house. Through Seattle libraries, parks de-
partment community centers, neighborhood
service centers and participating businesses,
65,000 second edition copies of the directory
have been (list -ibuted to Seattle residents.
Volunteers from the Seattle Solid Waste
Utility's Friends of Recycling and Master
Composter Programs are trained in reduc-
ing waste in packaging and, on a monthly
basis, staff the Shop Smart Program displays
in Seattle grocery stores. Emphasizing waste
prevention at the point of purchase, the Shop
Smart Program provides personal interaction
in aisle tours, shelf signs and table displays
to — 1ticate shoppers about they envia-Mi-
ment<al impacts of their purchas- ./
ing choices.
Seattle's F,nviron-
mental Allowance
Program (NAP) is
an annual grant pro-
gram that solicits innova-
tive source reduction pro-
posals from the community. Carl
Woestwin of the 'Scattle Solid Waste
Utility believes creative problem soly-
ing and innovation ua source reduction come
ti om the community. Seatlle's Nnvironrttenlal
Allowance Program is designed to encourage
and reward "bottom - up" innovation. "Source
reduction is evolving as a whole host of com-
mon sense ways to cut down on waste at home
and on (hejob. ()tit- Environmental Allowance
LEACIIF OF CALIFORNIA CI HkS
Program awards grants to comnnnity -b
groups and businc sse s to develop (here
nuns sense straWgic,, ut the field In (hr�
the Utility gels more ideas on source re
lion, and Ihey come front tile people wilv
ultimately be the ones to carry (here
Woestwin said.In 1991 and 1992, NAPgTi
totaling $ 130,(100 were awarded to 17 d
eat organizations.'I -he following exauaplt
fled the creativity in these programs:
•$6,674 to the Washington State
cleaners Association to research rent
nylon dry(,-leaning bags as an alternati-
plastic bags, and for ecluca(icnal outrea,
the 200 drycleancr:s in Seattle.
•$4,100 to the Denise Louie Early C
hood Education Center to become a "NV
Free Center'' by eliminating disposable
acts from the center's kitchen and ltuach
composting food wastes 6 om meals, ret
materials from Children's homes for art
Iec ls, and placing recycling bins in cash („
roost. Materials explaining the progra
parents will be developed in Canabo
Vieluaanese, l.ao, Chinese, and Spanish
•$12,000 to (he Neighborhood Bus
Council to develop solid and hazar, .
waste educational Materials for enap(c
and students in (he 700 beauty salonr
cosmetology schools in Seattle.
•$10,520 to (lie Puget Consumers' (.
to purchase 500 reusable plastic pro
boxes to replace waxed cardboard br
which account for approximately 25 pe
of the Co-op's waste.
Waste prevention activities such as
buying and backyard composting are a
common part of rural lifestyles,
Mid many r-tu-al conunu-
nities and small 1
e
N \�lO &Vctil
S��Q\ d®osie4&
a-me 4
`Ayicya�•�y_\k) 3Ayk orce5h�c���'ayc�ASt
Csy`t�acha zcti °� t y�e�yoc a
ydr ay�& Goa
c\oQt t,°ns CYN
sec \v �cayo�'
,=,
No
c
YC0
YCO
w `N
(owns have informally encouraged waste prc-
venliona for utility years. As it part of their
;11039 Suurcc Reduction and 1ducation and
l'uhlic lrlor station plans, many Small towns
are coot dinaling with b ommsc s to produce
and distribute low-cost public information ni a-
terials and involving volunteers to implement
vtaste pt cveution demonstration projects.
I,or example, the City of Arc (la's Source
Reduction and Recycling Klement acknowl-
cdge s Ilie inlluencc the city's farmer's mar-
ket, swap Inc et"', ts, repair shops and Second-
hand stores have had on waste prevention.
I he city's I?mvit onutental Services Dc-
parUuenl recently launched its Master
Contposicr program in fhc hopes of pre-
venting , even atone of Arcala's organic m ale -
rial 11 0111 entering the waste Stream. Adapted
froul the Seattle Master Composters
I'rograim, Arcata already has 60 volunteers
signed up and plans to present backyard
coutposting workshops est abhsh a demow
stmM m site A the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife
Sanctuary, prepare printed materials for dis-
Iribartion in local stores, build a denlomstra-
tion bill al Arcata City Hall, and to have it
mobile display ready for the Farmlers Market
oil the Arcata plaza.
I'avilra Crimniel, project mrutager A
Recycictowra in Sonorna County, near
Petaluma, asserts that public education
efforts should include more about the basics
of mtainlemamcc. Iter experience has been
that "rural Iollcs scent to know more about
upkeep and ivainlemanc•e -- all the things
you need to do to keep things running
longer." She of lcrs the example of keeping
the right level of air in our thew, resulting in
a longer use life for the tires, fewer discarded
fires. and cost savings.
Involve The Private Sec•tol—Caroline
Gelb, 1Va,4e 1revention Planner ill the City
of N(,w York's Bureau of Waste Prevention,
Rcusc and Recycling, encourages cities to
cooperate on waste prevention projects with
the privaic sector. "Waste prevention pro-
vides a great opportunity for businesses to
dcruomstralc their leadership in the environ-
nwul as well as save then) money. We believe
Iltal, by worldlig Willi businesses and giving
therm s,pccific waste prevention examples and
potential cost savings, businesses will adopt
prof,rums. By working Willi New York City
businesses, other gmcrumcul <agencics, and
citi um , svc have blood that waste prevention
can elln- lively he accomplished on the local
kvcl'' Gelb staid.
burrar, which currently has lour
,1;1II cnmi mipcd to waste prevention, has inn
Ili( murnicd a rundwrofwaste prevention pro
i c t• includin)" the NYC Partnership for Wastc
I't c c rnlion and the Materials for the Arts. "fhc
Nl'( I'arincrship for Waslc 1'rcvcntion was
IV IT V
formed as a means for gaining the coop-
eration of New York City businesses," Id
institutions K the effort to reduce° solid
waste at the source. Participants cony
mil kl unplemenling waste prevention
measures that make sense in their es
lablishnlcnts. City waste prevention
staff provide asAslarce in developing
and promoting these businesses eG
forts. Current meanders include the
Hotel Association of New York City,
NYNKX Information Resources,
the Neighborhood Cleaners Asso-
ciation, the Direct marketing'
Association, I)'Agostino's, the
New York Sale Food Merchants
Association, and the Chinese -
American Restaurant Asso-
ciation. This year, surveys, site,
visits, seminars and outreach
to individual businesses are
being co iduele d The r c m e
Mans to expand dic par the
ship to include packaging
designers, manufacturers
and distributors, its well as
other types of business groups and
Fortune 500 companies.
Funded jointly by the New York City
Departments of Sanitation and Cultural
Affairs, the NYC: Materials for the Arts pro -
gram collects, stores, and redistributes
donated reusable goods and equipment to
cultural and arts organizations, individual
artists, and social services wills arts pro-
grams. I�undimg will soon be provided to
double. (lie existing warehouse space and
hire a Direct limA ons Coordinator.
Another example of local governnnert and
private industry cooperation is the California
Citizens for Cloth, a coalition of California
diaper services, health care and child care
professionals, and individuals dedicated to
promoting cloth diapers as the enOwnntcr-
tally conscious diaper choice. "like coalition
is currently developing an action packet to
assist local recycling waste reduction coor-
dinators and environmental organizations in
educating the public about the use of cloth
diapers. The action packet will include:
•Sample language for a local "parental
choice" ordinance to allow parents to choose
the diaper option for Ihcir children al day-
care centers.
•A camaera -rowdy brochure on the envi-
ronmental and economic benefits of cloth
diaper use.
• Waste audit and economic analysis lorni=
to assist recycling coordinators, child car(
facilities, and hospitals in mu•asuring the cco
noiuic, waste reduction, and cnvironuacnla
benefits of switching to cloth diapers.
1
� au
SRO,[ (OCR( SOURCE AEOUCTIOH (y
ADm1N1SrRATiv,v , ,,, ITIATIU
fs:
1' Appoint Waste Prevention
I Mandate REGULATORY 4Cr /O,ryS
Waite Staff
or Lalkc, W Audits for Govelnnlent
ante Ue'nel Mors (Vices
Review and hGminate Policies Inllibilin
Waste prevention
`Chan, -, g
be Reg(date'd Waste Rate SL
I'= nc'oul age Waste Prevention
rucl:ure to
� Dispos�ll Bans for Certain Items
� I nact.l'rocurenlcnt]'olicic s Ibµ
pl eventlllg h1 "I cts
Pl,)ducts) iNot �ecye ei
lust Recycled
Mandator
Which Can I- lbeling Restliclions
Resource Include I). felr, pro
(I Used, ciosure Of clalcts
palls Vastel3oduc, Plllability
Oil Certain ed, Ihxic Conte It
Mat
From < -i Us 1
Cettiz2
Muz . gat theSorxzee,
10,601 S, /,- Ilraste, Strategies for
tegiesfarsb7f1ce �71ef1zzall', Redzrcirzg
Wild life F Redrzetia72 Stec, -, ceport °fthe
uud & II)e ' g Conzzniltee, Stfa_
mg Coundation ti c r1d
I IJI.
WST1, RN CrrY, Arlin, 199;1
11C MIS(,
Industry Alliance is a newly -
formed trade association Willi the purpose of
strengthening the reuse industry, in part by
pronxltirng reuse as a prrk�rred materials and
waste management method before compost-
ing, land fill ing, and incineration. Panlcia Bel,
Reuse industry Alliance organizer, likes
to remind people that "Reuse and repair
iudustries have long born a pod dour ccon-
only. With the waste diversion goals that
California's local governments face in the
next. seven years, it would be wise for them to
recognize and support the industry's contin-
ued existence and growth."
Gregg Poster, project manager for the
consulting (cant that developed the.
California Intcgralcd Waste mauagcment
Board's Source Reduction Action Pfau, con-
curs: " It is not enough to create a public edu-
cation campaign to convince residents to
reduce wasie. I ocal governments must work
Willi the• private sector to ensure Thal those
waste preventing opportunities exist. In addi-
lioll, the private sector must be responsive
to the needs A local govcrrnu+nts. Both pri-
vale sector and local government pm-lici-
panls in Ihr Board's amwe reduction work-
shops idclltificd coopciahoo as key lit the
success of source reduction."
0
n
� au
SRO,[ (OCR( SOURCE AEOUCTIOH (y
ADm1N1SrRATiv,v , ,,, ITIATIU
fs:
1' Appoint Waste Prevention
I Mandate REGULATORY 4Cr /O,ryS
Waite Staff
or Lalkc, W Audits for Govelnnlent
ante Ue'nel Mors (Vices
Review and hGminate Policies Inllibilin
Waste prevention
`Chan, -, g
be Reg(date'd Waste Rate SL
I'= nc'oul age Waste Prevention
rucl:ure to
� Dispos�ll Bans for Certain Items
� I nact.l'rocurenlcnt]'olicic s Ibµ
pl eventlllg h1 "I cts
Pl,)ducts) iNot �ecye ei
lust Recycled
Mandator
Which Can I- lbeling Restliclions
Resource Include I). felr, pro
(I Used, ciosure Of clalcts
palls Vastel3oduc, Plllability
Oil Certain ed, Ihxic Conte It
Mat
From < -i Us 1
Cettiz2
Muz . gat theSorxzee,
10,601 S, /,- Ilraste, Strategies for
tegiesfarsb7f1ce �71ef1zzall', Redzrcirzg
Wild life F Redrzetia72 Stec, -, ceport °fthe
uud & II)e ' g Conzzniltee, Stfa_
mg Coundation ti c r1d
I IJI.
WST1, RN CrrY, Arlin, 199;1
11C MIS(,
Industry Alliance is a newly -
formed trade association Willi the purpose of
strengthening the reuse industry, in part by
pronxltirng reuse as a prrk�rred materials and
waste management method before compost-
ing, land fill ing, and incineration. Panlcia Bel,
Reuse industry Alliance organizer, likes
to remind people that "Reuse and repair
iudustries have long born a pod dour ccon-
only. With the waste diversion goals that
California's local governments face in the
next. seven years, it would be wise for them to
recognize and support the industry's contin-
ued existence and growth."
Gregg Poster, project manager for the
consulting (cant that developed the.
California Intcgralcd Waste mauagcment
Board's Source Reduction Action Pfau, con-
curs: " It is not enough to create a public edu-
cation campaign to convince residents to
reduce wasie. I ocal governments must work
Willi the• private sector to ensure Thal those
waste preventing opportunities exist. In addi-
lioll, the private sector must be responsive
to the needs A local govcrrnu+nts. Both pri-
vale sector and local government pm-lici-
panls in Ihr Board's amwe reduction work-
shops idclltificd coopciahoo as key lit the
success of source reduction."
0
n
The. (;(Imlinsl. Ilits I. hr. 1';111 or Come IIappeIt!;
Itf all the changes wrought over the past two decades by the
environmental movement, perhaps none is more important or less
noticed and understood than the changes taking place in how we
deal with the mountains of garbage our society continues to
produce.
California began a new era in solid waste management. in 1989,
with the passage of All 939. The law created sweeping changes in
the way we deal with our trash and ordered local governments to
reduce - by ZY by 1995 and 50x by 2000- the volume of waste
dumped in public landfills.
At that time lawmakers began to realize that community expertise
and public, input would he critical to the success of the new
trash- busting efforts. All 939 will spawn a host of new
regulations and increase taxes and fees for individual ratepayers
and businesses. The law mandated creation of a local task force
to advise local jurisdictions about waste management issues`
Sonoma County's All 939 Loral Task Force is a diverse and
know l c dgeab le group of twenty six members. j�l�� hbnrit rL�ra� "
formed drs}1it1 a "?tYOiy',t3lfort`�hy�rinnyris j�i'e°xr�udr pubiii�`
rjd'pt,ivate, experti e,arittltrppciftrt�a'� Nk"I fold ronsisL ntt Sole..lyr
f ,ttitij'6'1140trs. 4 theiriktafk r`ejir'CSri'ri�d :ives�� The task force.
du ided that a regional approach would best accomplish the
mandated waste diversion goals. The county and all the cities
agreed to create a joint powers agency (JPA) to plan and
implement many of the various programs required by All 93:1. It
must: be noted, while., this agreement was being negotiated, the
public (iron- -city) members of the task force were, in large part,
excluded from the process. Draft copies of the agreement were
kept private. While the task force was apprised of developments,
they were not allowed any input In the process. The final
agreement granted one vote to each city and the county and
required representatives on the administering committee be either
elected officials or staff. Except for the county, members all
appointed staff at or below the level of assistant manager.
nereft of elected and public representation the JPA is
nonetheless empowered to impose regulations and fees.
Exacerbating this potential for conflict and constrouersy, the
agency agreement: requires a unanimous vote for any expenditure
exceeding $50000.
Compost and controversy
The county's waste generation study showed wood waste (90,0(10
tons/150 and yard debris (80,080 tons /170 constituted 37. x of
the total waste disposed in Sonoma County in 1990. Easily
separated from the waste stream, wood waste and yard debris
r.
_r'
� n►om,� t:ou n ty E. I .8 Mon (lpr 1Z 1993 12:41 pm P�
prtutnc: L s also offer potential revenue to help cover program cost,:;
t:hr•ouyl► I:l ►e sale of c:omposl:, la►►dscape mat.crials, and boiler
rue I.
J1'(l rxercul.ive direct-r•, Ken Wells, who also serves as chiel' trC
1.1ic Ccnnn ty_ ' s I r►tegra ted Waste Management D i v is i o►► and cha i rmau tit'
t.hr local t;a sk force:., developed a draft Request for
tjtralifications and Proposals (RFQP) for Lite wood waste yard
del►r• i s prt:ulram . The seeds of controversy were planted.
Tlrc: draft BFlJl' was reviewed by an agency subcommittee. No one
f ron tie local task force was invited to participate on i:lre
subcommittee, even though crone of the subcommittee members had
a►►y experience or knowledge of composting or- wood waste handliut,i.
1►► f`nc.l:, when t;he drat`t document: was distributed al: a JPA
meeting, agency members expressed concern that members of I;lie
public: atl.endiug the meeting should see it in draft form. it was,
howc,ver, concerted ghat the RFQP was by law a public; document; and
copies were distributed to all present, including some poter►f.ial
proposers .
Various pc►trntial proposers subsequer►tly voiced a alumber• of
ccnu:cr•r►s regard illy l:ite RFQP and Ken Wells was invited t ;c► a
mcre I . i ►►g to d i scttss I heir concerns. A l l Lite local compa►► ie s
present: expressed their fear that the RFQP made it very d iff ictt l t
toy, small companies to bid on the project. The scope of the
prottram was too large, wood waste handling and composting for the
e,►►tire ccxo►ty being included, and it was felt Lite financial
V'eq r i remen i s were excessively restrictive. Comments from the
lm:al c:ompar►ies had little impact and the RFQP, essentially
unchanged., was sellt ottt to potential proposers ill June, 199L.
Wells, newly hired, appeared to wish -to have a large and
impressive program under his belt to claim as all important
ac:complishment.'He claimed the program would be one of the
largest: in the state, if not the country. There was also pressttrc
Cron sonre of I;l►e agency members to "get sometl►ing goir►g" after
a.lmosI, two years of planning. A nttmber of specifications in Hie JIM[', and representations made by Wells in response to questions
f rr rm po ten t. i a 1 proposers, watt 1 d become focal points ill the
cus,uinq deiaLe.
1) Thca Oil 937 hierarchy. The law recognizes the best way to
rr.,tlucc waste is source reduction, eg. backyard composting.
;c t ondary
preference is g iven to recyl i.ng; Cu. removing yard
iir +Hr ; from the waste stream and prodttcing compost for sale. crr
11111r i c i pa l ttse . L i t t; l e or no divers ion credit i s give)) for
i Ili: inerat.io►r, r..g. usinq wood chips for boiler fuel, towards I.he
or `4117,.000 goals.
The colli.racf; wc►nld m.rl; lie "put or pay," requiring I:I►e agency
kn deliver �luaranLee'd minimum amotorts of wood waste arnl/or• yard
drhr• i s; Lo the t o►►I;rac: for .
I) The atle►mal ynarani.eed Lo seed onit) source separated Mallerials
000r►;r (:rnr►)t.y 1'.1..11 Morn Apr 12 1993 12:41 pm rage 3 of
to the contractor. They stipulated green waste from new curbs i dc•
r:ullections programs would be free from plastic bags or any other
non- compostable containers.
1) The successful bidder would also have input regarding the
n -thod of curbside collection employed by the agency.
-X KXX*
(nf lrrr the proposals were reviewed, the JPA decided to interview
thrce proposers: Empire Waste Management /Sonoma Compost Company
(f:blt1iSCC), Grab n' Grow (GG), and M&H Feed /Soils Plus/Earthbound
Compost (M8H /SP). Once again, the agency did not ask anyone from
the local task force, nor anyone knowledgeable in composting to
he on the selection committee, choosing only their own members.
01 10 r the interviews, the selection committee recommended that
t
Llrr agencct begin negot iat; ions with EWM /SCC, rar►king GG and HRM /31'
:r c.rnnd and third respect; i ue ly 1" order of preference.
lir lrrr ;ent;)1. i yes from both losing proposers expressed serious
,:onc;crn that the agency had r'chosen the least experienced and most
c:o tlq proposer. JPA members appeared to be concerned about the
high car ►st of the proposal -- $29 per ton compared to GRG at $Z0.5:3
1wr ton and M&M /3P at $7.50 per ton -- and insisted negotiations
m►r s t reduce the cost if the contract were to be awarded to
EUM.- SSCC) . The subcommittee continued to insist that EWM/SCC' s
proposal for outshone the others.
The following week a lengthy article in the Press Democrat
hr(nght the controversy to public attention and highlighted the
hmv difference in cost. The article noted, based on figures
Y"pp l i ed by Wells, that the f i ue year cost of the selected
proposal would by $03 mill ion "compared to an Ham bid of $2.11
mi 1 I ic►n. At that point: a111 1re1I- Titoke loose. Feeling outraged.,
IV,t1 canner Martin Mileck, hired local political consultant and
r:om m►rn i ty ac: t; i u i s t; Eric. Anderson, to attempt to change the
dr.cision. Uarious members of the local task force, believing that;
the process was flawed from the beginning, began to raise
runes t. i ons .: The Sonoma County Recycling Association and the Sonoma
County Recycling Center took positions opposing the contract.
14ha t the JI'A members thought would be a fairly simple process
with minimal involvement; of their carious city councils, {Soon►
hr,cnme the subjec..trdf intense debate,' uiith lengthy discussions
ru s;n i ng in a number of cities! Hue ue basic issues emerged: V The
;ropct and quality of the RFQP ) The experience of the proposers
-►nd the quality of the proposals. 13 Concerns regarding possible
11"I tnm i na t ion . 4) The All 939 hierarchy. 5) Project cost: and
mat hod of pagmen t The Scope of the RFQP most, i f not all,
rnrorna Count►.J cities are close to ach ieu i ng their 1995 goal of
NO diur°rsion. Though it was frequently suggested that the
proilram could be introduced gradually, the recommendation was
ncurr take." seriously. Once the RFQP was out and proposers
iutcruieuvd, agency members had become utterly committed to the
program. It, was also repeatedly argued that it was unn°cessarrJ
r) onlhinrr wracrd waste and yawl debris in the same Coll tract.. Thera
nrr nrr r,ompanies currently operating in i ;he county that handle
11)f l► rlirterials and anyone who conr.luct:s till informal survey of
11Wfm%►irf materials at the landfill will soon conclude ghat; yard
if c br• i '; raid wood wa s t: rarely come ill together. . The Proposals and
1'r )posers Experience EWM /Sonoma Compost Few denied that tale
t1.,;Lr tlrinagement: /Sonc►ma County Compost team submitted the best
ur• i I. tin proposal . Even a brief review of tale proposals made i I:
In rt:I:y r►bvious ruby the a(Iency foclnd it attractive. Lengthy
e K:11 l ana t isms of Idle operating system and Composting process tJer•e
r:)mli i lled with art ho l descr i pt ions of demonstration gardens ai►d a
im b l i s rrlttca t i on program. It was well done and impressed agency
rrr�rrlaers whose bearts are, so to speak, ill the right place, anti
�1hrr, rlrf r1 if dreg had rr_servat;iorls about awarding the coutriu t 1:0
Iarrlrr col►cflomerat:e corporal; ion, could see rlotlli►1g but: virtue In
I lic I,rollir al I•rom that moment. on. The IiFQP indicated a
I�rcl'r °rent:r° for 1)c:al companies and Empire Waste Management, a
A1lr;i11iar•y of Waste Management, lac., touted their partnership
Sri 1.11 `;ononla Compost and insisted that SCC would have the l iol►'s
hirrr of I:he coill,r•act. i 1lestions continued to be raised (IS to why
,0n)mr1 0)11111,1) needs a mu 11: i - national corporation to gr i ii(i its
r u it 111 arils tc . Solloma Cotu)ty Compost has uo experience ill large
��r1 I nmr cofill) rs t i MI and is _not currently in the business of rnak i rig
fly, M11 1 i nr f compost ". Their major accomp 1 i shmen 1; is the pilot yard
rr,lstr. progrtm that they did in c:onjunr,tioil with Waste Mal►agemrilt
f11r f:hc Citc1 of` Santa Rosa which they claim wa, "highly
cuccessf 1i l . " This is a strange asser t iorl when, according to their
i epor I. , "of the estimated 11.00 crib is yards delivered to
011 ly 71111 cards or so was clean enough to be delivered to
on r pia 1►e l of commercial e va 1 stators . " Sonoma Compost's extensive
na rkrr f: i uq Pia" was simply the result of a market survey rather
f:l►an the result of ally actual experience ill selling compost.
riV i t her they nor Empire Waste call demonstrate any experience ill
..e 1 1 1 ny compost or, )ion --- Cue 1 wood waste products. T i lla l l y the
proposal i r►c: prided excessive egt.t ipment. and labor costs. Ill
response to charges that this demonstrated their lack of
I'! xper I:ise, they respcnlded that ttiey were simply "being
1:11nI;11"va t i ve" and cor.t ld reduce those costs. Price: $8.5
m i l l if)" . Grab n' Grow Tb i s proposal was sells i b le ,
Alain to earth, no frills, but it seems that the fatal flaw of the
proposal was their suggest: ion f:o simply landspread the compost. if,
proved unsalable. Like the EWM /SCC team. Grab /' r � i
..;row did nri,.
111 rar �l nt) "l►er i e"Ce ill selling large volumes of wood waste or
compost products. Though no particular public education program
r,a s i nc I l-Werd , the RFQP ball Trot required a pub 1 is education
r;ompcn►enk , Price: $7.3 million M Fe M Feeds/Soils
1' 111 /Ea r t.11bcn.tnd Compost This proposal was skimpy oil details.
phis tram, however, represented a very diverse and highly
;rlrcr s(`rtl group of businesses, currently producing and marketiuy
Irlrrfr g1,lantitics of compost: anr.l wood waste products. Soils Plus
rrllarallteed the wood wastr would qo to noel -fuel nrrrkel:s. M Fi M
Fccd� ! ► {1S ;I;c ►e t. ;iant.j T-arS e-hicat hiq the agr icu l tur•a. d common i f.y
r (�Ijikrd ing tile benefits of compost; and currently prodrto::es and
10 , tltltl tolls of` compost alma 1 ly . Price "'2.7 m i 1 1 i r it
E. I Al Mt.rr► Apr u. 199:1 M:14 pm I'ayr° `i of 6
(:Ill) tam i na t: i ()n `34kccess of the program is depende►rt: on prodttc i ny
rnnrpor; t: product's free from con tam i nat i on . While the project
'; Irer i l icat i cols ill tile RFQP stated that the agency would deliver
r0iit ively glean materials to the contractor, this issue has been
r;ited as one which tler_ided the agency in favor of the EQM /3CC
proposal. Sonoma Compost included a full sort line in their
processing plan and Paul Paddock, (-I Sonoma Compost partr►er, has
shown C i t:t) counc i 1 s p i(,-tur•es of yard waste coil Lam i r►ated with
plastic bays to prove the need for an expensive sort line. M A t1
h•ks responded that adding a sort Line would be an easy task and
un)itld still provide i:lie needed service at a substantially lower
cos I, . Yen We 1 IS, a t; (,lie county' s request , bas a 1 ready contracted
r) i t h their battlers for curbside yard waste co 1 lect ion even though
I.he agency promised the program contractor would have input
regarding I:l►e met ;host of collection. Waste Management is planning
a ')t1 gallon can, automatic collection system. Similar programs
have shown that this results in the greatest degree of
crn►tamNation, raising questions such as why should the public
pay for an expensive RIM sort line to decontaminate yard waste
11,111 t I:se l f will collect. If contaminations was considered to be
it serious element; in tare proposal, marry have asked, w)W w_qs►►' IL
To burn or not to barn The
r►r, it1 i na I eva loot ior► of t:lie competing proposals (lid not even
(I)IF,zider the factor of adherence to the All 939 hierarchy. The M et
11 Ivrnposa 1 shod alone hi guaranteeing ltltlx diversion credit aiiii.
()rr 1 r.) ill response to intense pob 1 i c pressure has the agency
i rrc I ruled tt► is cons idera t ion ill the renegotiated contract.
I'.t111.:CC has now produced a new set of variables in their pricing
'Arnctttre to include selling wood waste in non- -fuel markets at a
I,ir {I) pr ic:e, though there is nothing to indicate the need for'
pri 1 a 1 egtt i pmen t . Their higher cost for producing non - -f ue 1 o 00d
products is probably anothrr reflection of Empire Waste' s
lark of experience. During the past four
ru,ut.hs of uegot.iations the prices have changed so much almost:
110hndt) could f igttr•e ottt: what was going oil. n new draft contract
rrrs prese►►ted to JP(1 members on February 17th ir►cluding a new,
rn►nple.x pat)rnen(, sl ;ructure. What; is clear is costs for the EWMiSCC
proposal haven't heel► significantly reduced. Under the new
1t►rmrtla the program will cost. from $6.4 to $9.Z million dollars,
,k I 1 hr,ttyl► cos Ls cot.t ld go even higher depending on the success of
1.I,e proposed marketing program. While tl►e contract ir►clodes
;r kited "guaranteed" revenue for, the agency, the contractor, i:;
I I acrd
I'll rer►egotiate for higher payments if they are unable to
rr r l rn rn . O'< ne i t her EWM or SK has ever, sold compost: it is
till ictrll. to jndyc I.he potenl ;ial success of their marketing
iurrl)n� ;a1. Iteorgot.iatirnl for even higher prices in the ful.ttre is it
1i :l.iucl. por ;sihility. Just as troubling is I,he inclusion of it
"pn l nr pat)" formrt Irk . "I'tt L or' pat)" mea►rs (hill, if' the age.r►cy I a i I s
Lr. del fiver a minimum gtrar►tity of material they must pay a minirnnrr
p► r,r:c s s i ny f ec . This concept; potentially penalizes communities
I) i t h rx tens i ve backyard compost: i ng (source redact ion) programs.
11 +ilso rat'zes troubling questions about t :he way the JP(1 condur:t:;
I,nsinr ; <; rou;ideriny that, they included it written St. ipttlatill" to
r 1 1 prnpor;e,rs 1,ha I: this woti ld not be a "ptt I: or pay" program. fit
;i lit ►r,,.I (: fit n►I.1 l;.) .I; lion Apr 12 1`)`)13 t pm Page
, Jun III art3 A:; rnor•c-- people have become irnvolved in this process,
ranri° gllr - . ioly; have been raised - tte �_�1�ts._c3s.._ye.i .lt.r la.lswttr ell .
Th(� Citt) of Sonc►rna Environmental Advisory Committee recommended
-A-i's EAC also voiced a Soucnnr voi:e to re jec t the contract. Coc
nnrnb► °r of concerns and r_or►clttded that the proposed contract was
tear r.ost:ly. JPA members, stony by criticism, and likely fearful
I'd the repercussions of being caught in an error, have taken the
L irn:.(►onored approq(j) of ignoring publ ir—hipu.t. and rcaff inm,i!Id__,,. _
thetir initial setcction_ Policy and cost considerations have
(I I url) way to persona I at; tanks oil debate participants. Whatever
I he oil l :r..onre, maybe the agency will have learned its lesson. Mayl.►e-.
1 -hcl) will 1 l recognize the inherent wis�tom ,ni. t1�e state law...i►t..
r-►,rnda 1, i ng . pub i rr._. it-►r•., �c r� t ioil, pd, W ),l l_ jn, i!ltl the lcrc�t l task,,.
. l - �.� l
I orc:e i n tile is ipn- tn..ak.,i,!ut, process_ I we 11 remember the flat)
i,ilirr► Hie city managers presented their desire to rest riut, task
I nrc:c,, nreMbersh ip to city managers . Err►ie Carpenter stood up and
adama►►tly declared how foolish they were to think they could steal
w i t h waste mauagemerrl; issues when they didn't know anyth i rng abou I; .-w
Hie. subject. Ile laughingly commented that they should be allowed
Hicir wish just to see what a mess they'd get themselve into. 139
us i nq the JPA to circumvent the local task force they've managed
to do ,just: that. Public part is ipat ion The JPA has scheduled a
pit l►lit: hearirr( j arid vote on the proposed contract 01i-Alkr.il.Zl._.a
`):t)11 r.m..!. I; hr,. l3crard ..o1'..Sttper.visuzs,.chambers. This will be,
lir)wever, it pro forma exercise as city councils are currently
dcc:idinq, in various comrnur►ities, how they want their staff
rcpresr,nl.atives to vote. The Board of Supervisors, by ignoring
I.hr rigl►t. of ccn►stituents i►► their respective di Jricts to voice
1. hc! i r op i ►►ion on this garbage rate increase, has s imply y i ven
1: he i r IP0 representatives, Ernie Carpenter', the authority to cost
1.heir vote as 1►e sees fit. At this time it is impossible to
p rct) i c t: the ou tc:omr_ of the filial vote . Without a unanimous
deci <iii►►, the JPA would then begin negotiations with the next
raukcd proposer. Citizens who have concerns about the outcome of
L I► i s decision shoo id contact their respective city ctxorc; i is or'
Lhe it r:ruo►ty supervisors right away.
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