08-12-1985 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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To: Mark Bernhardson, City Administrator CITY V OkUNU From: John R. Gerhardson, Public Works Coordinator �`UI�Y Date: August 6, 1985 Subject: Leaf Composting On July 23, 1985 I attended a meeting at the Metro Square Building in St. Paul in regard to leaf composting. It is the intent to develop compost sites in each commun.Lcy as soon as possible so that the entire seven county metro area will not be disposing of leaves and other recyclable materials in land -fills by 1990. After a brief presentation by County and Metro Council Staff a round table discussion began with several other communties and countys explaining their individual programs. The programs ranged from very ",w tech operations whereby the leaves are placed in a pile and left for three years with absolutely no processing to a very high tech operation like the City of Roseville that costs $60,000 per year. "he high tech program consists of collecting the leaves, shredding, wind rowing, watering and turning the piles three times per year, this process allows for disposal of ti-e compost in 18 mon,.hs It is t,,, recommendation to operate a very low tech operation whereby we w)'il collect the leaves during spring and fall clean up transport `'iem to the old sewer plant property and pile the leaves ai dc: *nothing more until the compost is ready for disposal. TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Mark Bernhardson, City Administratock k) It is recommended Orono initiate its own pi: .)roject in conjunction with fall and spring cleanup wi.: ompost site at the old sewer plant. Based on the initial results we may explore next spring becoming part of the County's informational/ coordinated program. Costs of the pilot program should be minimal as it will involve utilization of labor in conjunction with an existing prograrn.