03-23-1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 23, 199& (Park Commission Comments - Continued) • Flint said past Mayor Callahan asked him to inform the Park Commission that Mn/DOT would be willing to establish a trail over the Hwy 12 /CoRd 6 intersection. The Park Commission needs to determine whether this is desirable. Flint indicated there may be a trail along CoRd 6, and the Commission should determine whether it would work to have a trail cross Highway 12 as part of the interchange design. The trail would run along the shoulder. White informed Flint that the Commission just recently completed categorizing the trails. ( #6) WEST HENNEPIN RECYCLING COMMISSION REPORT - AMELIA KROEGER - 7:15 P.M. Amelia Kroeger, the West Hennepin County Recycling Coordinator referenced an article in the Pioneer. She reviewed the highlights of the past year noting that 30% of the waste was recycled in the group cities. The group is also below the average on cost of household and total tonnage for recycling and shows an increase in participation. A goal of the commission was to reduce the budget by 15% by the year 2000. This was attained in 1997. Another goal was to continue grant funding for Hennepin County. A meeting of the Hennepin County Recycling Commission was held on February 11. A good indication was given that grant money would be eliminated by 1999 as they are joining in with other counties and organizations regarding a solid waste. An unforeseen • problem was the dramatic increase in waste tonnage and tonnage recycled. The market for recycled materials has not kept up with the volume of recycled materials. Kroeger asked for Council feedback and whether the City would like to continue with the joint powers agreement. She reviewed the cost to the City with or without the grant funding. Kroeger questioned whether the City would like to conduct the recycling program themselves. Jabbour asked for Kroeger's recommendation. Kroeger said she had originally thought that recycling programs would stand on their own merit. She noted that the market is poor for recycling of paper and plastic, though strong for aluminum. She did believe that the position provides the City with alot of services for a small amount of money. Moorse commented in looking at the duties performed and what is being done on a shared basis, it would make sense to continue with the program instead of starting a City program. Jabbour said the City also has some obligation to those cities who cannot run such a program on their own. Is 4