11-16-2004A couple of Warsaw councilmen trashed proposed amendments to the solid waste ordinance Monday.
Public works superintendent Lacy Francis Jr. presented several changes to the city code defining construction materials, hazardous waste, unoccupied houses, freon-containing appliances and brush pickup.
Francis proposed that no debris from construction, remodeling, repair or demolition created by a landowner, tenant or contractor be picked up by the city trash collectors.
“It doesn’t take too much for a 2x4 to poke a hole in the trucks,” he said. The crews have been picking up construction materials if the pile weighs less than 40 pounds.
Councilman Jeff Grose argued against this policy, saying it’s convenient when people clean things out.
“I’m a weekend warrior,” Grose said of his remodeling projects. “I’ve called about construction debris, let you know. I think we need to be very friendly toward the taxpayer.”
Francis said Waste Management maintains a large dumpster at the Airport Industrial Park and that it costs $23 for up to 960 pounds to use it. The city also maintains a “dial-a-dumpster” (for construction materials) and “dial-a-dump-truck” (for yard waste) program. A small dumpster or small or large truck is dropped off at a residence on Friday and picked up full, free of charge, on Monday. The service is available from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Councilman George Clemens argued against a policy about collection of refuse and rubbish at unoccupied property. The city will provide a dumpster one time for removal of perishable items from a deceased owner’s property.
Clemens said sometimes people move out to remodel and while working, generate trash that doesn’t go in a dumpster for construction materials.
“You won’t pick up trash that’s in a nice, clean trash can?” Clemens asked. Francis said not if no one is living there.
“People drop trash off at unoccupied homes to take advantage,” he said. “My guys know whether a home is occupied or not.”
Just as the city does not pick up items from a rental unit “clean-out,” he said, they shouldn’t have to pick up items the relatives don’t want when someone dies.
“That’s where the Salvation Army and other organizations come in. We’ve had relatives clear out an entire house and leave everything on the front lawn because they didn’t want anything the deceased person owned,” Francis said.
Because of mercury content, Francis wants to add computer monitors and laptop computers to the definition of hazardous waste.
Councilman Joe Thallemer said if one item was added specifically then all items that come under the hazardous label should be included.
He suggested the list of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Indiana Department of Environmental Management hazardous waste items be either available for residents or that the entire list be added to the code.
“People already know we don’t take batteries, paint, tires or chemicals,” Thallemer said. “We shouldn’t have to specify computers, too.”
There were no objections to removing appliances requiring state-approved tags indicating freon had been removed.
Another amendment indicates the city is not responsible for the removal of debris from land-clearing projects or the removal of trees that have been cut down and have a diameter in excess of 12 inches one foot above the saw cut.
Francis clarified the last amendment, saying professional tree people come in on weekends and advise the property owner to tell the city “their brother-in-law cut the tree down – then the city will pick it up. The professionals should haul that tree away,” he said.
“In other communities, like Bloomington, you have to have a sticker on your trash bag, five or 10 for a couch. They’ll take it, but you pay for it. We go way out of our way to accommodate everyone,” Thallemer said. “Lacy deserves the credibility to make these changes. People need to take responsibility for their trash.”
The board also:
• Approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance (ordinance 2004-1103) changing 827 S. Union St. from R-1 zoning to R-3. The office buildings currently on the property are allowed on residential 3 zoning.
• Approved transfer of $95,000 from council (auto, liability, property) insurance to council medical benefits insurance to cover benefits of the city’s self-funded health insurance polity. Last month $100,000 was transferred in the same manner.
• Set a special meeting for Nov. 22 at 6:15 p.m. to hear from Umbaugh and Associates regarding an increase in the sewage rates.
• Reviewed a memo from Warsaw Police Department Chief Steve Foster showing the department’s Harley Davidson motorcycle was driven 4,231 miles from March 30 to Nov. 3. The motorcycle officer also issued 230 citations, attended two officer funeral details, rode in the Warsaw Sesquicentennial Parade and assisted patrol cars during calls.
• Welcomed five students from Grose’s government class who attended the meeting.
• Heard from councilman Bob Morrison that he, Veteran’s Administration representative Mike Barnett and Don Nichols, American Legion Post 49 commander, will take supplies for wounded veterans to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., this weekend. The goods were collected by county 4-H clubs.
Morrison asked for something from the city to present to the hospital administration. All the councilmen agreed to sign a sesquicentennial poster for the presentation.
City council members are Jeff Grose, Charlie Smith, Joe Thallemer, George Clemens, Jerry Patterson, Bill Rhoades, Joe Thallemer and Bob Morrison.