08121996 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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37 Regular Meeting August 12, 1996 Page 3 Ms. Hughson expressed concern our current recycling contract does not recycle everything that is recyclable. Some private businesses in town are taking care of that. That business participated in the neighborhood cleanup and was not compensated for what they hauled off, and Ms. Hughson would like to see that built in to continue and for them to be compensated for the work they are doing. Ms. Hughson wants to see the City work with whomever to recycle as much as r~ possible instead of this going to a landfill (Mr. Guerra left the , Chambers during this discussion - 8:23 p.m.). Mayor Moore agreed with Ms. Hughson. Mayor Moore talked with Kyle Hahn of Green Guys recently who advised Mayor Moore they have good business gathering many recyclables but do not have cash flow, and have had to reduce their staff. They perform an important service collecting tires, batteries, some toxic and hazardous materials, motor oil and other things contractors cannot or will not do. Mayor Moore advised Mr. Hahn to talk with City staff regarding upcoming neighborhood cleanups, and Ms. Hughson stated we should be budgeting for this service to be compensated. Mr. Hernandez stated it was merely a matter of amending our current contract for the contractor to recycle these items and charge additional money when probably less than twenty percent of the citizens are using the service and one hundred percent are paying for it. Mr. Hernandez stated he views what the private company is doing as free enterpris€. He stated he thought BFI would probably be happy to do additional service for an additional charge, and Mr. Hernandez stated he would not be in favor of doing that. Ms. Hughson stated when the contract will expire, she will want the City to look at bidding the contract to see what other contractors have to offer to see who will provide the best deal for what she is interested in. Mayor Moore stated one of those items in particular he would want recycled is brush, and Ms. Hughson stated it should be mulched and not carried to a landfill. Mr. Hernandez stated the Council should look at this sort of thing for the contract real closely with a lot of lead time because the City will have 180 days. The contract needs to be looked at in February or March. Ms. Hughson stated she will be interested in seeing what options are available, because the present contractor is not doing all she would like to see done. Mr. Hernandez stated we need to remember the $1.80 charge will go up and with the market down on recyclables there is no guarantee our recyclables are not going to the landfill now. Mayor Moore stated he thinks twenty-six percent are recycling, and Mr. Hernandez thought that figure was high. Ms. Hughson did not have a dollar figure what the cost of the 'cleanups would be but thought it needed to be mentioned now or might not be dealt with for another year. Mr. Mihalkanin stated he agrees this needs to be looked at. Mayor Moore stated in the two neighborhood cleanups there were two rollaways and we cleaned up fourteen. Mr. Hernandez added volunteers worked in the cleanups and residency was not checked, so some of the collection was not from San Marcos and the Green Guys were overwhelmed with the amount. Mr. Hart stated if the request is to add money to the budget for the Green Guys to participate in neighborhood cleanups, then he is not in favor of this. He is willing to look at the possibility of proposals. Ms. Hughson agreed she was all for bidding for this service and feels we have to put money in the budget so it can be bidded. Mr. Hart stated at this time we do not know what funding is needed and should ask Staff to look into this matter and amend the budget later on. Mayor Moore discussed the possibility of a permanent tourist 'I information center emplacement at Tanger Mall and wants to provide - $5,000.00 from Hotel/Motel funds for this (Mr. Guerra returned to the Chambers - 8:32 p.m.). Mr. Hernandez stated CVB needed to be responsible for the center or centers and let them reallocate funds. They stated Tanger would be totally manned with volunters. They have paid staff at the other center which has resulted in problems too. Mr. Guerra stated CVB needs to determine where to locate tourist centers. Mr. Mihalkanin stated the volunteers at Tanger knew the Chamber booth was on loan and that the Chamber had already promised different entities they could use it. Mr. Mihalkanin stated he and George Forrester built a new backdrop to hold pictures and an upholsterer is covering it and it will be ready this week. Mr. Mihalkanin and Mr. Forrester are splitting the cost for this, and Mr. Neighbors has advised them the Chamber has extra pictures that can be used with the new backing. This can be set up before