1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting of the Urban Affairs Committee was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present: Barry Berg, Robin Curran, Shirley Doering, Shelley Madore, Sharon Schwartz, and Pam Sohlberg.

Members Absent: none.

Staff Present: Assistant Planner Margaret Milton and Assistant Planner Kathy Bodmer

Guests present: Dave Weidenfeller, BFI; Gary Boyum, Waste Management.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOTION: Barry Berg moved, seconded by Shelley Madore, to approve the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 30, 1999

MOTION: Shelley Madore moved, seconded by Barry Berg, to approve the minutes of the November 30, 1999 meeting with the correction that under Item #3A that Shirley Doering suggested that the nominations be moved to later in the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

4. DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. REFUSE COLLECTION PROGRAM

Kathy Bodmer introduced the item by saying that the City Council authorized the distribution of the survey as requested by the Committee. She said that the survey had not yet been mailed out so that Committee Members could make any last corrections at the meeting. Shelley Madore suggested that the outside of the envelope say "Survey Enclosed" or "Your Opinion Counts" or something to bring attention to it. The rest of the Committee agreed. A discussion ensued about the types of homes that would receive the survey. Kathy Bodmer explained that the database from which the addresses will be taken includes single family homes and townhomes, both owner-occupied and rented homes.

Kathy Bodmer then reviewed a letter from Dick's Sanitation that was received after the packets were mailed out. The letter stated that Dick's was not opposed to doorside collection of refuse, but was opposed to an organized collection program.
Next, Kathy distributed the findings of a telephone survey that was conducted in 1997 by Decision Resources, Ltd., a professional polling firm. The survey was funded by a grant from Dakota County and conducted for the City's recycling and natural resources programs. The survey results indicated that of 300 people interviewed, 33% said that they would prefer curbside collection of refuse and recycling, while 57% stated that they preferred to continue with the current doorside collection program.

Shirley Doering asked if the haulers present would like to address the committee. David Weidenfeller of BFI stated that it was one hauler who brought up this issue in the first place. He said that BFI was aware of the City's ordinance when they began hauling in the City, and was willing to continue to provide doorside collection service. He stated that BFI was not opposed to doorside collection, but that the company was strongly opposed to organized collection.

Robin Curran asked how the topic of organized collection was brought up. Barry Berg reviewed the recent history of the Committee's deliberations and explained that it wasn't a matter of economics, but more an issue of the number of trucks on the street at one time. Shirley Doering asked whether the review of an organized collection program was within the scope of the City Council's charge to the Committee. Kathy Bodmer responded that the Council specifically asked the Committee to review the matter of curbside v. doorside collection of refuse, but that the Council had given the Committee latitude to study other aspects of refuse collection if that would be helpful for their recommendations.

Gary Boyum of Waste Management agreed with the comments made by the BFI representative, stating that his company was more than happy to provide doorside collection service in Apple Valley. He also said that his company was opposed to organized collection programs. He gave the example of the City of Roseville where all recycling is required to be collected in one day. He said this puts a strain on waste hauling companies because many trucks must be sent to that community to get the work done in one day.

Sharon Schwartz stated that it has always been the City's intention to allow residents to have freedom of choice of haulers. Other committee members pointed out concerns residents have expressed over the number of trucks driving through their neighborhood. Barry Berg suggested that research be done to determine the amount of wear and tear on City streets caused by refuse trucks and how this translates into increases in property taxes. Shirley Doering stated that the committee should wait for the results of the survey to determine the issues and concerns of the residents.

After more discussion, the Committee agreed that the survey should be printed on white paper with an Apple Valley logo. They also agreed that that a notification should be printed on the envelope saying "Please return by (date)"

MOTION: Sharon Schwartz moved, seconded by Pam Sohlberg, accepting the draft of the survey, to be mailed out to 1,000 households, with the envelope stating "Return requested by (appropriate date)". Motion passed unanimously.

B. PARKING OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

Margaret Milton introduced the item by updating the Committee on the City Council's review to the Urban Affairs Committee's recommendation. She explained that the City Council reviewed the memo and asked the Committee to further review the ordinance and provide a recommendation if necessary.

Shelley Madore asked if the neighborhood that had raised the issue regarding the recreational vehicle had been contacted regarding mediation services. Margaret Milton explained that the City Attorney's Office advised against providing information regarding private mediation services unless the City was willing to provide it. Shelley stated that she was concerned that the City had not followed up with the neighborhood to inform them of the City's action. Margaret stated that she would write a letter to the neighborhood.

Next, Margaret Milton presented a potential ordinance change which states that all recreational vehicles must be parked a minimum of 13' back from the edge of the roadway. This change was based on the recommendations the Committee presented to the City Council. Margaret explained that in neighborhoods with sidewalks, vehicles cannot be parked on a driveway in such a way that they block the sidewalk. The proposed ordinance would provide the same requirement for streets that do not have sidewalks. Margaret noted that the ordinance would not prohibit the parking of larger vehicles at the residence. Instead, it would require that a different location be found for parking the vehicle.

Sharon Schwartz asked what the City Council's position on the matter was. Margaret stated that one Councilmember seemed not in favor of the ordinance, while one other Councilmember seemed strongly in favor of it. The rest of the members didn't indicate their positions.

MOTION: Pam Sohlberg moved, seconded by Barry Berg, to support the proposed amendment to the ordinance requiring that recreational vehicles be parked a minimum of 13' from the edge of the roadway. Motion passed unanimously.

5. OTHER BUSINESS

Shirley Doering confirmed that the next meeting of the Urban Affairs Committee would be held Tuesday, March 28, 2000.

6. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Shelley Madore moved, seconded by Sharon Schwartz to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.