HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-12-19 - City Commission Special Meeting MinutesE
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7525 NORTHWEST 88TH AVENUE 0 TAMARAC, FLORIDA 33321-2401
TELEPHONE (305) 722.5900
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
There will be a Special Meeting of the City Council on Monday, December 19, 1988 at
10:00 A.M., in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 7525 N.W. 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
The purpose of this meeting is discussion and possible action regarding recycling.
F I ML ACTION:_
DISCUSSION was held with various representatives of condominiums throughout the City
regarding recycling.
The Council may consider and act upon such other business as may come before it.
All meetings are open to the public.
Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes
If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the city
Council with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or
7learing, ho will need a record of the proceedings end for such
ozirpose, he may need to ensure that a verbatim nXW inCluft
2 c b testimony and evidence upon which the appeal IS tp be bBSed�
CAE/gt
Carol A. Evans
City Clerk
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAPPED STATUS
E
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CITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1988
TAPE 1
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Abramowitz called this meeting to Order on
May, December 19, 1988 at 10:00 A.M. in the Council Chambers.
MEDITATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Abramowitz called for the
Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of Silent Meditation dedicated
to the wife of Mort Cherry, who passed away.
PRFRRMT e
ALSO PRESENT:
Mayor Norman Abramowitz
Vice Mayor Jack Stelzer
Councilman Dr. H. Larry Bender
Councilman Bruce Hoffman
Councilman Henry Rohr
John P. Kelly, City Manager
Richard Doody, City Attorney
Pauline Walaszek, Special Services
Secretary
The purpose of this meeting is discussion and possible action
regarding recycling.
Mayor Abramowitz introduced the City Council, City
Manager and City Attorney to the Audience.
Mayor Abramowitz said the purpose of the meeting was
because the State mandated that the Cities and Counties
engage in a recycling program by July, 1989. He said
there was a nationwide problem regarding how a recycling
program could be implemented for the Condominiums.
Mayor Abramowitz said this meeting would allow the
Condominium residents to comment on, discuss and suggest
a workable recycling program for their Condominiums. He
asked that the residents identify themselves, their
Condominium Complex and building height.
Mayor Abramowitz announced that Ben Sonnenreich and Jerry
Resnick, Councilmen from North Lauderdale, were present
at the meeting.
City Manager Kelly said the City has been negotiating
with Waste Management, Inc., regarding a Contract for
single-family units. He said the City had a population
of 42,000 and there are 13,000 single --family units and
7,000 multi -family units. He said the national average
of solid waste generation is 6.57 pounds per person per
day or 1.27 tons per person per year. He said the State
of Florida's average of solid waste generation is 6.9 to
8.2 pounds per person per day or 1.49 tons per person per
year.
City Manager Kelly said providing a recycling program for
the Condominiums was a problem and there were no
solutions available. He said Waste Management, Inc.,
indicated that their proposed Contract would be for
single-family homes.
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12/19/88
City Manager Kelly said the Representatives of Waste
Management, Inc., have travelled around the Country and
were familiar with the problems and were reviewing the
needs.
C/M Rohr said he visited several Condominiums with Waste
Management, Inc., and surveyed the areas. He said each
Condominium was a separate problem and individual
treatment would be needed to determine how a recycling
program could be implemented.
C/M Rohr said it was very important for the Condominium
residents to realize that they were vital to the success
of recycling in the City. He said there were two
incinerator plants being built and the cost for tipping
fees in the future would be increased from $34.00 per ton
to $62.00 per ton. He said the Cities and Counties had
to work to decrease the waste flow or the cost for
dumping would be tremendous.
C/M Rohr said recycling was needed for economical and
environmental reasons and it was vital for the residents
to participate with the program. He said it was
difficult to get the residents to participate unless the
program was convenient. He said each individual
Condominium would have to be visited and surveyed in
order to get a workable, feasible program. He said a
program could and would be created because it had to be
created.
Warren Smith, Marketing Development Manager of Waste
Management, Inc., said the Florida Legislature passed
Recycling Legislation that contained several items that
would be legislated by the State such as how to handle
infectious waste, tires, white goods, etc. He said a
major portion of the Legislation was recycling and a goal
for the State, Counties and Cities was set to reduce the
waste stream by recycling/reuse by 30% by July, 1994. He
said a goal for Community recycling was set to recycle a
majority of aluminum cans, newspaper, steel/tin cans and
plastic bottles. He said these recycling programs must
be implemented by July 1, 1989.
Mr. Smith said there were several programs available such
as the curbside multi -material recycling program. He
said this program was operated in a way the would have
the residents rethink the way they dealt with their
trash. He said the program would require the residents
to rinse bottles and cans separating them from the other
non -recycling materials. He said each single-family home
would be given a small plastic bin to place the recycling
items in and placed at the curbside for pick-up by Waste
Management, Inc.
Mr. Smith said there were problems in finding a workable
program for multi -family units and condominiums. He said
Waste Management, Inc., was currently servicing
approximately 700,000 residential areas with the curbside
program; however, the experience with condominiums was
limited. He said Waste Management, Inc., was entering
into experience in other States on this matter. He said
the residents of condominiums would be asked to separate
recycling materials for pick-up.
Mr. Smith said when Waste Management, Inc., and C/M Rohr
visited some of the Condominium areas, they found that
each condominium had to be determined separately in
finding a workable recycling program. He said the
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12/19/88
configuration of the waste chutes and refuse rooms were
different from each other and a program had to be
established for each unit so that the equipment available
for pick-up could operate efficiently and accurately. He
said in order to get a workable program for each
condominium the residents had to assist the City and
Waste Management, inc., in finding a workable recycling
program.
Mayor Abramowitz said he has heard several comments
regarding the profits made in recycling. He said the
City and residents should not be concerned about the
profits at this time because regardless of what they
were, the State was mandating that the programs be
implemented. He said the proposed program for
single-family homes would consist of one container for
all of the recycling materials to be placed by the
curbside for Waste Management, Inc., to pick-up. He said
Waste Management, Inc., would take the material to their
plant and separate it.
Mayor Abramowitz said he asked that the Condominiums
Associations attend this meeting to suggest solutions for
a program.
Matty Matthews, Resident of Kings Point, had concerns
with available space in the Condominiums for containers.
He asked that this be considered because his complex had
a very small kitchen area with limited cupboard space.
C/M Hoffman asked how many units there were in the
Complex and Mr. Matthews replied, 240 and the buildings
were 3 stories. C/M Hoffman asked that the residents
indicate the number of units in each Complex.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if Mr. Matthews' Condominium
Complex bundled their newspapers and took them to a
special dumpster and Mr. Matthews replied, yes. Mr.
Matthews said 95% of the residents in his Condominium
Complex participated in the newspaper recycling program.
Bernie Simms, Resident of Bermuda Club, said his
Condominium was a 3 story building with 36 units in each
building. He said he was glad that the residents would
not be required to separate each individual type of
material into different bins.
Mr. Simms said the average age in Bermuda Club was 70 to
80 and when things had to be taken downstairs, it was not
very easy. He said his Condominium used a chute and the
Bermuda Club residents would not object in participating
in the program providing the program was convenient for
the residents.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if there was a maintenance person
that could collect the bins from the residents every two
days providing the residents set the bins outside.
Mr. Simms said Bermuda Club only had two maintenance
people and there was not enough room in the units to
store the bins.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the trash rooms at Bermuda Club
could be used and Mr. Simms said the trash rooms were
very small.
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TAPE 2
C/M Rohr said the trash rooms were surveyed by him and
Waste Management, Inc., and he understood Mr. Simms when
he said the trash rooms were small. He said the City and
Waste Management, Inc., were going to work with each
Condominium Complex to create a program that would work
for them.
Irving Polk, Resident of Kings Point - Belfort, said
there were four 3 story buildings in his Complex that
contained 144 Units each and 48 Garden Units which
contained 400 Units. He said there was a program in West
Palm Beach which had three 55-gallon drums set adjacent
from the dumpsters for the residents to separate the
recycling materials. He said the Condominium Complexes
were given a rebate for separating these materials.
Mr. Polk said the City of Tamarac would get more
participants if this type of program was implemented and
if the residents knew they would be getting a rebate for
doing the separation. He suggested the City consider
this type of program.
V/M Stelzer asked how the garbage landed in the bins
after it was sent down the chute and Mr. Polk said the
garbage fell right into the bins.
Abe Garr, Resident of Kings Point, said the program would
work if the residents were placed on an incentive program
such as the residents in New York. He said the residents
were charged a deposit at the grocery markets for
recycling items and, after use, the residents brought the
containers back to the store for refund. He suggested
different color bags be used for different types of
materials collected. He said the City would get more
participants if they offered an incentive such as Green
Stamps, Parties, etc.
Brian Beckio, Resident of Kings Point, thanked the City.
Council for holding this meeting for the Condominium
residents. He said he felt uncomfortable having
volunteers collect the garbage from the residents and
leaving the bins or bags outside of their doors because
it was unsanitary and unreliable.
Mr. Beckio said the surrounding Cities were looking to
Cities like Tamarac and Sunrise which have a lot of
Condominiums for advice. He suggested that the Cities
meet and discuss these matters and concerns. He said the
City of Plantation had a program using garbage bags that
have to be purchased to subsidize the cost in collection.
He said this program was being reviewed by some Cities
in Palm Beach at this time. He said the residents of
Kings Point would volunteer to participate in the program
and assist in communicating with other Cities to work out
a program.
Mayor Abramowitz said he agreed with Mr. Beckio's
comments; however, the cost of the tipping fees was going
to triple. He said the State was making recycling
programs mandatory and the City of Tamarac had to find a
solution to their problems the other Cities may want to
follow; however, the City Council would work solely on
the City of Tamarac's concerns.
Dr. Leonard Stein, Resident of Fairways, said his
Condominium was 3 stories with 174 Units. He suggested
that the Building Codes be changed to accommodate the
trash chutes having separate compartments in the new
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12/19/88
developments. He had concerns with how the City would
handle the matter of residents not complying with the
program.
C/M Hoffman said the City was not in the position to
address this matter at this time. He said the State
mandated the Cities to have a recycling program and the
State would probably be sure that there were penalties
for those who do not comply. He said he would like to
see the matter implemented on a voluntary basis with the
residents.
Dr. Stein said having all of the recycling materials in
one container was an asset as opposed to multiple
containers.
Anthony Silvestri, Resident of Lime Bay, said his
development had 18 three story buildings with 42 units in
each building. He said there were two dumpsters in each
building and the rooms for the dumpsters were
approximately 100 square feet. He said if the dumpsters
could be reduced, there could be three separate dumpsters
for the material. He said the idea of different colored
bags was very good.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if there would be problems with
having a large plastic bag for the materials in his
Condominium Complex and Mr. Silvestri replied, no.
C/M Rohr said he would like the Condominiums to come to
the City and inform them of the space and solutions to
implementing a program.
Paul Bernikow, Resident of Lime Bay, said he was not in
favor of having plastic bags. He suggested that a more
permanent fixture be placed in the Condominium complexes.
He said this would help in compliance with the program.
C/M Hoffman said if there were two containers available
to the residents, one for organic materials and one for
recycling material the program would be more successful
and Mr. Bernikow said it would make the residents
participate in separating the material.
C/M Hoffman said Waste Management, Inc., would be
separating the material at their plant and Mr. Bernikow
said if separating the material would be a cost savings
to the residents, they would be more than willing to do
it.
V/M Stelzer said if the recycling material was separated
from the organic material the dumpsters would not have to
be so large. He asked if Waste Management, Inc., could
provide smaller dumpsters and Mr. Smith, Representative
of Waste Management, Inc., replied, yes.
V/M Stelzer said if the dumpsters could be smaller, the
recycling materials could have a separate dumpster. He
said the material could be taken to the dumpsters each
day and this would avoid the concerns of the residents in
not having enough room for the bags.
Mayor Abramowitz asked Mr. Smith what could be recycled
and Mr. Smith said newspapers, excluding any type of
plastic coated papers and magazines, aluminium cans,
steel/tin cans, plastic containers and glass.
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12/19/88
TAPE 3
Jack Levine, Resident of Sabal Palm, had concerns with
the residents understanding the program and what was
needed by them. He suggested that the residents be
informed by individually meeting with them. He said he
called Waste Management, Inc., several times regarding
having their dumpsters cleaned. He said the dumpsters
were smelling and the residents would appreciate
something being done.
George Gottfried, Resident of Sabal Palm, had concerns
with space availability for a recycling program. He said
sensible simple solutions were needed in order for the
residents to comply with the program. He said curbside
dumpsters may be the only solution for his Condominium
Complex. He said the residents would have to be informed
of what was needed in order for compliance to the
program. He suggested that there be fines assigned to
the Complexes that do not comply with the program.
Mayor Abramowitz said when the tipping fees were
increased to $62.00 per ton causing the residents' bills
to increase the residents would begin to comply with the
program.
Sonny Winnerman, Resident of Kings Point - Ashmont, said
there were 290 units and 138 units were three story
buildings and 152 were ground buildings. He asked if
future developments would be required to plan for
accommodations for the recycling program.
V/M Stelzer said there have been no discussions at this
point for changing the regulations.
Abe Garr, Resident of
Kings Point, asked
if aluminum cans
and tin cans could be
placed in the same
container and if
the glasses would have
to be sorted by color.
Mayor Abramowitz said
the City Manager has
been
negotiating with Waste
Management, Inc.,
regarding
placing the material in
one container.
He said the
residents would not be
required to place
the material in
specific order because
Waste Management,
Inc., would
separate the material.
Arthur Callenberry, Resident of Fairways, said his
Complex had 4 three story buildings with approximately 40
units in each building. He said there was one chute on
the second and third floors of each building. He said
the ground floors did not have chutes and the residents
took their garbage to the dumpsters. He said he did not
feel that placing the material in the catwalks was
unsanitary and dangerous.
Mr. Callenberry suggested that there be two dumpsters
available, one for newspaper and one for recycling
material.
Bernie Simms, Resident of Bermuda Club, asked what was to
be done with magazines, etc., and Mayor Abramowitz said
these items would be placed with regular garbage.
V/M Stelzer asked if telephone books could be recycled
and Warren Smith, Representative of Waste Management,
Inc., said telephone books were difficult to recycle
because of the glue and staples used on them.
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12/19/88
Mr. Simms had concerns with the newspapers piling up
until pick-up and C/M Rohr said if there was a
Condominium needing additional pick-up, Waste Management,
Inc., would make additional pick-ups.
Joe Stokvis, Resident of Sands Point, suggested that each
Condominium Association submit a survey to the City
Council as to the needs and suggestions in implementing a
program.
C/M Hoffman asked how many units were in Mr. Stokvis's
Complex and Mr. Stokvis replied, there were 570 units, 19
buildings with 30 units to each building.
Mr. Stokvis suggested that the dumpsters in his complex
be divided into three compartments for the residents.
C/M Rohr said he would begin working with Waste
Management, Inc., to meet with every Condominium Complex
to review their area and the problems. He said there
were igloos available that could be set outside of the
Complexes. He said the igloos were not obtrusive and, in
order to have these containers, each Condominium Complex
had to be surveyed to determine where these containers
could be placed.
C/M Hoffman said it was important to realize that out of
the 7,000 units in the City, 5,000 units were being
represented at this meeting. He said the City Council
was hoping that the residents would make these
suggestions. He said the City Council has
heard
several
suggestions and would review those suggestions
making a determination.
C/M Hoffman said the residents should be informed that
the City Council was not creating this program without
need. He said the State was mandating a recycling
program; therefore, the City Council was working to get
the best program for the residents.
Ms. Kelly, Broward County Solid Waste Management
Division, said the County would like to participate with
the City's Task Force. She said there were no
guidelines; therefore, the County and other Cities were
interested in the City of Tamarac and the City of Coconut
Creek's plans for a recycling program.
C/M Hoffman asked if there was Grant money available for
the Cities and Ms. Kelly said Grant money was available
for Cities with a population of 50,000 or more.
Ben Sonnenreich, Councilman for the City of North
Lauderdale, asked if two Cities could work together and
get the Grant money and Ms. Kelly replied that this may
be possible.
Mayor Abramowitz asked if the Councilmen of North
Lauderdale had any comments on the recycling matter.
Jerry Resnick, Councilman for the City of North
Lauderdale, said his Condominium had problems with
bringing newspapers to a dumpster for pick-up. He said
there was a cost in picking up the newspapers and he said
he found it hard to believe that Waste Management, Inc.,
would pick-up and separate the recycling material without
an additional cost.
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Mayor Abramowitz said the City of Tamarac was mainly
concerned with the space availability and compliance with
the program. He said as the recycling program
progressed, solutions to problems would be found.
Mr. Resnick had concerns with the organic material being
reduced with the recycling programs and he asked if the
tipping fee cost would continue to be lower because of
the cost saved with the recycling program.
Mayor Abramowitz said Waste Management, Inc., insured the
City that the costs of the recycling program would assist
in keeping the costs to the residents down.
C/M Hoffman said the State was mandating the Cities and
Counties to have a recycling program; therefore, the
concern of the tipping fees was needless.
Mr. Resnick suggested that the County explore this
matter.
Mr. Sonnenreich said the public must be educated
regarding the recycling program and that they would have
to pay more money if they did not comply with the
program. He said this meeting was very good and he was
concerned for the residents of condominiums because there
was a problem in getting a workable recycling program.
Mr. Resnick said the residents who have a problem in
getting their newspapers picked up should contact him
because he would inform them of a person who would
pick-up the newspapers.
Lou Silverman, Resident of Section 16, suggested that
penalties be given for noncompliance. He said the City
Codes should be changed for the new developments so that
areas could be available for the recycling program. He
said the rental areas would find the same problems as the
condominiums. He said he would be happy to place any
Articles on the recycling matter in the Tam -A -Gram.
Irving Polk, Resident of Kings Point, had concerns with
the tipping fees being increased. He said he did not
hear of the recycling program bringing in revenue.
Mayor Abramowitz said this matter has not been discussed
because it was being negotiated. He said if the garbage
amount was being reduced, the tipping fees would be
lower. He said negotiations with the City and Waste
Management, Inc., were still taking place. He said when
the matter was ready for an Agreement, the residents
would be informed. He said the City Council and the City
Manager were negotiating in the best interest of the
residents.
Bernie Simms, Resident of Bermuda Club, had concerns with
the private pickup of newspapers.
Mayor Abramowitz said the City would create an Ordinance
that would prohibit private pickup. He said the State
was indicating that if the Cities did not comply with the
State Legislation the Cities would not be able to get
their revenue sharing. He said this would cause the City
to work diligently to see that the program was working.
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C/M Hoffman said an anti -scavenger Ordinance would be
enacted and Mayor Abramowitz agreed because if the City
was not complying with the State's requirement of 30%,
there would be problems.
Mayor Abramowitz thanked the residents for attending the
meeting and giving the City Council their suggestions and
sharing their concerns.
V/M Stelzer suggested that Waste Management, Inc., submit
costs to the City for picking up newspapers and recycling
materials from Condominiums.
C/M Hoffman thanked the residents for attending and he
said he was hoping that a workable program for each
condominium could be implemented.
C/M Rohr said as the program progressed the solutions to
the problems would be found. He said he was looking
forward to visiting the different Condominiums and
working with the Associations to find a workable
recycling program for all of the residents.
C/M Bender thanked the residents for attending the
meeting and he said he would like to see the Cities work
together to defray the costs.
Mayor Abramowitz said at a recent Mayors' meeting, the
surrounding Cities felt that the matter should be the
County's responsibility; however, the City of Tamarac did
not feel this way. He said the City was going to do the
best they could to have a successful program. He thanked
the residents for attending the meeting.
With no further business,
meeting at 12:00 P.M.
CAROL A. EVANS, CITY CLERK
Mayor Abramowitz ADJOURNED the
RMAN ABRAMOWITZ, MAYO �.
"This public document was promulgated at a cost of $125.40 or $20.90 per
copy to inform the general public, public officers and employees of
recent opinions and considerations of the City Council of the City of
Tamarac."
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�,i A( OF TAMARAC
Af' ROVED AT MEETING OF
City Clerk