CITY
OF SOUTH LYON
REGULAR
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
April
25, 2005
Mayor
Doyle called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Mayor
Doyle led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
PRESENT:
Mayor Doyle
Council
Members: Crawford, Dryer, Schwarck and Wallace
City Manager Cook
Attorney
Lee
City
Clerk/Treasurer Zemke
Department
Heads: Collins, Martin & Renwick
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES:
Councilman
Dryer stated that under Citizens’ Suggestions, he indicated that there would
be a presentation on recycling at the next meeting and referred to increasing
the rate of recycling, not the rates in terms of money.
CM
4-1-05- APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APRIL 11, 2005
Motion by Crawford, supported by Wallace
To approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 11, 2005 as
amended
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVAL
OF MONTHLY BILLS:
None
APPROVAL
OF AGENDA
CM
4-2-05 – APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Dryer, supported by Schwarck
To approve the agenda as presented
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITIZENS
SUGGESTIONS:
Ms.
Donna Spencer of 1098 Colt Drive stated that she works with the South Lyon Youth
Assistance, and they have their annual Youth Recognition coming up on May 4th.
She had not heard if any of the Councilmembers would be attending.
She wanted to give a reminder and would be happy to take any RSVPs after
the meeting.
Ms.
Mariane Hernandez of 60400 Eleven Mile Road stated that prior to the
construction at Eleven Mile and Pontiac Trail, they never had water on the north
side of their barn.
She further stated that their neighbor has so much water in their front
yard they cannot even mow parts of their yard.
Discussion was held on drainage issues.
Ms. Hernandez stated that these new houses sit much higher than theirs.
Discussion was held on these houses along Eleven Mile backing up to
Carriage Trace.
City Manager Cook stated that we can have the engineers look at the
grading plans as well as the site to determine why there is so much ponding
there.
He stated that someone will make contact with her after this is done.
Ms. Hernandez stated that she does understand that this used to be
farmland and there are low spots, but they never had standing water like this.
Councilman
Wallace stated that next week is White Cane Week, which is one of the only
fundraisers conducted by the Lion’s Club.
He stated that the Lion’s Club is a leader dog group and raises funds
to provide glasses for those in need.
He stated that they are also involved with other community projects.
He stated that the town clock was one of their projects and they have
donated to the Witches Hat Depot, etc.
He further stated that they are now beginning to help with hearing aides
as well.
Councilman
Dryer stated that he would like to remind everyone that the city-wide garage
sales will be next weekend, April 30th and May 1st.
Mayor Doyle stated that this is a once a year event in which we do not
charge for a garage sale permit.
OLD
BUSINESS:
Presentation
– Mike Csapo, General Manager – Resource Recovery and Recycling
Authority of Southwest Oakland County
Mr.
Mike Csapo, General Manager of the Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of
Southwest Oakland County (RRRASOC) stated that RRRASOC is the municipal solid
waste authority of which the City is a member.
They work with the City on their recycling and solid waste programs and
help organize the household hazardous waste program.
He stated that the City, last year, recycled 424 tons of material.
The City of South Lyon has a long-standing, comprehensive recycling
program.
Many communities across the state do not have such a program.
744 tons of material was converted to compost from the City of South
Lyon.
That is about 25% of the waste stream, which leaves 75% of material that
went to landfills.
Michigan’s recycling rate is about 20%, which is not that good.
The Great Lakes states average is 27%.
RRRASOC communities as a whole is 31%, therefore South Lyon is below the
RRRASOC average, but still above the Michigan average.
They surveyed 70 communities last year looking at comprehensive programs
across the state, and the average recycling is 88 pounds per capita per year.
South Lyon is at 72 pounds per capita.
Mr.
Csapo stated that although they are not necessarily here to talk about cost, one
of the things that he does look at is what communities are paying their solid
waste vender, in South Lyon’s case, Great Lakes Waste, and that number is
outstanding.
Last year, South Lyon’s per household cost was $117.
On average, RRRASOC communities are paying $126, and in Southeast
Michigan it is $133 and Oakland County $142 per household.
Mr.
Csapo stated that they did some surveys in the Farmington and Farmington Hills
area, and if the same survey was done in South Lyon, the numbers would be
slightly different.
They know that 84% of everyone recycles at least once a month. We know
that most people think recycling is important.
We know that 2/3 of everyone recycle every other week, and we know that
6.5% of people do not recycle and say that nothing would make them recycle.
One of their missions is to try and convince people that it is important.
One of the things that we know is that if you landfill one ton of waste,
it creates one job.
If you recycle one ton of waste, it creates nine jobs.
We also know that it is good for the environment.
Over 300 tons of air and water pollution was not created due to the
efforts of the RRRASOC communities.
About 92,000 trees were preserved through recycling efforts. Enough
energy was saved to run about 950 homes for an entire year.
Greenhouse gases were reduced by 4% of the total emissions within the
RRRASOC communities due to recycling efforts.
Recycling is good for the economy and good for the environment.
Mr.
Csapo discussed the perception of convenience versus the value people place on
recycling.
People who value recycling tend to think it is convenient; if they do not
value it, they think it is not convenient.
There are some simple things to improve recycling.
One of the things that came from their survey is that 24% of people who
do not recycle said they would recycle more often if they had a recycling bin.
He stated that it never occurred to them that people were not recycling
simply because they did not have a bin. So, you will see in their newsletter and
on their website that if you do not have a recycling bin call RRRASOC, call the
City or call the waste hauler and we can get you one.
He stated that he cannot change people’s values, but he can certainly
get them a recycling bin.
Some of the new things that people may or may not know.
Last year they added junk mail to the recycling program.
People can mix it with their newspapers, or put it in a separate bag, or
if it is shredded, put it in a clear plastic bag.
The only thing they do not want is anything metallic coated or plastic
coated.
They do not care about staples, plastic windows, color, etc.
Also new this year, they are adding paper shredding to their household
hazardous waste day.
A company from Farmington is donating their services, and they will take
up to 100 pounds per car.
They will issue a certificate of destruction, and they will guarantee
that they will not leave that site until it is shredded.
They are also doing a mercury thermometer exchange.
If you bring a mercury thermometer, they will give you a new digital
thermometer, limited to one per household.
This is a way to get mercury out of the waste stream.
They are continuing to improve the programs and find ways to serve the
residents better.
Anything they can do to help promote recycling in South Lyon, please let
them know.
Councilman
Dryer stated we certainly have a good recycling program, but as far as he is
concerned, we are not using them enough.
He asked if there is anything in particular that the South Lyon residents
do not recycle as much as others.
Mr. Csapo stated that he cannot identify a specific commodity that is not
recycled more than others.
He discussed the recycling rates in South Lyon as compared to other
communities.
He stated that one of the things about South Lyon is that the City has a
lot more new residents with people moving in from other areas that may not be
aware of the recycling programs.
He stated that one of the things that they find from those people who
find it inconvenient is that they have some misperceptions; like they have to
remove labels
from
cans or bottles or they have to crush the cans, etc.
They find that there are people doing things that they do not have to do
in this day and age, things that they had to do years ago.
For example, paper mills can accept staples; their process removes
staples, so there are people who do not want to recycle office paper because
they do not want to take the time to remove the staples.
Discussion
was held on caps on plastic bottles.
Mr. Csapo stated that caps from plastic bottles do have to be removed.
The rings are fine.
If the cap is left on, it contaminates the entire bottle.
Councilman
Dryer stated that he has noticed that Ann Arbor has about 50% recycling.
Mr. Csapo stated that Ann Arbor does have one of the premiere programs in
the country.
What is possible in a university community is not necessarily possible in
other communities given their population base, etc.
We do have all of the elements in place to recycle 40-45% of our waste.
It is a matter of encouraging people to do it and convincing people that
it is convenient.
Discussion
was held on other recyclables such as cardboard.
Mr. Csapo explained that cardboard does need to be bundled into 2x2x1
squares.
He explained the problem with cardboard boxes such as size and getting it
into the truck.
The
question was asked if propane tanks can be brought to the household hazardous
collections.
Mr. Csapo stated that they will take them with or without propane.
He stated that one of the things they do not want to see at the household
hazardous waste collections is latex paint.
Latex paint is not toxic once it is dry.
He explained the if you take the lid off, add some kitty litter if needed
and once dried, can be put it in a garbage bag and put it in the regular trash.
He reviewed the items taken at these drop off days including used
computer equipment, pesticides, oil based paint, etc.
Mr. Csapo stated that the collection dates are May 7th in
Farmington Hills at the Costick Center and June 4th at Lyon Township
Park.
They will be at these locations from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bids
– Dump Truck (2)
Accept
bid of Wolverine
Superintendent
Renwick stated that bids were opened on April 19th, and out of seven
bid packets that were mailed, we received two bids.
He stated that with the trade-in, Motor City Ford is the low bidder with
the difference between the two bids being $282.
Wolverine Truck uses Knapeheide as their equipment supplier.
Kanpeheide also supplied the equipment for the last truck that we
purchased.
The use of identical equipment will greatly minimize the parts inventory
needed to be kept on hand, and would most likely make up the difference in
trade-in value between the two bids. Furthermore, the control setup would be the
same as what we currently have, making the operation of the vehicles standard.
He would recommend accepting the bid from Wolverine Truck sales.
Attorney
Lee stated that if Council wishes to proceed with the recommendation, they would
have to waive the awarding of the bid to the low bidder stating the reason why.
Councilman
Dryer asked if both trucks are Ford.
Superintendent Renwick stated that they are essentially identical trucks.
Councilman Dryer asked if these trucks would be used for anything other
than snow plowing.
Superintendent Renwick stated that these trucks would be used year around
for various duties such as chipping tree limbs and branches, hauling sand and
gravel, hauling sludge for the wastewater plant, etc. as well as snow plowing.
CM
4-3-05 – WAIVER OF LOW BID
Motion by Dryer, supported by Wallace
To waive the low bid due to reduced maintenance cost with accepting the
second lowest bid
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CM
4-4-05 – ACCEPTANCE OF BID – PURCHASE OF TWO DUMP TRUCKS
Motion by Schwarck, supported by Dryer
To accept the bid from Wolverine Truck Sales for the purchase of two dump
trucks at a total cost of
$200,036, after trade-in
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NEW
BUSINESS:
Anxiety
Screening Day – May 4, 2005
Ms.
Maryjane Matson of 779 Westbrooke stated that she is one of the mental health
professionals supporting the anxiety screening day.
This is a good opportunity to provide information and support for people
who might struggle with anxiety, and offer it in a way less threatening than
other opportunities they might have.
The
question was asked what type of treatment is involved for anxiety disorders.
Ms. Matson stated that the standard treatment is either talk therapy or
medication or a combination of both.
CM
4-5-05 - Resolution Declaring May 4, 2005 as Anxiety Screening Day in South Lyon
Motion by Doyle, supported by Crawford
WHEREAS,
May 4, 2005 is Anxiety Disorders Screening Day on a national level; and
WHEREAS,
Local mental health professionals participating in national Anxiety Disorders
Screening Day are providing this screening free of charge to the South Lyon area
communities; and
WHEREAS,
There are 12 distinct subtypes of Anxiety Disorders which affect nearly a
quarter (24.9%) of the adult population in the United States at any given time;
and
WHEREAS,
The National Institute of Mental Health has determined that the earlier Anxiety
Disorders are detected and treated, the better the outcome; and
WHEREAS,
Treatment allows afflicted individuals to return to relatively normal,
productive lives;
THEREFORE
be it,
RESOLVED,
That the South Lyon City Council declares May 4, 2005 as Anxiety Screening Day
in South Lyon; and be it finally
RESOLVED,
That the South Lyon City Council supports local screening efforts that allow the
early detection and treatment of anxiety disorders for all South Lyon area
citizens.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Ms.
Matson stated that they would like to thank Council for their support and
welcome everyone to come out and participate in the screening that will take
place May 4th at the Crossroads Community Church, which is located
between Larry’s Food and Rite Aid Pharmacy.
They will be there from 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
CM
4-6-05 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Crawford, supported by Schwarck
To adjourn the meeting at 8:09 p.m.
VOTE:
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully
Submitted,
_______________________________
________________________________
John
Doyle, Jr., Mayor
Julie C. Zemke, City Clerk/Treasurer