2021-06-23 Minutes
SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
City Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue Meridian, Idaho
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 4:00 PM
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Minutes
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PRESENT
Mark Nelson
Megan Larsen
Steve Cory
Taryn Richmond
Scott Walters
Rand Spiwak
Shawn Keating
Isabel Kau
Rachele Klein, Republic Services Ex-Officio
Liz Strader, City Council Ex-Officio
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
1. June 23rd 2021 Agenda Adopted
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2. May 26th Meeting Minutes Approved
COMMUNITY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
No community acknowledgements at this time
PROGRAM REPORT
3. Republic Services - Service concerns
a. Misses/delays
b. Phone time waits
Solid Waste Advisory Commission Meeting – Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Page 1 of 3
All Materials presented at public meetings shall become property of the City of Meridian
Bob Olson from Republic Services spoke of issues that lead to service delays from the
week after Memorial day. 8 employees used flex time to take an extra day off that
week. It is noted RS needs to do a better at communicating issues. Bob is new to the
area and noted the large increase in volume after Memorial day is usual but
unexpected to him. 24 additional disposal trips which equals at least one additional
lead that needs to be added. They will better prepare next year although the increase
in population to the area will require one additional truck and route changes. New
routes have been approved. Receiving the additional truck can take a few months.
20 more CNG lines need to be added and that is being done right now. They had not
prepared for this earlier as the volume had been flat up until February. It took a
couple of months to realize they need to add more. They have 11 drivers in training
right now. Only 9 slots short in the region. They recovered the delays within 5 days.
They also had increased call time waits. Upon examination they can see there is an
increase in volume from January to June every year. Next year they will look at
potentially adding temporary workers to help. Call volume is usually 70 calls per day
but it had increased to 100 during Memorial week, impossible to manage. They are
preparing so that does not happen again. Commissioner Strader expressed how she
has received frustrated feedback from citizens. Phone wait time is a big deal and
wanted to hear about alternative ways to get through. Bob expressed they now have
an email address listed on the wait recording which is much faster. Rachel Klein
indicated phone prompts will be coming in the next few months where citizens can
leave a message and receive a call back.
4. Recycle Fund Update
a. Balance
b. Considerations
The current balance of the Community Recycle Fund is $46,076.80. Chair Steve Cory
described what the funds have been used for in the past and asked the commissioners
for feedback and suggestions on use of the funds. Commissioner Keating suggested a
commercial recycling contest. He, with the help of Mark Nelson will work on a
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project presentation for the July 28 meeting.
Rachel Klein indicated Konrad will be able to assist with grant applicants. The
details of the grant application process will be sent out to all commissioners so they
have a better understanding of the program.
Bill Nary brought a discussion forward on informing the council of the parameters of
this potential program. It was agreed this was necessary on a future work session
agenda before SWAC picks a use of the funds. Bill will reach out to the mayor about
putting this on the agenda within the next month.
5. Rate Discussion Dates
City staff outlined the rate discussion for FY 22 with Republic Services will occur oh
thth
July 7. The rates will be presented to SWAC at the July 28 meeting for
Solid Waste Advisory Commission Meeting – Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Page 2 of 3
All Materials presented at public meetings shall become property of the City of Meridian
consideration. The intent is to have the rates presented to council by the end of Aug,
beginning of September. This would have the rates in place for the beginning of FY
22 on Oct 1.
OLD BUSINESS \[ACTION ITEMS\]
6. Recycle a Bicycle Donation Update
Rachele Klein updated the group on the progress of repairing bikes and delivering to
the community. Commissions Nelson, Keating and Walters have been out to assist
with repairing the bikes. They have a late order from Meridian Elementary for 72
bicycles for kids, parents, foster parents or guardians. They have 42 more bicycles to
repair to fill this order. They dropped 19 bicycles off at Big Brothers and Big Sisters
as well. Republic must move quickly as the Amazon road will going through where
the bikes are stored and need to be moved. They have sent out over 1000 bicycles
from this program so far. More volunteers would be appreciated.
7. Solid Waste Coordinator Update
The City has hired a new Solid Waste Coordinator and the individual will be starting
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on August 23 as the individual is moving from Minnesota.
NEXT MEETING - July 28, 2021
ADJOURNMENT – Adjourned at 4:58 pm
Solid Waste Advisory Commission Meeting – Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Page 3 of 3
All Materials presented at public meetings shall become property of the City of Meridian