July 14, 2009

Meeting was called to order at 7:04 am. Present at the July meeting were Burdett, Chowdhary, Lyon, Mikus, Piatek-Jimenez, and Woodruff.

Mikus gave a status on the MRFs (Isabella Co. Materials Recycling Facility) recycling proposal to the township.

• The Public Works committee has received the proposal from the MRF and is sending the residential component to the board for review. They have determined that we need a resolution from the county and the township to initiate curb-side recycling based on a per household charge.
• The twp would bill an annual charge of $17 to residential households to be included on the tax bill for bi-weekly pickup.
• Equipment cost is covered by the township and is a good 2% request item. Collaborative requests are more likely to be funded and the township can show a partnering with the county and a resolution of support from Vision 20/20 is a possibility, Burdett will check with Al Kaufmann, V20/20's governmental liaison. Mikus stated the MRF would consider a leasing of equipment to the township on a short term basis to hold us over until a truck is purchased.
• Burdett announced that CMU has received recognition as "Recycler of the Year."
• Mikus asserted that most constituents will save money on their trash bills by the reduction of recyclables in the refuse stream, especially for those who pay on a per bag basis.
• Wagner stated that some of her neighbors have indicated they already recycle and felt they would be double charged. Mikus pointed out that some city's allow a reduction of the annual fee with a voucher system, and that the MRF would likely be open to that.
• Composting was discussed, with the possibility of a joint effort that could also generate income through sales of finished compost. Composting would not be a part of the recycling pick-up program.
• Encourage citizen participation and use of recycling by recognizing "neighborhood champions", student volunteering, competitions, and awards.

Woodruff gave an update on the bikeable walkable projects.

• Planning commission is drafting sidewalk ordinance.
• Township staff is working with MDOT for local and regional non-motorised projects and grant funding.

Other issues discussed

• Dead animal pick up
• Septic Field alternatives using vegetative filtering in heavy clay areas
• Headwaters and Chippewa River protection from Ag and commercial runoff

Recycling Services the County could provide Union Township

The collection cost per household would be $15 to $17 per year per household (including duplexes).
A collection truck will need to be procured by the County. The current truck and crew is operating full time providing services to six township, village and tribal communities.
The current recycling truck is used five days a week in six areas providing bi-weekly (every other week) service. The areas are: Rolland Twp, Deerfield Twp, Lincoln Twp, Village of Shepherd, Village of Lake Isabella, and Tribal area. Total homes approx 4100. That truck as was paid for with a 2% grant from the SCIT.
Union Township has approximately 2200 single family homes. A new truck would be used half time if used for bi-weekly pick up; more if multi family units were included.
The capital expense for a truck and curbside/roadside tubs is estimated to be $120,000 for the truck and $11,000 for approximately 2200 tubs., The expense for multi family EZ Recycler collection bins (to be placed near trash dumpsters) for apartment complexes.
The collection cost for apartments has not been determined.
Other financing options for truck purchase include, but may not be limited to:
1. Township millage
2. Township paying from the general fund balance
3. County purchase and roll the cost into the per HH price
4. Two percent request (many tribal members live in Union Township).
Premliminary discussions about funding have been held with Tribal Council representatives.