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