CITY OF WIXOM PONTIAC TRAIL REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013

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1 CITY OF WIXOM PONTIAC TRAIL REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013 Mayor Hinkley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at which time the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A moment of silence was given for the fallen veterans. Present: Mayor: K. Hinkley Deputy Mayor: J. Cutright P. Beagle M. Giddings L. Rich T. Rzeznik R. Ziegler AGENDA CHANGES: There were no changes to the Agenda. PRESENTATION: 1.) Curbside Clothing Collection Pilot Program Presentation Mike Csapo, General Manager of Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County (RRRASOC), was present to request the establishment of a Curbside Clothing Collection Pilot Program in the City of Wixom. Mr. Csapo explained this program was originated because American households generate about 70 pounds of used clothing per year, with 85% of the clothes ending up in the trash/landfill. Simple Recycling, a company that was formed to harvest the trashed clothing, came up with a concept of a curbside collection for used clothing to be collected on the same day as the regular trash service without affecting the 15% of donated clothing. Mr. Csapo said the program would work by allowing Simple Recycling to distribute colored bags with instructions to Wixom residents. If the resident has any clothing they would like to discard, they will place the clothing in the colored bags and set it out with their regular trash. Simple Recycling would then pick up the bags. From there, the material would go into a thrift store supply chain in Southeast Michigan for resale and reuse. He noted that some of the clothing or textile may not be appropriate for domestic resale, so those items would be further evaluated for overseas markets for resale or recycled for their textile content. The Pilot Program is going to run for four months. After the first 90 days, volumes and data will be evaluated and they will come back to the City to report those figures. If it is all working well, and with the City s blessing, Simple Recycling would continue to offer this program to Wixom residents on a more permanent basis for two to three years. He explained that Simple Recycling would pay RRRASOC a penny per pound, which is consistent with the commodity value with this type of material. There would be no cost to the City, RRRASOC, or Wixom residents. In addition, the homeowner is under no obligation to participate in the program. Should a homeowner utilize this program frequently and need more bags, they would call Simple Recycling and the bags would be delivered to them through the mail. To be noted, the encouragement of donating to the charities in the area will still be promoted because they don t want to take away the donations

2 Wixom City Council Meeting November 12, 2013 Page 2 to Salvation Army, Goodwill, Purple Heart, etc. Mr. Csapo explained that this is a new concept in Michigan. Wixom, along with South Lyon, will be on the cutting edge of the recycling industry. Mayor Hinkley asked where the clothes go once they are picked up from the curb. Mr. Csapo said that Simple Recycling works with a number of thrift stores in Southeast Michigan. The thrift stores evaluate the clothing and retain about 65% for resale, while the remainder of the clothes are sent to overseas markets and recycled for their fiber content. Adam Winfield, Simple Recycling, said once the trucks pick up the clothing from the curbside, they go directly to the thrift store where they do the first round of sorting. Mayor Hinkley wondered if Simple Recycling would pick up the loose clothing on the ground should the bags rip. Mr. Winfield said they would pick up any items that may have fallen out of the bags and the homeowners could contact Simple Recycling should they have any issues or concerns. Councilmember Rzeznik wondered how many collection trucks were going to be part of this program. Mr. Csapo said Simple Recycling will have one truck per route. The plan is to coordinate with Waste Management and mirror the same route to maximize the efficiency. In addition, the Waste Management drivers will know what the Simple Recycling bags look like so they don t mistake it for garbage and pick it up. Councilmember Rzeznik asked if donation receipts will be available for those residents that donated. Mr. Csapo said they will not get a receipt for their donation; however, through media and marketing, residents will be encouraged to donate their clothing to local charities so they can obtain a receipt for their donation. Councilmember Rzeznik asked if the contract and liability insurance would be taken care of before the Pilot Program began. Mr. Csapo said the contract itself is between RRRASOC and Simple Recycling. A copy of the contract and liability insurance would be available to Wixom. Councilmember Giddings wondered if Value World was part of the network with Simple Recycling. Adam Winfield said they were, but they are an independent company. Councilmember Giddings wondered why the recycling trucks we already have can t take the clothing. Mr. Csapo said that once clothing and textiles are mixed in with the other recyclables, it will quickly render that material not saleable; also, clothing and textiles would damage the recycling equipment. Councilmember Rich noted her family usually bags up their clothes and takes them to the Salvation Army. On occasion she has thrown away clothing she thought nobody would want. She asked Mr. Csapo if those items she deemed un-wearable should go into the Simply Recycling bags as they plan on recycling them into textiles anyway. Mr. Csapo encouraged all clothing or textile to be bagged and let Simply Recycling and their charity partners determine the avenue of the clothing. Councilmember Ziegler wondered how this program would be marketed. Mr. Csapo said he envisioned a February 1, 2014 start date. He explained the vast majority of the community outreach will be when Simple Recycling hand delivers the bags and instructions of the program, followed up by press releases, website updates, and Facebook.

3 Wixom City Council Meeting November 12, 2013 Page 3 MINUTES: CM : Moved and seconded by Deputy Mayor Cutright and Councilmember Beagle to approve the Regular City Council meeting minutes of October 22, CORRESPONDENCE: (None) CALL TO THE PUBLIC: There were no public comments at this time. CITY MANAGER REPORTS: 1.) Summary of Fire Activities September ) Summary of Police Activities September 2013 There were no comments or questions regarding either report. CONSENT AGENDA: CM : Motion and second by Councilmembers Ziegler and Rzeznik to approve the Consent Agenda as presented which included: 1.) Consideration of the approval to receive and file: a.) Downtown Development Authority Minutes of July 23, 2013 b.) Library Board Minutes of September 23, 2013 b.) Planning Commission Minutes of October 7, ) Consideration of the 2014 City Council Meeting Schedule UNFINISHED BUSINESS: (None) NEW BUSINESS: 1.) Consideration of Mayoral Appointment a.) Senior Commission Connie Salvati with a term to expire June 30, 2016 CM : Moved and seconded by Deputy Mayor Cutright and Councilmember Beagle to confirm the Mayor s appointment of Connie Salvati to the Senior Commission with a term to expire June 30, ) Consideration of Curbside Clothing Recycling Pilot Program and Adoption of the Requisite Authorizing Resolution CM : Moved and seconded by Councilmember Rzeznik and Deputy Mayor Cutright to approve the participation in a four-month Curbside Clothing Recycling Pilot Program and adopt the following authorizing resolution:

4 Wixom City Council Meeting November 12, 2013 Page 4 RESOLUTION TO PARTICIPATE IN A CURBSIDE CLOTHING RECYCLING PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE PERIOD OF FOUR MONTHS WHEREAS, Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County (RRRASOC) and Simple Recycling partnered in establishing a four-month pilot program beginning February 1, 2014 for the curbside collection and recycling of used clothing; and WHEREAS, the City of Wixom wishes to join the Curbside Clothing Recycling Pilot Program for the purpose to test the success of the program; and, WHEREAS, the Program will help divert unwanted used clothing and material from our landfills to be sold in the thrift store network in southeast Michigan for resale, diverted to overseas resale markets or repurposed in the textile recycling market. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of Wixom hereby approves the City s participation in the Curbside Clothing Recycling Pilot Program. CALL TO THE PUBLIC: There were no public comments at this time. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Nowicki explained the DPW is in the midst of leaf collection. Our residents have been advised to check the City s website to find out when their collection would take place. Mr. Howell said the DPW has collected approximately 4400 cubic yards of leaves thus far. Also, to be noted, the DPW does respond to slick road complaints. Should a resident experience a slippery road, please contact City Hall or DPW. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilmember Ziegler congratulated the winners of this past election. He also congratulated the Clerk s office and volunteers for running a smooth election. He wondered why a traffic study was conducted. Mr. Nowicki said the Loon Lake Woods Homeowners Association indicated they had problems of speeding and increased volume within their subdivision. The results of the study were given to the homeowners of the Loon Lake Woods Subdivision. As a result of the study, no additional patrolling or monitoring is needed at this time. Councilmember Rich echoed Councilmember Ziegler s comments congratulating the winners of the past election and the Clerk s office. Also, she congratulated Jeff Roberts on his re-appointment to the MMRMA Fire Committee. She encouraged anybody that hasn t participated in an organ donation program to think about checking the box on their driver license. Councilmember Beagle thanked Ms. Salvati for volunteering on the Senior Commission. He congratulated the winners of the election and thanked the Clerk s

5 Wixom City Council Meeting November 12, 2013 Page 5 office for running a smooth election. He also thanked the public for their continued support. Councilmember Reznik congratulated Mayor Hinkley, Councilmember Beagle, and Nick Kennedy on their win. He thanked his supporters. He encouraged everyone to thank those that served in our military throughout the years and to spread the word about Wixom s Holiday Markt. He commended Linda Hinkley and the Parks and Recreation for their hard work on the Holiday Markt. He also thanked Static Controls for their nice display. Councilmember Giddings congratulated everyone on their election win. He referenced the traffic study part of the City Manager s Report and asked Mr. Nowicki if 1,200 cars a day was a lot in a residential area. Mr. Nowicki said he would look into this further with a representative of the TIA and the Police Department. Mayor Hinkley congratulated Nick Kennedy on his election win and noted that he will have some big shoes to fill with the departure of Deputy Mayor Cutright. He thanked Councilmember Beagle and Rzeznik for their support and congratulated them. He is looking forward to a future with the new Council and excited to continue to move the City forward. He said it appears the residents like the direction the City is moving as it was shown through their support of this Council, Nick Kennedy, the school bond and the recent City millage passing. He believes it is also a reflection of the City Manager, City Staff and City Council. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Catherine Buck City Clerk Approved 11/26/2013

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