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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023-02-27 packetNOTICE OF MEETING AND TENTATIVE AGENDA1 iIndividuals should contact the ADA Coordinator at (573) 634-6570 to request accommodations or alternative formats as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please allow 3 business days to process the request. Please call 573-634-6410 with questions regarding this agenda. City of Jefferson Environmental Quality Commission Regular Meeting Monday, February 27, 2023 ~ 1:00 PM City Hall, 320 E. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, Missouri ~ Thomas Jefferson Room TO JOIN VIRTUALLY: https://jeffersoncity.webex.com/jeffersoncity/j.php?MTID=maf8a8d1f5891161630e1085ee03b6e9f CALL-IN PARTICIPATION AVAILABLE AT: 1-404-397-1516 MEETING NUMBER: 2485 899 0088 MEETING PASSWORD: 20230227 TENTATIVE AGENDA 1.Call to Order 2.Approval of Agenda 3.Approval of Minutes from November 30, 2022 4.New Business a.Active Transportation Plan Update b.Residential Composting Cost-Share Program c.Earth Day Event 5.Old Business a.Commission Social Media 6.Other Business a.Neighborhood Services Report b.Commission Composition 7.Public Comment 8.Adjourn November 30, 2022 EQC Meeting Minutes Minutes City of Jefferson Environmental Quality Commission November 30, 2022 Commission Present Attendance Record Staff Present Hannah Frevert 3 of 4 Amy Schroeder, Parks and Recreation Katherine Hagely 4 of 4 Stacy Landwehr, Parks and Recreation Todd Higgins 4 of 4 Todd Spalding, Parks and Recreation Aaron Mealy 4 of 4 Dawn Kirchner, Planning and Protective Services Don Fontana, Public Works Commission Not Present Guests Jeanne Jacobek 2 of 4 Mayor Carrie Tergin Mackenzie Walker 3 of 4 Mike Lester, City Council City Council – Present Scott Spencer 1 of 4 CALL TO ORDER Chair Aaron Mealy called the meeting to order at 1:33 pm. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Aaron entertained a motion to approve the agenda as published. Todd made a motion to approve the agenda. Hannah seconded the motion. The motion passed with all voting in favor. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Aaron entertained a motion to approve meeting minutes from August 24, 2022. Todd made a motion to approve the minutes. Hannah seconded the motion. The motion passed with all voting in favor. NEW BUSINESS Aaron asked commission members and staff for their thoughts on an Environmental Quality Commission social media account. Hannah suggested choosing one social media platform and using meetings to discuss content for future posts. After discussion, Aaron offered to work with Amy to draft social media procedures for commission members to review at the next meeting. OLD BUSINESS Amy introduced Director Spalding and Stacy with Parks, who were in attendance to answer questions regarding the Wears Creek tour that Don led on October 26, 2022. Director Spalding provided a background on the constructed wetlands and creek maintenance efforts in Washington Park. He stated that the parks department will continue to make improvements along Wears Creek in Washington Park, with long-term park improvements including play features, a new bike park, and skate park improvements. The anticipated increase in park users would provide a good educational opportunity for environmental quality issues. Stacy stated she has been in contact with Lincoln University staff to partner on maintenance tasks like prescribed burns and other maintenance. Director Spalding reported that he plans to replace Duensing Field with dedicated pickleball courts next year with the design work going before JC Parks Commission for approval at the December meeting. He suggested that EQC members consider playing a role in the plan as its first project. Todd requested a map of the affected area to review. OTHER BUSINESS Dawn reported that one Ripple bin is being painted and will then be placed in the City Hall parking lot. She is putting in the final application to the Solid Waste Management District to paint the remaining three bins. Todd asked that EQC consider a residential composting system as a cost-share with the City for the next budget year, similar to the rain barrel program in 2018. Amy will provide information at the next meeting. Councilman Lester stated that community members can attend public meetings or register for walk audits as part of the Capital Area Active Transportation Plan community engagement efforts. He also shared that a volunteer group will meet at McClung Park on December 3 to remove bush honeysuckle. ADJOURNMENT With no other business, the meeting adjourned at 2:48 pm. Residential Composting Cost-Share Program 1 of 6 The following information is found online at http://www.abundantearth.com/store/GreenConeDigester.html. The Green Cone Composter Solar Compost Digester is an earth-friendly companion to the traditional backyard composter The Green Cone Composter System is a smart, easy-to-use, efficient household tool, which reduces waste and eliminates most of the problem of food disposal. It's a clean, healthy way to minimize your family's kitchen trash while helping the environment. The Green Cone Composter is primarily constructed from recycled materials, and the digestion basket and inner solar chamber are made from 100% recycled plastic. The Green Cone Composter System is designed to accelerate the natural decomposition process by raising temperatures, maintaining aerobic conditions, and encouraging the growth of micro-organisms. The system processes almost all household food waste, including vegetable scraps, raw and cooked meat or fish, bones, dairy products and other organic food waste such as bread and pasta. So What Exactly is the Green Cone Composter? The Green Cone Composter is comprised of a lower basket installed below the ground, which forms the base for an above ground double-walled solar chamber with an access lid. The Green Cone Composter stands 26 inches above ground level and extends 18 inches below ground level. Access is through an 8- inch diameter hole in the top of the solar chamber, which is sealed by a hinged lid with a security catch. The design of the Green Cone Composter uses solar heating in the double-walled chamber to facilitate and accelerate the aerobic decomposition process within the digestion basket. Therefore, the system should be installed to obtain the maximum sunlight in your backyard. The Green Cone Composter will digest approximately 11 pounds of food waste a week, which is over 25% greater than that produced by the average household. The food waste is converted into water, carbon dioxide and a small amount residue, without the need for mixing or turning the waste. In a well operating system the residue will occupy the bottom 10 inches of the digestion basket after the decomposition of about a ton of food waste. Thus, after about five years this small quantity of residue must be removed and dug into the garden sub-soil. Returning Natural Products to Their Source: While we encourage all of our customers to explore the wealth of benefits of vegetarianism, the Green Cone Composter takes all household food waste, including vegetable scraps, raw and cooked meat or fish, bones, dairy products and other organic kitchen waste (e.g. tea bags, bread, etc.). The patented design of the unit utilizes a solar heating effect between the inner and outer cones to promote air circulation, which facilitates the growth of beneficial micro-organisms and the desirable aerobic digestion process. The household food waste is converted into water, carbon dioxide and a small amount of residue. For a full technical explanation of how the Green Cone Composter works, click here: Green Cone Composter Technical Details 2 of 6 Because over 90% of the waste material in the Green Cone Composter is absorbed safely as water by the soil, the Green Cone Composter only needs to be cleaned once every few years when treated with care. Once The Green Cone Composter is properly installed, it will soon become an invaluable household tool that you'll use every day. Dealing with Household Waste: The Green Cone Composter is an integral part of dealing with your household waste. It eliminates your cooked and uncooked kitchen food waste, including meat, fish, bones, dairy products, vegetables, fruit, peelings, etc.. Virtually the only exceptions are bulk amounts of food related materials that require a very long time to breakdown, namely: cooking oil/fat and the hard shells of nuts and seafood, such as oysters and crabs. Other household waste (i.e. non-kitchen waste) must not be put into the Green Cone Composter, but disposed of in methods approved by local community guidelines. What's Good and Not So Good for the Green Cone Composter? What can go into the Green Cone Composter Fish, Meat & Poultry All Bones Bread Fruit including peelings Vegetables including peelings Dairy produce Cooked food scraps Crushed egg shells Tea bags Animal Waste (Excrement) **see note below What cannot go into the Green Cone Composter Metal Wood Plastic Glass Paper Straw Grass cuttings Hedge clippings Bulk oil Household chemicals 3 of 6 Food waste should be transferred as soon as practical from the kitchen to the Green Cone Composter, which allows food waste to be removed daily. Once deposited in the below ground digestion basket, there is no possibility for unintentional access to the food waste by human activity. As with any gardening activity, particularly those involving soil or compost, gloves should be worn when removing the small amount of residue that accumulates in the digestion basket after several years of operation. Temperatures in the solar chamber of the Green Cone Composter reach up to 122°F for long periods during summer months. Because of these ideal conditions, indigenous microorganisms grow while harmful pathogens die, through competition for nutrients. ** Due to the effectiveness of the Green Cone Composter in controlling decomposition process, and the inaccessibility to animals, birds and humans, the overall health, safety and environmental risk of using the Green Cone Composter is virtually nonexistent. However, we still recommend locating your Green Cone Composter away from any food gardening area if you choose to add animal waste to your Green Cone Composter. Make sure not to include any litter (clay or other). If you are digesting animal waste products, we also recommend locating the Green Cone Composter at least 100' from any well/water source. Maintenance: Your Green Cone Composter needs very little maintenance. However, it is important to ensure that the top of the basket and the bottom lip of the outer Green Cone Composter are below ground level and always fully covered with soil. In a well operating Green Cone Composter, very little waste residue will be produced. Should the residue build up to ground level and not decrease, the cones can be removed to access the basket. The harmless residue can then be buried into any suitable area of the ground. 4 of 6 Installation: Choose a sunny spot in the garden -- the sunnier the better. The Green Cone Composter converts food waste primarily into water and carbon dioxide. The water produced must be able to drain freely away, otherwise the Green Cone Composter will become anaerobic (without oxygen) and will cease to work. It is therefore crucial to install your Green Cone Composter in an area of good drainage. Under no circumstances should the base of the basket be below the water table or where water gathers. If you believe your soil drains well, dig a hole 32" wide and 24" deep. Then pour a bucket of water into the hole. If the water disappears in less than 5 minutes, you have good drainage. If the water remains for more than 15 minutes, you have poor drainage or if you live in an area of heavy clay or chalk where drainage isn't as good, you will need to dig a hole 36" wide and 28" deep. Mix some of the soil from the hole with gravel and/or compost for backfilling later. In areas of heavy clay or chalk, include gravel, small stones, small pieces of broken terracotta pots, or small pieces of broken bricks in the mixture to aid drainage. Place the mixture in the base of the hole so that the base of the basket is 1" below ground level at the base of the hole. Place the assembled Green Cone Composter in the hole. Ensure the top of the black basket and the bottom lip of the green outer cone are below ground level. Backfill the gap around the Green Cone Composter with the mixture until the bottom lip of the Green Cone Composter is fully covered. Your Green Cone Composter is now ready for years of productive use. Be sure to periodically check your soil level, which may drop with heavy rain. To check, make sure that the bottom lip of the green outer cone is fully covered, adding backfill as needed. 5 of 6 Frequently Asked Questions: Is the Green Cone Composter System easy to use? Yes, very. In your kitchen, fill the Green Cone Composter Pail/Collector or other transport bucket with all your organic kitchen waste. When convenient, empty the compost pail/collector into the Green Cone Composter in your garden. Can I use chemical activators as well? No. Chemicals can kill or disrupt the bacteria breaking down the food waste. The only booster/activator that is recommended for use is an all-natural compost booster/accelerator available through many garden product retailers. Where should I install the Green Cone Composter? The ideal location for the Green Cone Composter is a sunny, close-at-hand spot like a flowerbed or vegetable garden (see notes about placement below if you are adding animal waste to your Green Cone Composter). For best results, avoid cold, dark, wet places in the yard. Can my Green Cone Composter stop working? It's easy to have a well-functioning Green Cone Composter. However, some problems may occur if: • The Green Cone Composter is installed in a very dark, shady area. • The surrounding soil isn't well-drained, or if the soil contains heavy clay or chalk. • The black basket is below the water table or in an area where water collects. In these circumstances, the Green Cone Composter's digestion process could turn anaerobic (without oxygen). You can tell that by examining the food waste. If it looks wet and slimy, the Green Cone Composter should be reinstalled. In periods of very cold weather the digestion process may slow down due to lack of natural bacteria. This would be evident by the level of waste in the basket not decreasing. Under these circumstances, the addition of the natural Green Cone Composter Compost Accelerator (a 4 oz. Packet of Green Cone Compost Accelerator and a Shaker Jar are included with your Green Cone purchase) should restore the bacteria population and restart the digestion process. Can I use my Green Cone Composter to dispose of animal excrement? Yes, in moderation. When it is time to empty the Cone, take care to wear gloves and make sure you wash your hands. DIGESTED ANIMAL WASTE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED IN YOUR EDIBLE GARDEN Can I put garden waste in my Green Cone Composter? It is better not to. A traditional compost bin or heap is better at handling garden waste such as grass cuttings. How much food waste can I put in my Green Cone Composter? Provided your Green Cone Composter has been correctly installed, 1-1/2 to 2 pounds (roughly one gallon) of food waste can be placed in your Green Cone Composter every day. This amount is typical of that produced by a family of four. The precise quantity of waste digested by your Green Cone Composter each day will depend upon the ambient temperature, the population of bacteria and the mix of food waste you produce. 6 of 6 Why is there a bar across the top of the Green Cone Composter? The bar across the mouth of the Green Cone Composter provides some rigidity in storage and transit. Its purpose is to prevent small children climbing into the Green Cone Composter. However, turning the twist-lock on the lid and serves the same purpose. The bar may safely be removed (carefully using a hacksaw) to allow large scraps to be put more easily into the Green Cone Composter. However, if you alter (i.e. remove the safety bar) the Green Cone Composter in any way, even if it is brand new and unused, it is not returnable under any circumstances. Will the Green Cone Composter attract flies? The Green Cone Composter is a sealed unit and when properly installed, emits no odors. It does not, therefore, attract flies. However, the eggs of fruit flies are already in the skins of many fruits and can hatch out in the Green Cone Composter. Similarly, if food or food waste is not kept covered prior to going into the Green Cone Composter, its possible for a housefly to lay eggs before the food reaches the Green Cone Composter. These would also produce maggots and flies in the Green Cone Composter. Good housekeeping is therefore important. Some people will freeze food scraps before depositing them into the Green Cone Composter. This may significantly reduce the possibility of flies- -should they occur at all. Will the Green Cone Composter attract critters? If correctly installed, your Green Cone Composter will not attract critters. By ensuring that the top of the black basket and the bottom lip of the green outer cone are below ground level, you will harmlessly filter out any odors into the surrounding soil. It is also important not to spill food near the Green Cone Composter. If you suffer from rats in your yard, you could be unlucky with a rat running across the Green Cone Composter. If you think there is a chance of this happening you should put chicken wire around the black basket to prevent a rat or other critter from gnawing its way through into the waste. Does the Green Cone Composter produce methane? Not really. Because of the amount of oxygen inside your Green Cone Composter, the decomposing food will produce very little methane. Do I have to turn or mix the contents in my Green Cone Composter? No, just put all your food waste into the Cone and forget it. Your Green Cone Composter does all the hard work for you. When and how often should I empty my Green Cone Composter? In a well operating Green Cone Composter, the waste residue will only need to be removed every few years and certainly no more than once a year. It requires emptying when the residue builds up to about 4" below ground level and shows no signs of reducing. Will my Green Cone Composter work all year round? Yes. Your Green Cone Composter works 365 days a year. The level of food waste may rise during winter but should drop down when the weather gets warmer. If decomposition slows during very cold periods, use an all-natural compost activater/accelerator (a 4 oz. Packet of Green Cone Compost Accelerator and a Shaker Jar are included with your Green Cone purchase) to boost microbial activity. Neighborhood Services Report 2023 ScheduleHousehold Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Cole County Residents Only Residential Waste Only Oil-based paints Adhesives/Glues Aerosol Cans Ammonia Antifreeze Bases (Chemicals) Bleach Brake Fluid Capacitors Car Wax/Cleaners Drain Opener Fabric Dyes Fertilizer Flea Collars Furniture Wax/Polish Small Gas Cylinders Gasoline Pesticides & Insecticides Insect Repellants/Poisons Kerosene & Fuel Oils BBQ Sized Propane Tanks Septic Tank Cleaners Handheld Mouse Poisons Windshield Wiper Fluid Fingernail Polish/Removers Wood Preservatives Spa Care Chemicals By Appointment Only Go to www.hhwscheduling.as.me or call 573-634-6410 Lighter Fluid Lubricating Oils Mothballs Motor Oil Organic Solvents Oven Cleaner Tub/Tile Cleaner Varnish Wood Stain Paint Stripper Pet Sprays/Dips Photo Chemicals Propane Cylinders Shoe Polish/Wax Spot Removers Swimming Pool Chemicals Toilet Bowl Cleaner Transmission Fluid Acids CFCs & HCFCs Disinfectants Caulk Commercial Waste Latex Paint Acrylic Paint Fluorescent Light Bulbs Single use batteries NiCAD/NIMH batteries Car/Boat/Tractor batteries Ammunition Asbestos Fireworks Explosives Medical/Bio-Waste Needles Smoke Detectors Tires Yard Waste Infectious or Biological Waste Diabetic Supplies DEA Regulated Substances Radioactive Waste Unknown Substances Appliances Glass Light Bulbs, CFLs Nonacceptable Items Accepted Items www.jeffersoncitymo.gov/HHW March 8, March 22, April 5, April 19, May 10, May 24, September 6, September 20, October 4, October 18 2023 RESIDENTIAL BULKY ITEM SPRING CLEAN-UP EVENT Get rid of your unwanted items for FREE, including the following:  Furniture  Ma ttresses  Televisions  Microwaves  Large items two people can easily pick up  Tied bundles of scrap materials under 4ft. None of the following will be accepted: No household hazardous waste (antifreeze, batteries, oil, paint, etc.) No yard waste, No bags or boxes of debris, No household trash, No loose piles of material of any type, No remodeling material (i.e. sheetrock, etc.) No appliances, No car parts including tires, No lumber or guttering over 4’, No rocks, bricks, concrete. West of Highway 54 Monday, April 17 East of Highway 54 Monday, April 24 Items can be placed on the curb no earlier than the Sunday before your scheduled pick- up date, but no later than 5:00 A.M. on Monday. Trash and Recycling Carts will be picked up on normal collection days. Exclusively for single-family residences, duplexes, triplexes and townhomes with residential cart ser vice through Republic Ser vices and located within the city limits of Jefferson City. www.jef fersoncitymo.gov/bulkyitempickup Commission Composition A. B. C. D. E. Sec. 7-11. - Established. There is hereby established an Environmental Quality Commission. (Code 1977, § 2-201; Code 1983, § 2-427) Sec. 7-12. - Members. Composition. The Commission shall consist of seven voting members with education or experience from various areas, such as education, transportation, technology, public health, faith/spiritual, business, health care, social service, economic development, recreation and urban planning. Of the seven members, the Parks and Recreation Commission shall appoint one staff or Commission member to serve as a voting member. Ex-officio. A non-voting staff member from each of the departments of Parks, Recreation & Forestry and Planning & Protective Services shall serve as ex-officio members to promote coordination among multiple City departments. Residency. At least five members shall be residents of the City of Jefferson; a maximum of two members may reside outside the City. Terms. Members shall be appointed for three-year staggered terms. Vacancies and successors. Any vacancies shall be filled by appointment and approval in like manner for the unexpired portion of the term. All members shall continue to serve until their successors have been appointed and qualified. (Code 1977, §§ 2-203, 2-204; Ord. No. 8975, § 1, 5-16-77; Code 1983, § 2-428; Ord. No. 12210, § 2, 12-19-94; Ord. No. 15543, § 2, 8-1-2016; Ord. No. 16266 , § 1, 8-15-2022) Sec. 7-13. - Meetings. The Commission shall hold a regular business meeting at least once each quarter at such time and place as shall be established by rule of the Commission. The Commission may hold such additional business meetings as it shall, from time to time, deem necessary. Commissioners may attend meetings by electronic means including video conferencing, the Internet, and telephone. Commissioners who electronically attend meetings may participate in discussions and votes as if physically present, provided that such electronic attendance shall conform to the requirement of the Missouri Sunshine Law, RSMo ch. 610. (Code 1977, § 2-202; Code 1983, § 2-429; Ord. No. 15543, § 2, 8-1-2016; Ord. No. 15683, § 2, 7-3-2017) Sec. 7-14. - Ocers. The Commission shall elect, at its first meeting in each fiscal year and from among its resident members, a chairman, a vice chairman and a secretary-treasurer. Such officers shall be eligible to succeed themselves at the will of the Commission. The chairman shall be eligible to vote on all matters before the Commission but shall not be eligible to make motions or second motions. (Code 1977, § 2-205; Code 1983, § 2-430; Ord. No. 15543, § 2, 8-1-2016)