HomeMy Public PortalAbout09.20.2022 Work Session Packet Posted 5/29/2009 Page 1 of 1
WORK SESSION AGENDA
MEDINA CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
6:30 P.M.
Medina City Hall
2052 County Road 24
I. Call to Order
II. Tour of Wolsfeld Cabin
III. Medina Brush and Compost Site Update
IV. Adjourn
Posted 9.16.2022
1
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Steve Scherer, Public Works Director
DATE: September 14, 2022
MEETING: September 20, 2022
SUBJECT: Medina Brush and Compost Site Update
The brush and compost site was established in the early 1980’s and has been a huge
benefit to Medina residents since that time. The site provides a place for Medina
residents to dispose of trees, brush, and compost which also keeps storm drains clean and
reduces phosphorus in our lakes and streams.
The city has gone through several different approaches to keep up with the quantity of
debris coming into the site. In the beginning we burned the pile but as the population
grew and the burnings became more frequent the smoke became a nuisance to the
neighboring residents.
Later (in the late 1990s) we began to hire a company to chip the brush and chips were
offered to Medina residents. Eventually the chips became a commodity to the burn plants
creating energy while being subsidized by the government and our problem was solved.
The uptick in solar energy has power companies, along with the subsidies, moving to
solar instead of burning wood. So, like 15 years ago, we find ourselves paying to chip
and dispose of the brush pile and compost.
The intent of this memo is to inform Council of the costs. With Ash Borer and Dutch
Elm Disease on our doorstep, I believe disposing of this debris will become a regional
problem that will eventually come back to the county and state for assistance.
If Council agrees, I would like to encourage residents on rural lots to obtain a burn permit
to burn brush and trees on site to reduce the amount of debris brought to the City site. A
means to accomplish this is an article in the next newsletter and on the City website.
Brush Grinding and Removal Cost History
2019 - $15,068
2020 - $17,266
2021 - $15,360
2022 - $27,494
MEMORANDUM
WS Agenda Item III