03/27/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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\. Councilman Wood stated that he still supported deferment of the assess- ment against Real Estate Developers' property. G rspri~gpruni~g ~ickup program'- c~uncil m~mb~rs -previ-;u~l-y' rec~ived c;p~es-~-;-~~ l from Public Works Department analyzing dispoal problem for tree and brush trimmings._ Several communications have been received from citizens requesting reconsideration of the backyard burning .aan to permi t burning for a short period to dispose of the trash accumulation resulting from the past winter's freeze. Staff estimates a cost of $9300 for a. one-time pickup during spring vacation, but doubts a thorough cleanup can be accomplished on that basis. Trash pickup on a permanent basis is-not recom- mended unless it is budgeted as a needed service. Councilman McDonald suggested allowing backyard burning during the balance of March and April. He could see no difference between that type of burning and the use of : fireplaces for burning trash. ! Councilman Hers.hner asked why the ban was placed on backyard burning. Mrs. Beal answered that the chief reason was the City's feeling that if it was going to insist that a ban be placed on field burning, the ci ty would have to prohibi t trash burning within its own limits. She added that the action was taken over the opposition of the Fire Department; they felt accumulations of debris would result thereby causing fire hazards. Mayor Anderson thought relaxing the burning prohibi tion would be a :.1 poor political move by the City. - In view of economic hardships placed on the grass - seed industry by the burning regulation to take effect in 1975, allowing backyard burning in Eugene would encourage seed growers to ask for an extension of time. 1 Mr. Murray moved seconded by Mr. Keiler that a spring pruning pickup p~ogram on a j one-time-only basis_be allowed the week of March 26, 1973. I Mr. Murray recognized the difficulties which would be faced but felt it in the best interests of the pUblic because of the unusual freeze and special problems it caused. '11 He did not advocate allowing any period of burni'ng., but he felt leaving the trash --.... , . with the idea that property owners themselves would take care of disposal would . create unsightly accumulations. e. There was concern about adequacy of a program extending for only. one week and at this particular time of year. Mr. Murry restated the motion with Mr. Keller's second that a spring pruning pickup program start the week of March 26 and .not be confined to the one week. #0 Assistant Manager said that based on the leak pickup prograrnthe minimum period of time to accomplish the work would be three w$elts, during which time the entire maintenanpe staff pl us extra help would be - irlnoring normal maintenance 'Schedules. . '. - ---- Councilman Hershner asked if the South WillarnetfEf' '!ump would .geopened for a dis- posal site, whether statistics were available on volume and charges for use of the si te. Publi c Works Director answered that the County favors opening the South Willarnette si te for disposal to save space in the Day Island landfill. However, there seems to be no agreement on the best time for a cleanup program; some feel March is too early to gather an appreciable: amount of discarded trimmings and shrubs. He commented on the major problem anticipated this summer in street repair because I . of the freeze damage now becoming apparent. One possibility under consideration by . \-. the County is making available a disposal site in the Delta/Belt Line area. General discussion followed on permitting backyard burning for a limited time, -suggestion of asking publi c to help neighbors to remove trimmings, cost of leaf pickup program, possibility of any pickup program's continuing for, an extended period or time, etc. Mrs. Beal favored encouraging garbage collection companies to work out a program for pi ckups at reasonable charges. Whitney Scobert, 440 Blair Boulevard, suggested making a site available to which people could haul trash. Then under very restrictive conditions the City cduld issue permits I for burning the trash at that location~at scheduled times. . --~~._-,".~~----------;.,-- . ,.-'-'-.- Vern Adkison, director of Regional Air Pollution Authority, strongly opposed relaxing the burning ban, saying that action would onl,y'transrex'c .tlie problem froms.oli,d;;.waste to air pollution. He said a plan to open a disposal site in~the-~Delta' Highway area I is under consideration and, given time, a reasonable solution can be worked out. . Councilman Hershner wondered if the money it is estimated a pickup program will cost I could be used to subsidize an arrangement wi th the garbage haulers allowing them to pick up .trash at lower rates. Public. Works Director answered that the money estimated is not available :in the budget', it would still have to be appropriated. In answer to Mayor Anderson's question whether it would be possible to .work out s'uch a program, ee 3/27/73 -8