Village Board Public Informational Meeting
Solid Waste/Recycling Pickup Costs for Multi-Family Properties

Wednesday, September 10, 2009
6:00 p.m.

Members Present: Dan Schlutter, Richard Bishop, Tom Davies, Joe Radomski, Orv Damrau, Fred La Rosa
Members Excused: Steve Fritz

Others Present: Dan Mahoney, Debbie Sniadajewski

1. Mr. Schlutter called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

2. Mr. Schlutter referred to the previous meeting held in July and stated that the purpose of tonight's meeting is to review
possible options addressing solid waste/recycling pickup at multi-family properties and to gather any additional information from property owners. A decision will not be made tonight, but the Board will act on it at their October 7th meeting.

Mr. Mahoney read his memo, copy attached. He outlined the Village's current budget status of addressing a $185,000 deficit and offered the following solutions: Increase the tax levy, cut services and/or staff, remove garbage and recycling costs from the budget/ tax levy and place as a separate charge on either tax bills or utility bills, discontinue Village payment of multiple family garbage and recycling pickup costs. He explained that removing multi-family garbage and recycling pickup costs is the most viable option and would reduce the deficit by $55,000. Staff is currently looking at their department budgets as well to determine where costs can be reduced.

Ed Bergman, 4240 CTH R, Plover, questioned why the Village just can't add the 22 cents per $1,000 of valuation to the tax levy and go forward from there? Mr. Mahoney stated that they would if the Village Board was willing to increase the tax rate, but they passed budget guidelines in August that call for a zero percent tax increase.

Paul Kliegl, 1562 Okray Ave., Plover, stated that he is a renter at Whitetail Run. He felt that any increase to the property owners will get passed down to the renters. He stated that he understands the calculations, however, other considerations must be made, i.e. they currently have 2 dumpsters for 40 units. Will they have to take their garbage curbside or will they be able to continue using the dumpsters? He stated they need to consider private services already paid for through their rent such as street maintenance and snow removal.

Chris Harris, 2817 Jefferson St., Stevens Point, stated that she is not in favor of increasing taxes, but felt that, even if multi-family pickup is removed from the budget, the Village will still have problems.

Brian Seramur, 1551 Devonshire, Plover, questioned what other cuts were being made to the budget. Mr. Mahoney stated that staff is still in the process of cutting and is looking at reserve funds, equipment, etc.

Mr. Bergman referred to the second to last paragraph of Mr. Mahoney's memo and questioned the $5 per unit fee for multi-family pickup. Mr. Mahoney explained that they asked Veolia to provide a cost for multi-family pickup so they would know what the impact would be. He stated that the property owners would still have the ability to contract out with another hauler to see if they could arrange a better deal. He recognized smaller apartment complexes having a concentrated area and that may be something for the hauler to take into consideration. Mention was made of the $25 per month dumpster rental. Mr. Bergman questioned how the $5 per unit compares to what they're paying now. Mr. Mahoney stated that they would be getting the same rate as what Veolia is charging the Village now. Mr. Mahoney discussed taking garbage/recycling collection completely out of the tax levy and the difficulty of comparing costs fairly because the garbage/recycling collection levy would no longer be spread among every parcel.

Mr. Kliegl clarified that multi-family owners would be paying the $5 per unit charge in addition to that portion of the garbage/refuse collection costs for singe family/duplex that is left on the levy and felt that it was discriminatory.

Frank Lasecke, 1044 Martin Island Dr., Stevens Point, questioned a 4-unit owner's cost decreasing from $25 per month to $5 per unit. Mr. Mahoney stated that the $25 per month is the dumpster charge.

Mr. Bergman thought that there had always been pickup at multi-family units. Mr. Mahoney stated that prior to 1998, multi-family complexes over 4 units were not covered by the contract.

Mr. Lasecke questioned if they will have the opportunity to comment at the Village Board meeting next week. Mr. Schlutter stated that they would like any comments before next week's meeting.

Mr. Lasecke questioned if the taxes stated in the July meeting minutes were just the Village's portion. Ms. Sniadajewski stated that they were.

Darrel Unsinn, Commenwealth Development, stated that he is resigned to the fact that they will have to absorb the cost of refuse pickup and have budgeted for such. He expressed his discontent that the Village doesn't want to raise taxes, but yet multi-family properties are being singled out to cover the shortage.

Mr. Bergman questioned if 'a no tax increase' was realistic. The Village will still have a deficit without the multi-family refuse collection costs.

Mr. Bishop discussed, as a renter and not a board member, assuming responsibility and fairness.

Mr. Bergman felt that there would be inequities no matter what solution is chosen. He discussed the value of homes and the correlation to the cost of pickup being more for a higher valued home than a lower valued home but still receiving the same service.

Mr. Kliegl referenced the concept of economies of scale and felt that servicing a group of people is cheaper than one resident.

Mr. Seramur reiterated the point of paying property taxes and then paying for the same services as a separate charge.

Mr. Lasecke mentioned the cost of pickup from Veolia for 2010 but questioned 2011. He stated that, if they add to the costs each year, it will reduce the profit margin for the property owner.

Mr. Mahoney stated that, if anyone has any new thoughts after tonight's meeting, they should contact him.

Mr. Bergman felt that multi-family property owners will not realize the rates the Village of Plover receives whether they negotiate individually or even collectively.

Mr. Schlutter stated that the Village will help get the best contract for multi-family owners if they can.

Mr. Bergman stated that he would like to see the Village negotiate the best rate for multi-family property owners and pass it on to them through their taxes or whichever is the simplest form of billing.

Mr. Schlutter stated that they will take that into consideration.

Mr. Unsinn mentioned the rates being set for 2010, but from his experience of owning multi-family properties throughout the state, if there is not enough volume provided to the carrier, they won't get the same rates and some property owners will suffer.

Ms. Harris questioned if eliminating multi-family units from pickup will damage the Village of Plover's bargaining power with Veolia.

Mr. Mahoney did not think eliminating multi-family would hurt the Village's negotiating power. He stated that the Village currently has a good working relationship with Veolia and feels they have the ability to work with them for multi-family property owners if the Village Board allows staff to do so.

3. Mr. Davies moved to adjourn at 6:50 p.m. Mr. Bishop seconded and the motion carried.

_______________________________
Karen Swanson, Village Clerk