Environment and Recycling — Charleston, WV
Date: 2020-11-18
Time: 17:30

CITY OF CHARLESTON
 WEST VIRGINIA

 Council Member – AT­LARGE

John Kennedy Bailey Environment and Recycling Committee, Chair
PO Box 2505 Ordinance and Rules Committee
Charleston, WV 25329
Telephone: 304‐346‐5646
jkbailey@jkbailey.com



TO: Environment and Recycling Committee
FROM: John Kennedy Bailey, Chair
RE: Committee Meeting

A meeting of the Council Committee on Environment and Recycling will be held on Wednesday,
 November 18, 2020. The meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 PM.
 UNTIL FURTER NOTICE, MEETINGS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA ZOOM

*Join via internet:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81202949294?pwd=NUdoZEdpUThpcEN5eVQva2xWYy9Edz09
Passcode: 741053
*Join via Telephone: (312) 626‐6799 or (929) 436‐2866
Webinar ID: 812 0294 9294
 Agenda

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

 1. 8‐4‐2020

UPDATE ON RECYCLING STUDY

UPDATE ON APPOINTMENTS TO GREEN TEAM

DISCUSSION OF EXISTING COMPOSTING PROGRAM

FOLLOW UP WITH CITY ATTORNEY ON CITATIONS FOR VIOLATIONS OF GARBAGE RELATED
ORDINANCES




JKB/jb

CITY OF CHARLESTON
 WEST VIRGINIA

 Council Member – AT­LARGE

John Kennedy Bailey Environment and Recycling Committee, Chair
PO Box 2505 Ordinance and Rules Committee
Charleston, WV 25329
Telephone: 304‐346‐5646
jkbailey@jkbailey.com



TO: Environment and Recycling Committee
FROM: John Kennedy Bailey, Chair
RE: Committee Meeting

A meeting of the Council Committee on Environment and Recycling will be held on Wednesday,
 November 18, 2020. The meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 PM.
 UNTIL FURTER NOTICE, MEETINGS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA ZOOM

*Join via internet:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81202949294?pwd=NUdoZEdpUThpcEN5eVQva2xWYy9Edz09
Passcode: 741053
*Join via Telephone: (312) 626‐6799 or (929) 436‐2866
Webinar ID: 812 0294 9294
 Agenda

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

 1. 8‐4‐2020

UPDATE ON RECYCLING STUDY

UPDATE ON APPOINTMENTS TO GREEN TEAM

DISCUSSION OF EXISTING COMPOSTING PROGRAM

FOLLOW UP WITH CITY ATTORNEY ON CITATIONS FOR VIOLATIONS OF GARBAGE RELATED
ORDINANCES




JKB/jb



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 MINUTES
 ENVIRONMENT & RECYCLING COMMITTEE MEETING
 AUGUST 4, 2020 – 2:00 PM- VIA REMOTE


Committee Members Present: John Kennedy Bailey, Chair – Ben Adams – Naomi Bays
 Will Laird

Others Present: Mayor Goodwin – Kevin Baker- Brent Webster-Jared Lanham –Jane Bostic
Mackenzie Spencer – Emmett Pepper


John Kennedy Bailey, Chairman called the meeting to order. The first agenda item was a
discussion on the status of the Recycling Program/ Relationship with Raleigh County.

The Chairman began the stating that the Raleigh Co. facility had ceased operation since March of
this year due to Covid-19 and reopening at this time is unknown. Additionally, if or when it
reopens there may be a per-ton fee charged to the City and any other municipalities who
previously used the facility at no cost for recycling. Brent Webster explained that according to
the partners associated with Raleigh Co. the Solid Waste Authority continues to lose money and
there would be considerable cost to the City to continue participation with the facility there.
Brent Webster and Jared Lanham provided the Committee some tonnage and dollar amounts
related to the City’s possible cost, which is considerable.

Mayor Goodwin expressed some citizen concern over confusion about the Recycling trucks in
the neighborhood when the City in fact is currently not recycling. Jared Lanham explained that
he and others in the department has tried to remove “recycling” from the trucks as best they
could. Additionally, the reason they continue to run those trucks is to avoid the additional
volume placed on the refuse trucks which would create longer wait time at the dump as well as
the delaying the area pickup time. He stated that they try to make it clear to the residents that
recycling is currently going to the landfill and not being recycled.

Next Agenda item is the Consultant Contract approved by City Council. The Chairman deferred
to Jane Bostic who advised that the contract was awarded to MSW Consulting. They are tasked
with reviewing every aspect of the city’s recycling program as well as what other cities with
similar demographics may be doing. It will be a comprehensive well-rounded study. She
anticipates that it should be completed by the end of October.

Next Agenda item is the discussion of a Resolution (#369-20) creating a “Green Team”.
The Chairman explained that essentially it would be a group of volunteer citizens working with
the City to advance our recycling goals. He then deferred to Emmett Pepper, who stated that he
felt it would be useful in engaging the public in having an opportunity to look at sustainability
goals and opportunity for any money savings by saving energy. He stated that city of
Morgantown and maybe a couple other cities have taken this step and hopes the City of
Charleston can put some form of a “team” together to collaborate with administration.




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The Chairman said that he looks forward to working with the City Attorney as to the proper
language for the Resolution to present at the next E&R Committee meeting. The Chairman then
asked for any other comments, questions, or concerns Will Laird asked whether we had
comparison costs with other cities such as So. Charleston. Jared Lanham provided the monthly
tonnage and other costs to the City per month versus So. Charleston and Beckley and explained
that based all costs involved the City of Charleston cost is almost triple the amount of both. Will
Laird also asked if there was a way to determine the carbon footprint and current composting in
the city. The Chairman explained that the previous Composting facility is currently not
operational and currently the citizens yard waste is going to the landfill. Jane Bostic added that
these were issues that could be addressed by the Consultants.

Ben Adams expressed some concern about some of the language in the Green Team Resolution
And suggested that perhaps a “working group” would be a less complex approach.
The Chairman said that the Resolution is yet to be finalized and would welcome any suggestions
or recommendations from this Committee as well as the City Attorney.

Naomi Bays asked for some clarity as to whether the City of So. Charleston is still recycling
Brent Webster responded that at last check they were basically in the same position as the City
of Charleston in having to take it to the Landfill as well. Naomi Bays also asked if there were
and guidelines as it relates to the “environmental” aspect of the E&R Committee. The Chairman
said that currently the recycling aspect has been the main focus but is hopeful that in the future
there can be more focus on issues and concerns as it relates to the environmental impact and
would, at some point like have some conversations about the issue and welcomes any and all
thoughts and suggestions regarding putting greater emphasis on that aspect.


There being no further comments or concerns, the Chairman entertained a motion to adjourn.
Naomi Bays made the motion to adjourn. Will Laird seconded. Meeting was adjourned.




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MINUTES
 ENVIRONMENT & RECYCLING COMMITTEE MEETING
 NOVEMBER 18, 2020 – 5:30 PM- VIA REMOTE


Committee Members Present: John Kennedy Bailey, Chair – Bruce King, Vice Chair
 Bobby Haas- Naomi Bays -Caitlin Cook -Ben Adams

Others Present: Kevin Baker- Brent Webster- Jared Lanham –Jane Bostic
 Mackenzie Spencer


John Kennedy Bailey, Chairman called the meeting to order. He entertained a motion to
dispense with the reading of and approval of October 7,2020 meeting minutes. Naomi Bays
made motion-Bobby Haas seconded. Minutes approved as written.

The First agenda Item: Update on Recycling Study. The Chairman stated he had intended to
reach out to the consultants for an update but was not able to do so. Jane Bostic informed the
committee that she had attempted to reach them today but had not received a response.
She did advise that the consultants had finished compiling their data and meetings and are in the
process of compiling their report. Additionally, she stated that she was hopeful that there would
be something from them by the first week of December and is waiting for them to reach out in
order to set a meeting date with the E&R committee. The Chairman stated he would like to have
communication with the consultants before the report is finalized. The members of the
committee agreed. He suggested perhaps via a conference call. Jane Bostic stated she would
check with the consultants to see what could be coordinated with the committee members.

Next agenda item: Update on Appointments to Green Team. The Chairman began by stating he
had been contacted by a couple community members interested in serving on the Green Team.
Kevin Baker stated he had about 5 or 6 people who had reached out to various departments. He
also stated that one of resolution requirements was there be representatives from different
wards/areas of the city and that he had not received any suggestions from the Kan City/West
Side flats or nearby South Hills area, but had reached out to the Council persons for those areas
for any recommendations. Naomi Bays asked if there has been any public promotion asking for
volunteers. Kevin Baker stated he was aware of a press release as well as some social media
posts. Naomi Bays suggested perhaps another public outreach be made. Caitlin Cook asked if in
addition to the ward Councilperson, if the at-large members can help with outreach. All agreed
was a great idea. Kevin Baker reiterated that the Resolution calls for the Mayor to appoint the
Green Team members, with the advise and consent of City Council so he would need to get the
final list of volunteers to her for final approval and would definitely value the input of the E&R
Committee.

Next Agenda Item: Discussion of Existing Composting Program: The Chairman explained that
he had plans to visit the facility and had not yet. He stated that he would like to set up a
date/time for any of the interested committee members to visit the facility. He asked if anyone
could provide any update on the compost program and/or facility. Jared Lanham stated that to
his knowledge the biggest challenges at the facility were broken and/or outdated equipment and
space. Brent Webster reiterated that fact and there were serious infrastructure issues. He added
that they were composting a great amount of leaves and chips but needed to get more of it out to
the public to help with the space issue. He added that the City does advertise that it is available
and free to anyone interested in picking it up. There was some discussion of ways to potentially
get more of the material out. Naomi Bays suggested the possibility of delivery to areas of the city
i.e. Capitol Market. She also suggested the possibility of working with the City Collector office
to include notice of availability to garden and landscape businesses included in their B&O tax
statements. Naomi also stated that she hoped that the consultants report includes composting as
part of their comprehensive plan. The Chairman asked if anyone present knew the regulations
and requirements for the city to possibly operate its own Monofil. Kevin Baker responded that
he had not details at this time but could look into it.

Next Agenda Item: Follow up W/City Attorney on Citations for Violations of Garbage Related
Ordinances. Kevin Baker stated that is office has been working on drafting a Bill that would
basically treat trash violations similar to parking violations, i.e. tickets with the ability to
challenge and/or ability to pay included. He stated that would need to be a period of public
education, public notices, and warnings. Additionally, there is a logistic and cost analysis that
would need to be considered. There were several members concerns and comments regarding
garbage issues in their wards, particularly as it related to landlords and evictions. The Chairman
asked what the next steps were. Kevin Baker stated that he needs to review the bill that is being
drafted and maybe meet with Brent Webster and Jared Lanham to determine the practicality of
incorporating some of the garbage and landlord eviction issues into the bill. The Chairman stated
after the draft bill is complete, he would like for this committee to review it prior to being
introduced for discussion purposes if possible, for the next E&R meeting. Bruce King asked
about the status of the requiring businesses to have a can or dumpster. Kevin Baker said that he
believes the City collector office was coordinating with the Refuse collection to try and figure
out who was receiving services without paying. He stated that he believed that there should not
be a problem with also including and addressing that issue in the current Bill being drafted.

Caitlin Cook expressed that she believes there is a difference between someone maybe putting
out trash early vs. a landlord eviction with huge piles of garbage, furniture etc. and something
that should be taken into consideration as the bill is being drafted and the city’s response to each.

After some discussion it was decided that the next E&R Meeting would be on Wednesday,
December 9, 2020, 5:30PM (via zoom).

There being no further concerns, questions or comments, the Chairman entertained a motion to
adjourn. Naomi Bays made the motion. Caitlin Cook seconded. Meeting was adjourned