Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Councilmember Dehen stated that when people buy this, do they generally specify what <br />percentage they want and do places even have it. <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated that he called around and asked these questions. <br />The way to go is organic and clay. In looking for loam, he inquired of the nurseries if <br />they had something like this available - they said no. When asked if they could create it <br />- they said yes. With regard to the cost - Mr. Himmer did not get an answer to that. <br />Most people just ask for topsoil. It would cost about $20 a yard - you can get it from <br />farms for $6 or so - a higher blend is about $35 a yard. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen inquired what is staff s recommendation on how we can show <br />leadership - good topsoil but not going overboard. Is there some compromise to get <br />everyone on board. <br /> <br />Mr. Himmer stated that in looking at Blaine and Andover's Codes, they gave ambiguous <br />definitions of what topsoil is and they do not have specifications. He felt that this <br />ordinance would give the City a quantifying start. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that we admit we are not soil experts; however, an expert is <br />saying 60 to 80% and we are coming up with 5 to 15%. He added that Councilmember <br />McGlone had recommended a place and soil to him where the cost was very low. <br /> <br />Councilmember McGlone stated it was the County NRG. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that we have a water conservation problem in the City. If <br />we put together a topsoil - say 30% - it is a compromise. Businesses will get creative <br />and find ways to do this. He stated he did not know if 5% or even 80% is the answer _ <br />that might be cost prohibitive. If we do not have topsoil requirements now, this is better <br />than what we have, providing we can implement it. He suggested "testing the waters". <br /> <br />Mr. Himmer stated staff previously brought forward 40% and were told we were out of <br />the ballpark. The Public Works Committee recommended advancing it to the <br />Environmental Policy Board and they gave the same opinion. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that he appreciates advisory boards but if Council decides <br />40%, it will be 40%. <br /> <br />Councilmember McGlone stated that NRG will sell to the public. The cost for non- <br />screened dirt it is about $8 a yard; screened would be about $12 a yard. There is still the <br />cost of trucking but you would have some serious organic content. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that Mr. Enstrom says that compost does not screen well, <br />that it removes the organics. <br /> <br />Mayor Ramsey stated we are just talking about introducing this ordinance and suggested <br />changes could be made later. <br /> <br />City Council/January 13,2009 <br />Page 25 of31 <br />