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Board Member Fetterley asked for input on the methods that the other communities used that have <br /> expanded further to curbside organics pickup and the thresholds that those communities used. <br /> Marin stated that she spoke with staff from Columbia Heights and they had about 2,000 households <br /> using the drop-off method before transitioning to curbside. She noted that threshold may be <br /> different for Ramsey, but they would recommend scaling up participation before transitioning to <br /> curbside collection. <br /> Tyler stated the initial goal will be to increase participation in the organics program. <br /> Councilmember LeTourneau asked for more information on what a drop-off site would look like <br /> and the amount of space that it would occupy. He stated that a lot of the organic material from <br /> homes, such as yard waste, has a lot of volume. <br /> City Planner Anderson stated that this organics program is related to food waste and not yard waste <br /> materials. He stated that presumably someone would not come with a trailer full of material to <br /> drop-off. He stated that typically there are a few carts at a drop-off location that have a passcode <br /> to unlock the container. He noted that it is not a large-scale operation that perhaps Councilmember <br /> LeTourneau was envisioning. <br /> Councilmember LeTourneau asked if the yard waste customers in Ramsey could contribute their <br /> household organic material. <br /> City Planner Anderson explained that yard waste collection is specifically through the hauler and <br /> therefore he does not have participation information. He noted that there is a specific hauler used <br /> by Columbia Heights that allows household organics to be combined with yard waste collection. <br /> He stated that there are other opportunities, such as the Blue Bag program. <br /> Councilmember LeTourneau stated that he would be excited to have curbside pickup for organics <br /> and the possibility of combining that collection with curbside yard waste collection. <br /> Board Member Hiatt commented that he remembers the transition from sorted collections to single <br /> sort. He stated that the easier the process is, the more participation there will be in the program. <br /> He stated that,the ACE Solid Waste collections began today,noting that the company stresses that <br /> only yard waste can be placed in the container. He agreed that if there is an opportunity to combine <br /> yard waste and organics curbside collection,that would be a great opportunity for residents. <br /> Board Member Stodola asked the type of materials that can be collected in yard waste. <br /> City Planner Anderson provided details on the yard waste materials that can currently be collected <br /> through curbside pickup. <br /> Chairperson Valentine referenced the curbside opportunity and stated that organic material could <br /> attract predatory animals in the rural areas and asked if security has been a thought. <br /> Marin noted that is a good consideration. <br /> Environmental Policy Board/April 16, 2018 <br /> Page 5 of 7 <br />