Minutes - Board - 2003-08-22r
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COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT
MINUTES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETING
AUGUST 22, 2003
The Board of Directors of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District attended a duly noticed
Special Meeting on August 22, 2003 at 11:30 p.m., in Conference Room 1A at the Civic
Center, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.
Directors Present: Arlene Schafer, Greg Woodside, Arthur Perry James Ferryman,
Dan Worthington
Staff Present: Robin Hamers, Manager /Engineer; Tom Fauth, Assistant
Manager; Joan Revak, Clerk of the District; Alan Burns, Legal
Counsel; Marc Puckett, District Treasurer; Bobby Young,
Accountant
• I. Standardized Trash Container Program
Mr. Hamers gave a presentation of the state of the standardized trash container
program and the grievance letter filed by the Costa Mesa Disposal (CMD) drivers with
the Union. Mr. Hamers reviewed the following documents:
1. Grievance letter from CMD drivers to Union dated July 1, 2003
2. Driver injury records, 1997 -2003
3. Letter from Raul Rangel dated July 31, 2003
4. Memorandum from Robin B. Hamers to Board dated August 4, 2003
5. Memorandum from Joan Revak to File dated August 5, 2003
6. Letter from Ray Rangel dated August 7, 2003 Revised
7. Green colored Trash Collection Regulations card
8. Page 13 of CMD /District Agreement
9. Letter from resident dated August 12, 2003
The drivers claim the standardized containers cause worker injuries which conflicts with
the Roto Industries testing documents that were included in the purchase agreement
between the District and Roto. Mr. Hamers explained the Costa Mesa Disposal driver
request for a fully automated trash collection program in order to avoid injuries and
speed up collection. Mr. Hamers reviewed the CMD foreman's comments at the
meeting of the drivers and union attended by Rob Hamers, Tom Fauth,and Joan
Revak, that the drivers were in too much of a hurry and were not following the proper
•, safety procedures when using the semi automated containers. Mr. Hamers explained
that under the old manual program, each driver was individually responsible for lifting
Ttotecting our community s health by providing solid waste and sewer collection services.
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Costa Mesa Sanitary District Page 2
Minutes of Special Meeting Held August 22, 2003
• 7.1 million pounds of trash per year but in the new program the semi automated
containers have wheels and can be rolled.
The Board requested Staff decline any future offers to attend meetings at CMD that
include the drivers, the union, and CMD management. Meetings such as those are
internal to CMD.
Mr. Hamers also reviewed the request dated August 7, 2003 Revised for modification of
the green trash collection regulations card submitted by Ray Rangel. Mr. Hamers
explained the new sidebars on the trucks that prevent trash from falling out of the
trucks. The height of the bar requires the drivers to lift the bags a slight distance higher
than before. After discussion, the Board directed Staff to modify regulations number
two and five to read as follows:
2. All trash belongs inside the container with the lid closed, however,
an occasional heavy -duty garbage bag not weighing more than 25 Ibs left next to
the containers is permissible. Boxes need to be folded down and tied, and weigh
no more than 25 Ibs per bundle. If you continually have excess trash, please call
(949) 646 -4617 to request an additional container. Never use a non - standardized
container for excess trash, use only heavy -duty trash bags.
• 5. Tree trimmings, shrubs, etc., shall be trimmed to fit inside the
container. Bundles left outside the container will not be collected.
Discussion ensued having residents place their standardized containers in the street
prior to collection. The Sanitary District has an existing ordinance that prohibits this
practice. Before the District can consider revising the ordinance, District Staff must
confirm with the City of Costa Mesa that the practice of leaving containers out for pick
up in the street area is acceptable. The Board directed Staff to continue discussing this
item with the City.
The Board acknowledged that a fully automated collection system is desirable and is a
goal of the District, however, research into the many factors affecting such a program is
necessary. The Board directed Staff to research this subject.
Mr. Hamers brought forth the letter from Raul Rangel dated January 6, 2003 that details
financial problems of the company and the request for a special increase. Mr. Hamers
also reviewed the events leading up the damage of the lifting bars on the 45,000
standardized containers and what management controls by CMD and Roto could have
prevented the problem.
The Board of Directors requested the following issues be discussed during a
performance evaluation of Costa Mesa Disposal:
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Protecting our community's Health 6y Ping soCul waste andsewer collection services.
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Costa Mesa Sanitary District Page 3
Minutes of Special Meeting Held August 22, 2003
• • Letter from Raul Rangel dated January 6, 2003, outlining the financial problems
facing Costa Mesa Disposal.
• Driver attitude in light of not having a fully automated system and its effect on
driver /resident relations and trash collection service.
• Coordination between Roto Industries and Costa Mesa Disposal for the four -
year container management program offered by Roto and accepted by the
District.
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• The management steps that could have been taken to prevent almost all 45,000
lifting bars from being damaged.
Closed Session
The Board of Directors adjourned to a closed session at 1:15 p.m. pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.9 to discuss Anticipated Litigation (1 case). At 2:00
p.m., the Board reconvened to open session and President Schafer announced no
action was taken in closed session.
III. Public Comments
There were no members of the public present and no public comments made.
Secretary
Protecting ourcommunity s 6eaftFi by providing s4d waste and sewer coffection services.
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