Solid waste study a work in progress

Shawnee city staff continues to study a solid waste program and a preliminary analysis will not be presented to the City Council until September.

City Manager Carol Gonzales wants to squash rumors that a plan will be implemented any sooner.

"There is some confusion by some of our residents that a decision has already been made about this," Gonzales said. "I want our residents to know that the City Council has taken no formal action other than to ask staff to research options presented by the task force further."

Gonzales said she believes the minutes from a council meeting in April, which are available online, were distributed by various people via e-mail. At the meeting, the council directed staff to look into forming a solid waste utility, but that was one of several recommendations from the city's recycling task force.

"People thought it was already decided and moving forward. ... They did not have the full context and didn't realize there's more to the process," Gonzales said. "I'm disturbed some citizens would think we're trying to sneak something through, because we're so conscientious about public input. That's one of the mayor's highest priorities. We would absolutely not make a decision of that magnitude without plenty of opportunity for public input."

The task force, appointed by Mayor Jeff Meyers, originally formed as a result of the impending price increase for curbside recycling, but the scope expanded to include trash collection, recycling and yard waste.

The group recommended the city explore the concept of providing trash, recycling and yard waste pick up through a citywide contract. Instead of residents paying an individual hauler, the cost could be included on property tax bills and the city would pay the hauler.

If that method does not prove to be significantly less expensive, desirable or feasible, the task force offered other recommendations regarding requirements for haulers. A complete copy of the task force report is available on the city's Web site, www.cityofshawnee.org.

Gonzales said she expects staff to complete an analysis based on the task force recommendation, including alternatives and pros and cons, and present it to the council at a Finance and Administration Committee meeting Tuesday, Sept. 8. The study and packet information will be available online the week before the meeting.

"That's our goal. We haven't done much of the research yet," Gonzales said.

Research will include data from surrounding communities and similar communities across the country that have implemented solid waste utilities.

"We'll find out what their experience has been and other models that exist that accomplish similar purposes, like Lenexa or Overland Park," Gonzales said. "We'll look at all the different ways of approaching it and hone in on two or three options that make the most sense to us."

Following the September meeting, staff is expected to ask the council to delay voting on the issue for at least 30 days in order to obtain public comment on recommendations.

"It's a complex issue and it impacts every resident in Shawnee," Gonzales said. "We want to make sure we have ample time for them to hear about it and comment about it if they'd like. ... We're toying with the idea of using polling or survey tools on the Web site, or we may just provide a direct link to Vicki's or the council members' e-mail addresses. We'll try to make it as accessible as possible."

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