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>> WE'RE GOING TO GET STARTED.
[1. CALL TO ORDER NOTICE OF OPTION TO RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02, notice is hereby given to the members of the City Council and to the general public that, at this regular meeting, the City Council may vote to go into executive session, which will not be open to the public, for legal advice and discussion with the City’s attorneys for legal advice on any item listed on the following agenda, pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3).]
WELCOME TO A COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 3RD, 2023.I AM CALLING THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT AT THIS REGULAR MEETING THE CITY COUNCIL MAY VOTE TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION WHICH WILL NOT BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR LEGAL ADVICE AND DISCUSSION WITH THE CITY'S ATTORNEYS ON THE FOLLOWING AGENDA. CAN WE HAVE ROLL-CALL?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MATTHEWS, WOULD YOU LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE?
>> PLEASE STAND IF YOU'RE ABLE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HARRIS, WOULD YOU READ OUR MISSION STATEMENT?
>> YES. THE MISSION OF THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF IS TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SWEET, OUR LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
>> THANK YOU MAYOR. THE FLAGSTAFF CITY COUNCIL HUMBLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE ANCESTRAL HOMELANDS OF THIS AREA'S INDIGENOUS NATIONS AND ORIGINAL STEWARDS.
THESE LANDS STILL INHABITED BY NATIVE DESCENDANTS BORDER MOUNTAIN SACRED TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.
WE HONOR THEM, THEIR LEGACIES, THEIR TRADITIONS, AND THEIR CONTINUED CONTRIBUTIONS.
WE CELEBRATE THEIR PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE GENERATIONS WHO WILL FOREVER KNOW THIS PLACE AS HOME.
>> THANK YOU. MOVING DOWN TO ITEM NUMBER 4,
[4. Consideration and Approval: Termination of Lease, Construction and Service Agreement between City of Flagstaff and Norton Environmental, Inc. STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION: Consideration and approval of the Termination of Lease, Construction and Service Agreement between City of Flagstaff and Norton Environmental, Inc. ]
STAFF, IF YOU WOULD TAKE IT AWAY.>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
SCOTT OVERTON, I SERVE AS YOUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
WE APPRECIATE YOU MEETING IN SPECIAL SESSION TODAY.
WE KNOW IT'S A FAIRLY UNUSUAL TIME TO MEET AS WE WERE HOPING TO EVEN SEE YOU LAST EVENING WE KNEW WITH YOUR FULL AGENDA THIS WAS GOING TO BE OUR FIRST OPPORTUNITY.
THIS EVENING WE BRING TO YOU A REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION TO TERMINATE A LEASE CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICE AGREEMENT.
THIS IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF AND NORTON ENVIRONMENTAL.
I WILL PROVIDE A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE REQUEST THIS EVENING SO THE PUBLIC ONE GETS AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE MAKING THIS REQUEST AND THEN WE'LL OF COURSE BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR CONCERNS.
IN ADDITION, TOWARDS THE END OF MY PRESENTATION I'LL HAVE OUR SOLID WASTE SECTION DIRECTOR OF MATERIAL COME TO THE PODIUM TO SPEAK ABOUT SOME NEXT STEPS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS AND THEN SARAH LANGLEY, OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION DIRECTOR IS ONLINE WITH SOME INFORMATION ABOUT HOW IT WILL BE COMMUNICATED TO OUR GENERAL PUBLIC.
IF YOU WOULD BEAR IN MIND, I'D LIKE TO PROVIDE YOU A VERY BRIEF EXPLANATION AND SOME HISTORY AND CONTEXT AS WE ENTER THIS AGREEMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE NORTON FACILITY IS OUR RECYCLE CENTER THAT IS OPERATED BY NORTON ENVIRONMENTAL AT 1800 BUTLER AVENUE.
THIS COMPANY HAS OPERATED OUR COMMUNITY'S RECYCLING PROGRAM AND ITS COLLECTION SORTING PROCESSING SINCE 1996.
THIS 25-YEAR AGREEMENT WAS SUBJECT TO ITS CONCLUSION.
THIS IS SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 AND DUE TO SOME RECENT EVENTS WE HAVE ACCELERATED THAT TIMELINE AND IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS WE HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE NORTON COMPANY, WE'VE BEEN TALKING THROUGH WHAT THE SEPTEMBER TRANSITION WOULD LOOK LIKE.
IN FACT, AT PUBLIC WORKS WE'VE CREATED A VERY LARGE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM WITH CITY STAFF AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS GROUP TO ASSIST IN OUR FUTURE TRANSITION OF THE MIRTH AND WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE AFTER SEPTEMBER.
GOING BACK TO LAST WEEK WE HAD BEEN UNDERSTANDING THERE WERE A NUMBER OF STAFFING ISSUES AT THIS FACILITY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.
WE WERE STARTING TO REALLY BECOME MORE CONCERNED.
BUT LAST TUESDAY UNFORTUNATELY THERE WAS A FIRE IN THIS FACILITY AND THIS FACILITY WAS THEN SHUT DOWN CONSEQUENTLY BY NORTON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NOT IN OPERATION.
THIS CLEARLY PUTS THE CITY IN A UNIQUE POSITION OF NOT HAVING A LOCATION TO HOLE THEIR COLLECTED CURBSIDE RECYCLING NOR THEIR COMMERCIAL RECYCLING TIPPINGS.
AS THESE PRODUCTS COME INTO OUR TRUCKS WE WOULD TAKE THEM TO THE NORTON FACILITY, TIP THEM ONTO A FLOOR, AND THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN PROCESSED.
WITHOUT THAT ABILITY IT REALLY PUTS PUBLIC WORKS IN
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AN OPERATIONAL STRAIN BECAUSE WE HAVE NOWHERE TO TAKE THAT PRODUCT FOR PROCESSING.UNFORTUNATELY FOR ABOUT THE LAST WEEK WE HAVE BEEN LANDFILLING THIS PRODUCT IF IT HAD BEEN COLLECTED.
WE HAD SUSPENDED THE RESIDENTIAL SERVICE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE OUR RESIDENTS TO HOLD THAT PRODUCT UNTIL WE CAN COME UP WITH A PLAN B ON VERY, VERY SHORT NOTICE.
UNFORTUNATELY OUR COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS WERE COLLECTED TO PREVENT OVERFLOWING BINS AND COMMUNITY LITTERING ISSUES AND IT WAS INDEED LANDFILLED.
BUT WE DO BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME OPTIONS THAT WE WILL TALK ABOUT AGAIN AFTER THIS AGREEMENT COMING THIS FOLLOWING MONDAY THE 8TH.
ONCE THE FIRE OCCURRED WE BEGAN CONTACTING AND DISCUSSING THIS SITUATION VERY QUICKLY WITH THE OWNERSHIP OF NORTON ENVIRONMENTAL.
AS OF THIS AFTERNOON WE HAVE COME TO AGREEMENT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE POSSESSION OF THE NORTON FACILITY.
REMEMBER THIS CONTRACT WAS GOING TO EXPIRE IN THE END OF SEPTEMBER AND THE CITY WOULD HAVE ASSUMED THAT BUILDING AND ITS OPERATION.
WE ARE ACCELERATING THAT REQUEST TOO NOW AND WHAT THAT WILL ALLOW US TO DO IS IN LIEU OF THE $75,000 PAYMENT THAT WE'RE REQUESTING WE WILL TAKE IMMEDIATE POSSESSION OF THE FACILITY SITE AND EQUIPMENT PLANT OPERATIONS WITHIN THE BUILDING THAT ARE STILL ONSITE AS OF 08:00 AM TOMORROW MORNING.
THIS PAYMENT WE FEEL IS JUSTIFIED AS IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND COSTLY FOR US TO NOT HAVE A HOME TO TAKE OUR RECYCLABLES TO.
WE WILL MAKE THAT REQUEST OF YOU THIS EVENING AND THIS AFTERNOON AND EXECUTE THIS AGAIN TO MORE EXPEDIENTLY TAKE THAT FACILITY INTO OUR POSSESSION AND START TO WORK TOWARDS A PROGRESSIVE PLAN OF BACK TO REGULAR ORDER AND A VERY SEAMLESS TRANSITION FOR OUR CITIZENS ON A VERY QUICK TIMELINE.
I WILL STOP THERE AND I'D LIKE TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE OF THE CONTRACT, THE TERMINATION OR THE PLANT ITSELF FROM THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.
THEN AGAIN, I WANT EVAN TO COME UP AND SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT MONDAY FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND THEN SARAH WILL FINISH UP WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS PIECE.
QUESTIONS ON THE TERMINATION AGREEMENT OR WHY WE'RE HERE THIS EVENING?
>> THANK YOU SCOTT. COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE HAS A QUESTION.
>> HI SCOTT. THANKS FOR THE PRESENTATION.
AS YOU WERE SPEAKING YOU SAID IN LIEU OF THE $75,000 PAYMENT BUT DID YOU MEAN IN LIEU OF EXTENDING OR SEEING THE CONTRACT THROUGH THE FULL PERIOD OR MAKING THAT $75,000 PAYMENT?
>> I'M SORRY. IF I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION OR CLARIFICATION CORRECTLY COUNCIL MEMBER, YES, WE ARE TERMINATING THE ORIGINAL TERMS WHICH WOULD HAVE ENDED SEPTEMBER 30 AND INSTEAD OF WAITING UNTIL THAT PROCESS WERE TO END WE ARE SEEKING THIS IMMEDIATE TERMINATION TO TAKE THE PLANT IN ITS CONDITION TODAY AND EXPEDITE THAT TIMELINE.
I HOPE THAT CLARIFIES YOUR QUESTION.
WE DO RECEIVE SOME BENEFIT OF VALUE FOR OUR TAXPAYERS BEING A LARGE INDUSTRIAL SCALE THAT WE WILL USE IN OPERATIONS THE ENTIRE PLANT IN ITS EXISTING CONDITION AND ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS THAT ARE LEFT ON PROPERTY, INCLUDING OF COURSE THE LAND WHICH WE DO OWN, IT'S BEEN ON A LAND LEASE AND THE BUILDING STRUCTURE.
THIS DOES EXPEDITE THAT AND TERMINATE THE CONTRACT EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
>> THANK YOU MAYOR. IS THERE ANY EQUIPMENT THAT IS BEING REMOVED FROM THE FACILITY?
>> IT'S UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE NOT TAKEN POSSESSION.
SHOULD THIS AGREEMENT BE APPROVED THIS EVENING WE DO HAVE THE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE OTHER SIDE.
THEIR PARTIES HAVE SIGNED THE AGREEMENT.
WE ARE AWAITING YOUR APPROVAL.
THEY DO HAVE UP AND THROUGH TODAY TO REMOVE THEIR PROPERTY FROM THE SITE.
I WOULD SUSPECT THERE MAY OR MAY NOT BE ACTIVITY BUT WE WILL TAKE POSSESSION TOMORROW AND TAKE A FULL INVENTORY OF WHAT IS ON SITE BUT IT IS TRULY THEIR POSSESSIONS AND PIECES UNTIL WE EXECUTE THIS AGREEMENT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS COUNCIL? DOES HE HAVE HIS HAND UP?
>> THANK YOU MAYOR. SCOTT, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF CONTAMINATION OR DAMAGE TO EVERYTHING WITHIN THE BUILDING DUE TO THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM.
CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THAT A LITTLE BIT AND DOES THAT INCLUDE THE SCALE? HOW EASY IS IT TO CLEAN THESE THINGS UP AND GET THEM OPERATIONAL?
>> EXCELLENT QUESTION VICE MAYOR. THANK YOU.
WE ARE NOT COMPLETELY CLEAR ON THE EXTENT OF THE FIRE DAMAGE.
WE ARE AWARE THAT THE FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED IN THE WESTERN PORTION OF THE BUILDING PRIMARILY OVER THE TIPPING FLOOR WHERE THERE WAS A TIP TO PRODUCT OR COLLECTED RECYCLABLES.
THOSE PRODUCTS WERE DEEMED DESTROYED
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IN THE WATER EVENT BECAUSE IT DID NOT BURN THAT PORTION.THOSE PRODUCTS WERE SUBSEQUENTIALLY LANDFILLED.
THE SCALE IS ACTUALLY OUTSIDE OF THE FOOTPRINT OF THE ACTUAL BUILDING.
IT IS A VERY LARGE SEMI-TRUCKS SCALE THAT YOU MIGHT SEE AT A TRUCK STOP OR IN AN INDUSTRIAL SETTING.
IT WAS NOT AFFECTED BY AN INCIDENT OF FIRE.
THEN THE RESET OF THE SYSTEM AND THE OPERATIONS OF THAT SYSTEM WILL BE EVALUATED IN THE MORNING, AND WE WILL WORK AS DILIGENTLY AS POSSIBLE TO GET THAT BACK TO AN ACTIVE STATE.
>> I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
>> EXCELLENT. THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO JUST TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO OUR SOLID WASTE SECTION DIRECTOR, EVAN TYRRELL FOR A LITTLE BIT OF FOLLOW UP ON WHAT WILL OCCUR FOR OUR RESIDENTS COMING MONDAY THE 8TH.
>> YES, COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY.
>> I JUST WANTED TO THANK STAFF FOR TAKING THIS VERY SERIOUSLY AND EXPEDITING IT.
I KNOW THAT IT'S BEEN VERY INTENSE AND YOU'VE DONE AS MUCH AS HAS BEEN POSSIBLE. THANK YOU.
>> EVAN, EXCUSE ME JUST ONE MOMENT.
>> [LAUGHTER] I THINK I JUST GOT PROMOTED. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I WANTED TO ECHO COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY'S ACCOLADES MAYBE WITH A LITTLE MORE CONTEXT.
NOT ONLY HAS THE TEAM BEEN WORKING HARD ON THIS, AND I'LL SINGLE OUT, SCOTT AND EVAN AND KEVIN AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED, BUT IT'S BEEN AROUND THE CLOCK.
INVOLVEMENT FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD AND READ AND ALL OF WHAT SCOTT JUST DESCRIBED TO YOU, THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED, EVERYTHING HAS HAPPENED WITHIN THE PAST SEVEN OR EIGHT DAYS.
IRONICALLY, THE MEETING WE HAD JUST PRECEDING THAT CLOSURE WAS TOWARD MAKING THE CONTRACT WORKED WITH NORTON AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET TO THE END OF THE ARRANGEMENT IN OCTOBER.
THESE FOLKS HAVE BEEN SCRAMBLING EVER SINCE TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.
I FIND IT REMARKABLE TO SAY THE LEAST, THAT WE ARE NOW LOOKING AT OCCUPYING THIS FACILITY, HAVING IT CLEANED UP AND OCCUPIED AS SOON AS MAY 8TH.
I WOULD NOT HAVE THOUGHT THAT TO HAVE BEEN IN THE REALM OF POSSIBILITIES HERE.
I THINK WHAT THAT MEANS, HOPEFULLY, AND WE'LL HEAR FROM EVAN AND SARAH AND OTHERS IS THAT THE RESUMPTION OF RECYCLING SERVICES, EVEN THOUGH THERE WILL BE A SUSPENSION OF THAT OBVIOUSLY, BUT IT WON'T BE CATASTROPHIC.
IT WON'T MEAN THAT THINGS CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT.
IT MEANS THINGS CAME TO A SHORT SUSPENSION.
I EQUATE IT TO WHAT WE HAD THIS LAST WINTER WITH OUR SNOW EVENTS.
THIS IS LIKE THAT, WHERE WE JUST HAVE TO INFORM OUR RESIDENTS, HANG ON TO YOUR STUFF, WE'LL GET TO IT NEXT WEEK.
SEEMS LIKE WE'RE THERE AND I JUST WANT TO PASS ON DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PULLED THIS THING TOGETHER.
MANY MOVING PARTS, IT'S BEEN AN AMAZING FEAT.
THANKS FOR LETTING ME SHARE THAT.
>> IF I MAY. THANK YOU, CITY MANAGER CLIFTON AND COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY.
I AM RELUCTANT TO LIST ALL OF THE NAMES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE ASSISTED US IN THE LAST EIGHT DAYS.
IT HAS A CROSS, LITERALLY EVERY DIVISION IN THE CITY AND WE'VE REALLY LEANED ON A LOT OF TALENT TO MAKE THIS AGREEMENT HAPPEN AND TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THIS WORKS SOMEWHAT SEAMLESSLY.
AGAIN, PLEASE THANK YOU FOR THE CREDIT.
BUT ORGANIZATIONALLY, EVERYONE HAD TO PULL A LITTLE BIT OF WEIGHT AND GET UP TO SPEED VERY QUICKLY.
WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF ALL THE EFFORTS AND THE DIVISIONS.
THEN JUST ONE NUANCE TO THE COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER, WE ACTUALLY TAKE POSSESSION TOMORROW MORNING AND THEN WE ARE HOPING TO RESUME SERVICE ON THE 8TH, WHICH EVAN WILL SPEAK TO, BUT WE WILL BEGIN IN EARNEST TOMORROW TO MAKE THE FACILITY WORTHY OF ITS ABILITY TO WORK NEXT WEEK.
EVAN, I'LL LET YOU TAKE THE FLOOR AND GO FROM THERE. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS EVAN TYRRELL.
I AM THE SOLID WASTE AND FLEET SERVICES SECTION DIRECTOR WITHIN THE PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION FOR THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF.
I'VE BEEN IN THIS ROLE FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW, BUT I'M ALSO NO STRANGER TO THE INDUSTRY AND ALL THINGS SOLID WASTE.
I WILL KEEP THIS BRIEF, BUT I DID WANT TO ALSO SHOUT OUT SOME ACCOLADES TO ALL OF THE CITY STAFF,
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DIVISIONS AND DEPARTMENTS THAT I'VE JUST DONE AN AMAZING JOB OVER THE PAST WEEK.WE HAVE BEEN WORKING THROUGH THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS ON A TRANSITION TEAM IN ANTICIPATION OF THE SEPTEMBER 30TH CONTRACT END DATE FOR [INAUDIBLE] AND ENVIRONMENTAL TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THESE CONTINGENCY OPTIONS, SHORT TERM INTERIM OPTIONS, AND THEN MORE LONG-TERM OPTIONS.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN THE CONTINGENCY PHASE AND WE'RE WORKING THROUGH SOME SPECIFIC DETAILS REGARDING THAT.
BUT AGAIN, I'LL KEEP THIS SHORT AND PROVIDE A FEW JUST BRIEF UPDATE.
NUMBER 1, OUR ANTICIPATION RIGHT NOW IS TO RESUME ALL COLLECTION SERVICES EFFECTIVE MONDAY, MAY 8TH AT THE LATEST.
WE DID HAVE SOME ALTERNATIVE ITEMS THAT WERE APPEAR TO BE READY IN LINED UP FOR THIS WEEK, BUT THOSE FELL THROUGH LAST MINUTE UNFORTUNATELY.
WE'VE AS A RESULT, CONTINUED THE PAUSE ON THE RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING SERVICES IN THE HOPES THAT WE CAN RESUME SERVICE AND PROVIDE FULL EXTENT OF RECYCLING STARTING MONDAY, MAY 8TH.
WITH RESPECT TO THE FACILITY, TOMORROW WE WILL BE GIVEN THAT THIS THIS CONTRACT PASSES THIS EVENING, GO INTO THE FACILITY, TAKING A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT, DOING ANY FURTHER CLEANUP EVALUATIONS, MAKING SURE THAT FACILITY IS SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE FOR OPERATIONS MOVING FORWARD.
OUR ANTICIPATION AND OUR HOPES ARE IS THAT WE CAN QUICKLY CONVERT THE FACILITY ON AN INTERIM BASIS TO A FACILITY WHERE WE CAN DROP THE MATERIALS ON THE FLOOR AND THE FACILITY FROM OUR COLLECTION VEHICLES AND THEN LOAD THOSE INTO LARGER TRUCKS FOR TRANSPORT TO THE PHOENIX METROPOLITAN AREA, WHERE WE DO HAVE AT THIS TIME, THREE FACILITIES THAT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PROCESS RECYCLABLES.
THEY ARE LINED UP. WE'RE WORKING THROUGH CITY PROCUREMENT POLICIES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
BUT THE LARGEST PIECE RIGHT NOW IS THE TRANSPORTATION ITEM.
TRANSPORTATION REMAINS A CHALLENGE IN INDUSTRY THROUGHOUT THE NATION.
BUT AT THIS TIME WE ARE VERY HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN GET SOMETHING LINED UP BY MONDAY, MAY 8TH, AND START MOVING MATERIALS FROM OUR COLLECTION VEHICLES TO THIS FACILITY TO MATERIALS RECOVER FACILITIES FOR THE PROCESSING AND RECOVERY OF RECYCLABLES STARTING MONDAY, MAY 8TH.
I'LL KEEP IT THERE AND KEEP IT SHORT AND I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU, EVAN.
I WANT TO ECHO WITH THE CITY MANAGER SAID AND COUNCIL MEMBER MCCARTHY, ALL OF YOU, SCOTT AND EVERYBODY INVOLVED.
THIS HAS BEEN A REMARKABLE TURNAROUND.
I KNOW THAT IT'S NOT AN EASY PROCESS.
WHAT IF WE CAN'T LIGHT UP A TRANSPORT FROM THE FACILITY HERE? IS THERE ANY CONSIDERATION OF JUST I KNOW, COMMERCIAL RECYCLABLES ARE GOING TO THE LANDFILL.
CURRENTLY, IT'S NOT THE MOST DESIRABLE SOLUTION, BUT IT DOES RELIEVE THE BACKUP TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND TO OUR BUSINESSES TO AT LEAST GET IT OFF THE STREET. CAN YOU SPEAK ON THAT?
>> YES. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION AND COMMENTS.
WITH COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES, WE CAN'T ASK THEM TO STOP GENERATING MATERIALS AND TO CLOSE BUSINESS.
WITHOUT COLLECTING COMMERCIAL CONTAINERS FOR RECYCLING AND TRASH, WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT OVERFLOWS AND WIND-BLOWN LITTER, ETC, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
FOR THE RESIDENTIAL COLLECTION SERVICES, WE FEEL THAT THIS PAUSE THROUGH FRIDAY AT THE LATEST IS THE FARTHEST THAT WE CAN GO.
I'M SORRY, MAYBE I DIDN'T CATCH THE FULL QUESTION OR WHAT INFORMATION [OVERLAPPING].
>> IF THERE'S NOT TRUCK AVAILABLE TO TRANSPORT THE MATERIALS DOWN TO PHOENIX, IS THERE ANY CONSIDERATION? DO JUST TAKE IT TO THE LANDFILL LIKE WE'RE DOING THE COMMERCIAL PRODUCT OR WILL WE CONTINUE A PAUSE?
>> WE WOULD LIKELY TAKE IT TO THE LANDFILL.
WE HAVE EVALUATED SOME ALTERNATE AREAS TO STORE MATERIALS, BUT THAT'S ALSO LARGELY WHY THE FACILITY WAS CLEANED UP THIS WEEK BECAUSE STORING MATERIALS FOR A LONG DURATION OF TIME WOULD CONSTITUTE FURTHER FIRE CONCERNS AND FIRE HAZARDS.
WE HAD TO CLEAN THOSE MATERIALS UP.
YES, IF WE DO NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION LINED UP FOR PHOENIX TRANSPORT BY MONDAY, WE WOULD STILL RESUME COLLECTION OF THE RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING CARTS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE WOULD HAVE TO BE DELIVERED TO THE LANDFILL FOR DISPOSAL.
>> IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, WE HAVE A BIT OF A CONTAMINATION ISSUE WITH RECYCLING? SCOTT JUMPED UP AND SO I'M WONDERING IF THAT POSES A CHALLENGE OR RISK A PROBLEM FOR HAVING A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF PHOENIX OR THE ENTITY IN PHOENIX.
>> MAYOR, I APOLOGIZE. I DIDN'T MEAN TO JUMP.
WITH EVAN BEING A LITTLE BIT NEW, I WANT TO REMIND US ALL AND I THINK STERLING WOULD HAVE DONE THIS TO ME ANYWAY.
I'M A LITTLE HESITANT TO TALK A LOT ABOUT OUR STRATEGIES AND OUR CONTAMINATIONS AND THINGS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK ON.
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BUT WE'VE TRIED TO STAY TONIGHT TO THE INTENT OF THE TERMINATION AGREEMENT AND WE'RE APPRECIATIVE OF THE QUESTION AND WE NOTE IT AND WE KNOW IT'S THERE.BUT I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T GET OURSELVES INTO A QUANDARY OF ANSWERING QUESTIONS THAT AREN'T RELATED TO TONIGHT'S CONTRACT.
>> GOT IT. WHEN CAN WE EXPECT TO DISCUSS OUR STRATEGIES GOING FORWARD IN TERMS OF SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING?
>> AS EVAN MENTIONED, WE DO HAVE OUR MATERIAL RECOVERY TEAM WORKING AND IT'S BEEN WORKING FOR A FEW MONTHS.
OUR SHORT-TERM MEASURES ARE OBVIOUSLY IN EFFECT FOR 1-3 WEEKS NOW.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER TRANSITION LIKELY TO A MORE PERMANENT OPTION.
THEN THERE'S A MUCH MORE ROBUST CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IN SIX MONTHS AND HOW OUR COMMUNITY HANDLES THIS.
IT INVOLVES MUCH MORE THAN JUST PUBLIC WORKS.
IT'S CITYWIDE, IT'S OUR CITIZENS, IT'S OUR SUSTAINABILITY DEPARTMENT, IT'S OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION.
IT IS EVERY ONE THAT TOUCHES A RECYCLABLE.
THAT EFFORT WILL BE UNDERWAY FOR MONTHS TO COME, AND WE WERE ALREADY ON THAT PATH.
STERLING, YOU'RE RIGHT THERE. I'M SORRY.
>> I'M HAPPY TO DEFER TO KEVIN.
HE'S BEEN THE [LAUGHTER] LEAD ON THIS ENTIRE THING.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR A MOTION TO GO AHEAD AND ACCEPT THIS.
>> YES. IT'S A SIMPLE MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT.
>> CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT?
>> MAYOR, I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE THE TERMINATION OF THE LEASE, CONSTRUCTION, AND SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FLAGSTAFF AND NORTON ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
>> IT LOOKS LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER HOUSE, DO YOU WANT TO SECOND?
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.
>> THANK YOU. WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.