Caledonia Argus

New recycling standards in effect

Posted: 9/2/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

Some Caledonia residents are finding out that not all materials they thought be be recyclable actually are. Last week, those items were left on the curb while the truly recyclable items were collected.

Rick Frank, county solid waste officer, and Nick Nichols, recycling coordinator, met with the Caledonia City Council August 25 to explain some changes that are coming about in the recycling program.

Due to a tightening of budgets at every level of government, the county is beginning a new public awareness campaign to avoid the cost of having to sort out and haul non-recyclables.

Frank told the board that there are more than 100 types of plastic, and very few of those are recyclable. It is a common misconception that all plastic stamped with a ì2î can be recycled. Actually, only plastic bottles and jugs that have necks are recyclable. For the most part, only soda pop, milk and detergent bottles should be left in the recycling bins. Examples of plastics NOT recyclable are whipped topping containers, ice cream buckets and plastic bags from stores.

Recyclable items also must be clean or they will not be picked up.

Another item often placed out for recycling but which cannot be recycled, said Frank, is cardboard boxes from 12-packs of pop and beer. Only corrugated cardboard can be recycled. Pizza boxes and other take-out food containers are not suitable, said Nichols.

It costs the county between $400 and $500 a month to get non-recyclable items sorted from recyclable and dispose of it, said Frank.

For more information, see the ad on page 6.

City fields request from CYSA

In other news, Nancy Messner, president of the Caledonia Youth Soccer Association, asked the city for permission to use the field at Veterans Memorial Park for league soccer practice for two months in the spring. The league currently rents fields on Adams Street.

Mayor Robert Burns asked if the association would be willing to pay $200 per month to cover the cost of mowing.

Messner said she would return to the soccer association board and ask if that would be acceptable.

Council approves JOBZ resolution

The council also passed a ìJOBZî resolution to support the establishment of tax-free ìjob opportunity building zonesî. By approving the application, the city will be able to participate in the program but it is not committed to do so. In order for a regional application to be accepted and sub-zones established by the Department of Trade and Economic Development, all taxing authorities within the county must pass a resolution supporting it.

In its last session, the state legislature passed legislation allowing the establishment of tax-free zones in an effort to boost the economy and create jobs. Distressed areas are targeted under the program. The tax-exemptions apply to improvements, not to the land on which the business is located.

A qualified business that relocates to a tax-free zone must meet capital investment and employment goals for the duration of the designation (12 years). If it does not, it must repay any benefits it receives. Retail businesses are not included in this program.

In another economic development matter, the council held a public hearing on a business subsidy loan for Sno-Pac Foods. The $150,000 loan is from Tri-County Electric. It passes through the city and is guaranteed by the city. No one from the public spoke on the matter. The city approved the loan.

The business subsidy loan is in addition to an $80,000 revolving loan previously approved by the city, which also is coming from Tri County Electric.

There was also no discussion from the public on another hearing regarding several variances requested by George Kittleson of Kittleson Masonry, who plans to build an office 46' x 80' building at the intersection of East South Street and South Second street. The concrete building will have a brick exterior. The variances were approved unanimously.

Cityís levy limit increases

The city council learned at its last meeting that levy limits for 2004 have increased to $230,141, an increase of almost $50,000 over the levy limits established in 2003. According to city clerk administrator Robert Nelson, itís the first significant increase since levy limits were implemented.

Insurance rates to increase

The city will be paying nine to 12 percent more for health insurance in the coming year.

At its meeting of August 25, the council reviewed the premiums from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, which went into effect September 1.

Rates for employees and spouses increased various amount, from a low of 9 percent for those 30-34 (from $266 to $290) to 22.6 percent for those over 65 (from $359 to $440). The rate for one child jumped 14.1 percent, from $185 to $211.

The overall average for the city is an increase of 12.7 percent, or $895 per month.

The plan has a $200 deductible.

In other news, the council learned that several old railroad maps formerly owned by George Crotty, depot agent for the Milwaukee Road, have been donated to the city by his daughter, Kathleen Crotty.

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