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and with yard waste dropped inside the access gate, there was the potential for its <br />contamination with increased non-residential use of the leaf site and possibly <br />requiring more city staff monitoring of that site. <br />Discussion ensued with Chair Cihacek identifying current areas for wood chips, <br />compost and additional materials on the displayed site map and potential relocation <br />areas to make access easier. Mr. Culver noted that the woodchips and compost <br />were available for pick-up as well as drop-off with gates — if installed — needing to <br />be left open over the weekends when residents are typically performing their yard <br />work and needing access for pick-up from the site. Discussion continued on options <br />including moving organics collection into the bay on the exterior of the site for 24/7 <br />access without any additional staff costs for weekends and still allowing access for <br />organic drop off without significantly impacting the compost and wood chip <br />materials. Mr. Culver identified the private property on the northern edge of the <br />site; and further addressed concerns if gates were left open overnight, as well as <br />larger issues with unauthorized dumping at the site and having to pay staff to open <br />and close the gates. <br />Chair Cihacek suggested moving the gate as a more cost-effective measure if <br />access was relocated. <br />Mr. Culver agreed this may be a valid consideration for a long-term solution, but <br />would require additional city funds above the $5,000 allowance from Ramsey <br />County in order to move the gate and realign access. In the fall, Mr. Culver noted <br />that the site got very full with leaves, and required room for city staff to move the <br />rows around requiring space for circulating the rows. Mr. Culver stated that he <br />didn't disagree with Chair Cihacek's suggestion, stated that he'd prefer to see <br />dumpsters on the public side of the gate as well since they'd be more visible and <br />the hauler could easily access them without being able to get into the gate or <br />whether or not the main gate was blocked by leaves frequently dropped off and <br />before city staff had time to move the leaves. However, without moving the gates, <br />Mr. Culver opined that it would be difficult. <br />Referencing previous comments during staff's comments about the Parks & <br />Recreation Department concerns in loosing any additional parking spots at <br />suggested park locations for recycling and/or organic collection, Member Wozniak <br />asked if there was an opportunity to minimize the loss of parking spaces when <br />redoing parking areas to expand drop off areas. Mr. Culver reported that several <br />parking spots had been added recently where possible, but also noted the additional <br />demand for parking when activities are underway at parks (e.g. baseball and soccer <br />fields). <br />Member Trainor encouraged rethinking the potential organic collection site as <br />suggested by Member Wozniak, opining that this type of collection has the <br />hallmarks of growing as recycling has grown in the community. Member Trainor <br />opined that this industrial site has a strong list of cons and isn't appealing to people <br />Page 7 of 11 <br />