Blog #26 Town Council Actions from October 5, 2011

Fairfax Town Council Appoints Planning Commissioner, Discusses Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Agreement

Planning Commissioner Appointment

The Town Council interviewed two candidates for one Planning Commissioner vacancy. After the interviews and considering the written applications turned in by both candidates the Council appointed Barbara Coler. Barbara has served on the Open Space Committee for a number of years and currently works for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District as a Program Manager. Barbara holds a Master’s Degree in Arts and a Bachelor’s Degree in Systematics and Ecology. Barbara is filling the seat that was vacated by Peter Ramsey who moved out of Town.

Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Agreement

A draft Resource Recovery Agreement with Marin Sanitary Service (MSS) was discussed by the Council and public input was taken. The current Solid Waste, Recycling and Resource Recovery Agreement was written and approved on April 19, 1993 and was with a different garbage hauler. MSS took over this Agreement without any changes. Much has changed in the solid waste, recycling and resource recovery world since 1993 and the Town Council and MSS felt it was time to create an Agreement that better reflects the services that are being provided and can be provided today that were not possible in 1993 such as the pilot food waste recycling program started in Fairfax last year.
This draft Agreement is proposed for ten years and would offer the following new services:

Brush Clearing/Fuel Reduction Program: This involves removing, chipping and redirecting heavy brush that may pose a fire threat to the Town. Town will determine, based on need for creating defensible space, which areas of Town will receive the brush clearing each year, as there is limited funding.

Free Compost for Residents: Marin sanitary Service (MSS) shall distribute 15 tons of compost three times per year, spring, summer, and fall. Town will come up with designated location and will provide bunker. A list of compost bin suppliers may be found at: www.calrecycle.ca.gov/organics

Food Waste Pilot Program: MSS will develop a food waste pilot program at three multi-family complexes in Town. Locations will be mutually agreed upon by Town and MSS.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) On Call Pick-Up Program: MSS shall provide residential customers (businesses are excluded from this program) HHW on-call pickup each calendar year at no additional charge by prearranged appointment on their regularly scheduled collection day. There will be no charge for the following items: household batteries; latex paint in sealed containers (limit of 3 gallons); motor oil in sealed or capped containers (limit of 2 gallons); oil filters; pesticides (limit of 3 gallons); fluorescent lights or tubes; aerosol cans partially filled (empty cans may be placed in dual sort cart); computers and monitors; printers; televisions; and cell phones. No flammable, toxic, or hazardous material will be accepted. All items must be contained in boxes or bags. Customers must call Monday-Friday during normal business hours at least 24 hours in advance to schedule an appointment. MSS shall implement the program no later than January 1, 2012.

The Resource Recovery Agreement will return to the Town Council for approval on November 2, 2011.

Other actions taken at the Town Council October 5, 2011 meeting:

• Directed staff to write a Request for Proposals for banking services for the Town;

• Adopted Resolution 11-55 calling on Congress to re-direct military spending to domestic priorities;

• Directed staff to enter into negotiations to provide police dispatch services for the Town of Ross;
Other notes and announcements:


• Fairfax Food Pantry – Saturdays 9-12 Noon at the Fairfax Community Church,1000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd

• Vacancy on the Fairfax Youth Commission for Ross Valley youth between 14 and 19 years of age

• Peri Park Playground Clean-up Day is Saturday, October 8th from 9:00 a.m.-Noon, sponsored by PARC

• October 10, 2011 is the 100th Anniversary of California granting women the right to vote; register by October 24th to vote on November 8, 2011.

• SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, December 4th, Deer Park Villa, Appreciation Dinner for Council Member Lew Tremaine's twelve (12) years of service to the Town as a Council Member and Mayor.

The next Town Council meeting will be November 2, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Women’s Club.

Blog #25 - PCE Cleanup at Fair Anselm

As many residents and business owners may recall there was an investigation into possible PCE contamination at the site that was the Broadway Video store at the Fair Anselm Plaza. The Department of Toxic Substances Control has been involved for more than a year and has finally finished soil gas samples taken from underneath the building. The results of the sampling will be posted tomorrow at the following link: www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public.

The results indicate there is PCE in the soil under the building and at high enough levels to warrant an expedited removal action. The cleanup will involve the following process:

DTSC will remove the PCE by installing a sub-slab vapor collection and treatment system in units located at 709 and 711 Center Blvd. This system will extract and treat air from a gravel layer in the sub-slab area that was found to be contaminated with PCE, a common dry cleaning solvent. Gas extracted from the sub-slab area will be passed through three drums of carbon. PCE will be captured on the carbon. The treatment system, including the carbon drums and other equipment will be located inside a fenced area in the southeast portion of the Site's parking lot near the dumpsters. Clean air will be released from an exhaust stack. The entire setup is called a sub-slab vapor collection system. This process will begin in early November 2011.

If you have any questions about the Site or upcoming work please contact DTSC's Project Manager, Milly Pekke, at 510-540-3777.

DTSC believes there is no immediate public health risk. However, the elevated PCE levels below the building pose a problem that should be addressed in the short term, as long-term exposure to the contaminates at the Site at elevated levels may cause negative health impacts.