President
Kevin Bennett
Solid Waste Manager
Lexington-Fayette Urban County (KY) Government

1st Vice President
Susan Keil
Director, Bureau of Environmental Services
City of Portland, OR

2nd Vice President
Peter Spatara
Assistant Director of Utilities
City of West Palm Beach, FL

Immediate Past President
Sarah Lile
Director of Environmental Affairs
City of Detroit, MI

Past Presidents
Willie Rhodes
Director Solid Waste Services
City of Austin, TX

Karen Larkin
Assistant Public Works Director
City of Tacoma, WA

Gary Price
Director Solid Waste Management
City of Denver, CO

Rudy Davidson
Cabinet Secretary Solid Waste Services, Louisville-Jefferson County (KY) Government

Rich Hays
Director Environmental Services
City of San Diego, CA

Tom Henderson
Administrator Solid Waste Services
City of Washington, D.C.

Trustees
Emma Acosta
Director Solid Waste
City of El Paso, TX

Lawrence Baker
Director Public Health and Environment
City of Irving, TX

Jonathon Bilmes
Executive Director Bristol Resource Recovery Operating Committee, Bristol, CT

Daniel Cardenas
Assistant Director, Public Works
City of San Antonio, TX

Frank Giordano
Executive Director Pollution Control Financing Authority
Camden County, NJ

Elmer Heap
Environmental Services Director
City of San Diego, CA

Sean McDonald
Director Solid Waste
City of Seattle, WA

Al Sanchez
City of Chicago, IL

Clarena Toleson
Commissioner
City of Philadelphia, PA

Daphne Washington
Director Waste Management Department, Kern County (CA)

 
 
From the Presidents Desk...
MWMA is Off to a Great Start in 2004

Thank you to all our members for your continued support and involvement. Here is a brief update of what MWMA is working on this spring.

Legislative Agenda: Thanks to Sarah Lile for her leadership last year, particularly by spearheading the development of MWMA’s legislative agenda. As the task force is reviewing past USCM resolutions, it is working on developing policy on new issues, like electronics recycling. The task force is open to anyone who is interested. Contact MWMA staff to get involved.

Conference Calls: The first conference call of 2004 was a smashing success. More than fifteen cities participated in a lively exploration about safety trends and best practices. This distance learning initiative gives MWMA and SWAC members access to the most up to date information and an opportunity to dialogue with policy makers and practitioners without leaving their office. Coupled with the list serve, MWMA and SWAC members have a twenty-four seven dialogue.

2004 Fall Summit: Planning is underway for the 2004 Fall Summit. I’m excited to showcase some of the programs we’ve implemented in Lexington! Please let me know if you have a program or service you’d like to share. The Fall Summit is about exchanging ideas and learning with and from each other. Look for your agenda later this summer.

For more information about any of MWMA’s programs, please contact Susan Jarvis, sjarvis@usmayors.org; 202.861.6760.
MWMA Legislative Taskforce
Develops New Agenda

Since its' creation in 1982, MWMA has served as a conduit for environmental legislation, crafting and recommending resolutions for U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting.

"With Judy Sheahan serving as MWMA's managing director and as USCM’s environmental lobbyist, MWMA has a unique opportunity to coordinate and leverage policy and programming," explained MWMA President and Manager of Solid Waste Services for Lexington-Fayette (KY) Urban County Government, Kevin Bennett. "MWMA is looking forward to exploring this new synergy."

While MWMA's legislative taskforce is reviewing current MWMA and USCM policy, they are focusing on a few key issues, including electronics recycling, alternative fuels, MTBE, waste to energy issues and Brownfields redevelopment. "MWMA's membership is diverse, in terms of responsibilities and interests," continued Mr. Bennett. "Electronics recycling is really at the forefront of any discussion we have. It effects both our public and private sector members in so many different ways." MWMA and its private sector partner, the Solid Waste Advisory Council, have a history or collaborating on win-win policy, including shared responsibility, waste to energy credits and recycled paper. MWMA’s legislative task force is certain this model will continue to be effective.

If you are interested in serving on MWMA's legislative taskforce, please contact Susan Jarvis at sjarvis@usmayors.org; 202.861.6760.
Join the Official United States Conference
of Mayors Earth Day Event!

Be part of an effort that recycles millions of tons of office paper, saving thousands of trees every year.

Join more than 200 cities, public agencies, and private sector organizations nationwide.

Energize your recycling program with local celebrations, media events, and contests.

Registration is FREE!
We provide informational and promotional
materials and event organizing ideas!

To register, visit www.cleanyourfilesday.org

For more information, e-mail tfischer@usmayors.org
or call 202.861.6779.

In Association with the Municipal Waste Management Association

MMWA 2003 President Sarah Lile, Director, Environmental Affairs, City of Detroit passes the gavel to 2004 President Kevin Bennett, Solid Waste Manager, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (KY) during the 2003 Fall Summit in Detroit.
MWMA Announces 2004 Officers and Trustees

The Municipal Waste Management Association (MWMA) recently announced it’s 2004 slate of Officers. Created in 1982 as the environmental affiliate of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, MWMA serves as a legislative voice, a best practice exchange and a peer network for the nation’s senior urban environmental professionals. Kevin Bennett, Solid Waste Manager for the Lexington-Fayette (KY) Urban County Government was elected President. Susan Keil, Director of Environmental Services, City of Portland (OR) was selected as First Vice President and Peter Spatara, Assistant Director, Utilities, City of West Palm Beach (FL) will serve as Second Vice President.

Kevin Bennett, President of MWMA is confident this year’s officers and trustees reflect the diversity of interest and experiences of solid waste, recycling and waste to energy professionals. “This year’s executive committee and board of trustees represent the breadth and depth of urban environmental issues. From waste to energy, to recycling and environmental policy, our leadership had the experience and expertise to position MWMA as a practical and progressive organization.” As MWMA President, Mr. Bennett and the City of Lexington is charged with developing and hosting MWMA’s 2004 Fall Summit, October 20-22nd. “Lexington is excited about showcasing our environmental and solid waste management programs. The Fall Summit is a great opportunity for MWMA members to network with each other and our private sector colleagues, share best practices and stay current on environmental legislation and policy.”

MWMA depends on the time, talent and expertise of its’ volunteers to design and deliver professional development opportunities, legislative briefings, and practical management solutions to our membership. MWMA officers and trustees provide strategic direction for the organization, contribute to its’ programming, including quarterly conference calls, list serve discussions and serving as panelists for the annual Fall Summit.

"The 2004 Executive Committee and Board of Trustees are committed to MWMA and will contribute to our exploration of new technologies for improved operations, promotion of electronics recycling and extended product stewardship, facilitate dialogue with our private sector partners and advocate for healthy and clean cities,” concluded Mr. Bennett.

(For a complete list of the 2004 MWMA Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, click on www.usmayors.org/mwma.)

For more information about MWMA membership and the 2004 Fall Summit, please contact Susan Jarvis at sjarvis@usmayors.org; 202.861.6760.
MWMA Explores Safety Trends

Establishing and maintaining a safe workplace is an effective way of improving the bottom line. Identifying hazards in the workplace and establishing operational best practices are critical to a successful loss prevention/safety program. On Thursday, March 18th, MWMA hosted a complimentary conference call for members interested in identifying safety trends and exchanging best practices.

Susan Eppes, a safety consultant for EST Solutions in Houston, TX, provided an overview of collection routes best practices and touted the ANSI guidelines as a foundation for safer departments. Ms. Eppes discussed guidelines for speed, backing, seat belts and personal protective equipment, like safety goggles. “Managers should review their routes for potential high risk maneuvers,” suggested Ms. Eppes. High-risk maneuvers include backing, double siding, zigzagging and unprotected left turns. The department’s goal should be to reduce the number of high-risk maneuvers, which lower the opportunity for accidents or injury.

The lockout/tag out procedure disables any power source, creating a barrier between the truck, the driver and/or any equipment. The logout/tag out ensures that workers can not be caught by unexpected movement from conveyers, balers, blades or other machinery or equipment during maintenance, cleaning or processing.

David Biderman from the Environmental Industry Association echoed Ms. Eppes comments, noting the waste industry has seen a significant drop in workplace accidents and fatalities over the last few years. Mr. Biderman believes the key to increased workplace safety is supervisor involvement. Management must make a commitment to safety and develop a plan to reduce hazards to employees.

Republic Industries is doing just that, explained Wayne Sizemore. Instead of suspending workers, they are “retrained” by a supervisor. “These one on one sessions allow the worker to really understand what he or she was doing wrong and why it is so important to do it correctly,” concluded Mr. Sizemore.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government is also taking a “top down” approach to safety. Emma Turley, Safety Coordinator, the Department of Solid Waste shared their successful approach to training. Last April, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County government opened a 5-acre training pad. Drivers are trained on all aspects of the job, including pre-trip and post-trip procedures. Ms. Turley said back injuries and vehicular accidents are down significantly since the new training program was implemented.

MWMA will continue to discuss issues of safety throughout the year. If you have a best practice, a new challenge or a question, please forward to Susan Jarvis, sjarvis@usmayors.org, and we’ll use it to thread a discussion on the list serve or as part of a panel at the Fall Summit.

Ms. Eppes’ PowerPoint presentation is available for review at www.usmayors.org/mwma.

2004 Renewed Members

The following MWMA and SWAC members are paid in full for 2004. Thank you for your continued support!

 

Altamonte Springs, FL
Athens, GA
Austin, TX
Baltimore, MD
Bristol Resource Recovery, CT
Broward County, FL
Chicago, IL
Corpus Christi, TX
Dearborn, MI
Denver, CO
Detroit, MI
Dover, DE
El Paso, TX
Evanston, IL
Fremont, CA
Garland, TX
Gary, IN
Indianapolis, IN
Irving, TX
Kern County (CA)
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (KY)
City of Los Angeles
County of Los Angeles
Louisville, KY
North East Solid Waste Commission (MA)
Orlando, FL
PCFA of Camden County (NJ)
Philadelphia, PA
Portland, OR
San Diego, CA
San Jose, CA
Seattle, WA
South Bend, IN
Tacoma, WA
Tampa, FL
West Palm Beach, FL

Coventa Energy
Integrated Waste Services Association
Toter, Inc.
Waste Management, Inc.

Welcome to our newest SWAC member:
American Ref-Fuel
Susan King
Director of Government Affairs
201.690.4800
susan.king@ref-fuel.com

Brownfields 2004:  Gateway to Revitalization
April 17, 2004—New Deadline, Call for Presentations

Submit your idea for a poster, panel, or marketplace of ideas session for Brownfields 2004: Gateway to Revitalization by April 17 at www.brownfields2004.org. Brownfields 2004 will feature more than 200 presenters, 4,000 participants, 200 exhibitors, and three full days of educational and networking opportunities. The conference features numerous educational sessions designed to cover key issues facing brownfields professionals, including targeted options for both beginners and seasoned experts. In order to create an exceptional educational experience, we welcome your perspective on the most important and relevant issues facing brownfields practitioners today.

Hurry, the deadline for submissions is April 17, 2004!  For more information check the web site or e-mail us at brownfields2004@icma.org.

Save the Date
MWMA’s 2004 Fall Summit

 

When: October 20-22

Where: The Griffin Gate Marriott Resort, Lexington, KY

Cost: MWMA/SWAC Registration: $400 before September 19th

Please call The Griffin gate Marriott Resort directly at 859.231.5100 for hotel reservations by September 29th to receive the $65.00 MWMA room rate.

Look for the agenda this summer!