July 20, 2021 Meeting Minutes

posted Jul 26, 2021, 3:23 PM by Cate Harrington

Minutes Arlington Mill Civic Association

July 20th, 2021 7:00PM

1. Call to order. Cate Harrington, new President called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM. There were 5 attendees.

Agenda:

-Welcome Introductions

-Announcements from the President

-Next meeting September 21, 2021 at 7:00 pm

-Meet your new board Members Cate Harrington, President and Miriam Bolaños, Secretary

-Liz Crowther, Arlington Department of Environmental Services Presentation, Q&A

2. Ms. Harrington expressed the reasons behind her decision to become the President of the Civic Association; she wants to accomplish the following:

-Empower residents by building a political coalition so we all can have more influence. Solving problems will become easier with Arlington County. If we have more people, we will have more power as an organization.

-Build membership so we can grow as an organization.

-Ms. Harrington will update the website, and she hopes more people will join.

-Build membership

-Join with other Columbia Pike civic associaons

-Create a “Columbia Pike West End voters guide”

-We want to hear from you!

-But we also need your help

-More people = more power

-Not a citizen yet? You are not alone

-Join with other Columbia Pike civic associations

-Create a “Columbia Pike West End “voters’ guide”

3. Transit Updates

-August 1st ART and Metrobus service at Ballston Metro Station will be relocated due to construction for Phase 2 of the Ballston Metro station Multimodal Improvements Project. To find more information go to ArlingtonTransit.com/phase2

-Bus Shelters: Structural stability issues have led to delays in original design. Possible delivery of eight alternate shelters by February 2022.

-Bus route 16Y will (hopefully) return in September 2021

4. Undergrounding of utilities in Arlington Mill

-Estimated completion February 2022

Future construction on Columbia Pike as follows:

-Westmont Shopping Center (Columbia Pike and Glebe Rd.)

-2400 Columbia Pike (across from Penrose Square)

-The Elliott (Columbia Pike and Walter Reed Dr.)

-Street improvements through 2026

-Orme St. – Joyce St.

-Queen St. – Courthouse Rd.

-Courthouse Rd. – Garfield St.

-Oakland St. – Wakefield St.

Our guest tonight Ms. Liz Crowther, Outreach Specialist from the Arlington Department of Environmental Services, started her presentation by saying that she was glad to be here tonight to give the residents an overview of the work they do.

Ms. Crowther covered the following topics:

-General state of recycling in the County

-Plans for the future

-Food scraps overview

The County conducts quarterly trash audits to have a clear understanding of what is being discarded and recycled in order to see what needs to be improved. Audits occur randomly at disparate locations in the County.

She explained the composition of the recycle and how in the county many people still using plastic bags to recycle items. Items should be placed in the Blue bin loose without plastic bags.

A comment from a resident: “Some neighbors have not been able to keep up with the changes and still putting glass in the recycle bin. I have seen a lot of people putting their recycle items in plastic bags inside the Blue bin.”

A comment from resident: It was noted that there is a lot of littering in the neighborhood. Sidewalks and curbs are constantly marred by trash.

SUGGESTIONS from Arlington County to reduce WASTE

• Use bags for trash ONLY

• Collect recycling loosely in CART (Don’t BAG recycle items)

• Use reusable plates, silverware, coffee cups, etc.

• Shop at thrift and consignment stores

• Buy package-free

• Local foods at farmers’ markets

• By from bulk bins

If you are not sure what needs to be in the recycle bin put in the trash (Black Bin)

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

• Post audit education

• Glass recycling education

• E-Care (electronics, paints, metals... Residents should confirm exact categories of acceptable waste with County)

• Curbside Food Scraps Collection

The program of Food Scraps Collection will start on September 6, 2021.

Main points of this program is that residents will have the opportunity to put their food scraps for recycle in the Green bin.

• Program will divert over 3,000 tons of compostable material from Arlington’s waste stream.

• Food scraps can be placed in compostable bags, paper bags, or loose in existing County-provided Green organics cart

• Place your Green organics cart at the curb prior to 6 a.m. on your normal curbside collection day.

• There is no need to separate the materials.

• Each Arlington residential customer is being provided with a “kitchen caddie” composting starter kit. 33,000 will be delivered in three weeks.

• The caddie contains informational material as well as 40 compostable bags to line the caddie.

• For residents that do not wish to use the kitchen caddie for compost collection, the County asks that you look for opportunities to repurpose the caddie.

Ms. Crowther’s office will send informative stickers about recycling and trash disposal. Our membership coordinator will distribute these items to residents in the community. If residents have any questions they can contact the County at the following number or email:

ARLRECYCLES@ARLINGTONVA.US

Phone number: 703-228-7610

Our next meeting will be September 21, 2021 at 7:00 pm. We hope to see you, this meeting was adjourn by Cate Harrington at 8:05 pm.