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>> CASTILLO: WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED. THE TIME IS 2:03 ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, FOR THE 2023 COMMUNITY HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING.
QUORUM. >> CASTILLO: GREAT. SO WE HAVE A FEW ITEMS ON THE AGENDA TODAY. WE'RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE MIGUEL HERE AS WELL AS
[Approval of Minutes ]
JOSEPHINE. IF WE CAN PLEASE READ -- OH, HAVE THE -- MOTION FOR ITEM1 FOR THE MEETING MINUTES. >> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR COMMUNITY
HEALTH EQUITY ON AUGUST 21. >> I SECOND. >> CASTILLO: GREAT.
CAN WE PLEASE HAVE A VOICE VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY? >> CLERK: THERE ARE NO
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MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, DEBBIE. ITEM 2, BRIEFING ON COVID-19 UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND WE HAVE OUR PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATOR MIGUEL.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING ME TODAY. AS FAR AS COVID-19 GOES, HERE LOCALLY I WILL START OFF WITH WHAT HOPEFULLY LOOKS VERY FAMILIAR TO MOST OF YOU ALL IF NOT EVERYONE HERE. IT IS A SCREEN SHOT OF OUR COVID-19 SURVEILLANCE DASHBOARD WHICH IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT COVID-19.SAN ANTONIO.GOV AND UPDATED ON A WEEKLY BASIS. YOU SEE THE LATEST TRENDS, WE DO CONTINUE TO SEE COVID-19 IN THE AREA, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE IN DOWN REGARD TREND, MEANING WE'RE SEEING LESS OR FEWER CASES ON A WEEKLY BASIS.
AND WE DO NOT KNOW IF WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE THIS TREND CONTINUE BECAUSE IT IS STILL A LITTLE EARLY ON, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS TO SEE IF WE CONTINUE TO SEE THIS DOWNWARD TREND. WE DO EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO SEE SURGES IN THE FUTURE AS NEW VARIANTS GET REINTRODUCED INTO THE AREA.
AND THESE ARE GOING TO BE VARIANTS THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN EXPOSED TO BEFORE.
THE SILVER LINING IN ALL OF THIS IS THAT THE NEW VARIANTS THAT ARE CIRCULATING HAVE NOT BEEN ANY MORE DEADLY OR MORE SEVERE THAN THE VARIANTS THAT HAVE CIRCULATED IN THE PAST. AND ALSO, HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATHS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19 HAVE REMAINED LOW IN THE AREA.
IN TERMS OF VACCINATION, VACCINES CONTINUE TO BE OUR BEST WAY TO PREVENT SEVERE ILLNESS DUE TO COVID-19. AND THERE WAS A REQUEST BY THE CDC TO PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES TO UPDATE THE VACCINES TO BETTER MATCH THE VARIANTS ACROSS THE U.S. AND GLOBE. AND SO THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES RESPONDED AND ON SEPTEMBER 11TH, THE FDA APPROVED A NEW VERSION OF THE PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINES WHICH INCLUDED THE VARIANT XBB.1.5 WHICH IS PART OF THE OMICRON VARIANT AND A VARIANT MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE VARIANT CIRCULATING TODAY.
ON SEPTEMBER 12, THE CDC ALSO GAVE THEIR APPROVAL AND RECOMMENDED THESE NEW VACCINES BE MADE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS SIX MONTHS OF AGE AND OLDER.
THE UPDATED NOVAVAX VACCINE IS STILL PENDING APPROVAL, AND ONCE THAT HAPPENS WE EXPECT THE SAME THING MAKING THOSE VACCINES AVAILABLE. CURRENTLY THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED VERSION OF THE VACCINE CONTINUES TO BE AVAILABLE LOCALLY.
AND WE IN METRO HEALTH WILL BE RECEIVING VACCINES, OUR VACCINAL LOW INDICATIONS THROUGH DHSS THROUGH CDC AND I WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THIS IN THE NEXT SLIDES.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES TO THE COVID-19 VACCINE PROGRAM IS THAT THE VACCINES ARE NOW GOING TO BE AVAILABLE IN THE COMMERCIAL MARKET AND BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE USUAL ROUTES THAT OTHER IMMUNIZATIONS ARE AVAILABLE, MEANING THAT HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS CAN ORDER VACCINES AND THEN CHARGE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS FOR THE COST OF THE VACCINE AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF THAT VACCINE. SO MOST OF THOSE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS WILL COVER THE COST OF THE VACCINE TO THE INDIVIDUAL AT NO COST TO THE INDIVIDUAL.
HOWEVER, FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NO INSURANCE OR WHO ARE UNDERINSURED, THE CDC CREATED A BRIDGE ACCESS PROGRAM TO MAKE THESE VACCINES AVAILABLE THROUGH
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TWO ESTABLISHED PROGRAMS WHICH ARE THE VACCINES FOR CHILDREN'S PROGRAM AND THE ADULT SAFETY NET BARACK PROGRAMR ADULTS. THESE ARE THE ROUTES METRO HEALTH WILL HAVE VACCINES AVAILABLE THROUGH THOSE TWO PROGRAMS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CDC CONTRACTED WITH RETAIL PHARMACY PROVIDERS, SPECIFICALLY WALGREENS AND CVS, TO OFFER VACCINES THROUGH THE BRIDGE ACCESS PROGRAM TO INDIVIDUALS WITH NO INSURANCE OR WHO ARE UNDERINSURED.AS FAR AS WHAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO DO IN METRO HEALTH IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19, OUR EPIDEMIOLOGY PROGRAM ABSORBED THE SURVEILLANCE AND OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19. AND OUR IMMUNIZATIONS PROGRAM CONTINUES TO OFFER VACCINES THROUGH OUR POP-UP CLINICS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY WHERE WE PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES ALL OVER THE COMMUNITY THAT WILL HOST US AND ALLOW US TO OFFER THE VACCINE TO VARIOUS COMMUNITIES IN SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY. AND WE ALSO CONTINUE TO OFFER THE VACCINE THROUGH OUR BRICK AND MORTAR IMMUNIZATIONS CLINIC LOCATED ON 212 NORTH WADERS. AND THE VACCINES THROUGH THE POP-UP CLINIC ARE WITH NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED. AND FINALLY, YOU KNOW, THE GUIDANCE IN TERMS OF WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM COVID-19 HAVEN'T CHANGED MUCH, AND SO THE IMPORTANT THINGS ARE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO KNOW THEIR RISK AND ASSESS THEIR RISK TO DETERMINE WHAT METHODS THEY NEED TO TAKE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES WHICH INCLUDE VACCINATION, BEING AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK, AVOIDING PUBLIC GATHERINGS IF THEY NEED TO, AND DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT THEY NEED TO WEAR A MASK.
AND IF THEY ARE EXPOSED, THEY CAN ALSO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THEY SHOULD USE A MASK AND DEFINITELY MONITOR THEIR SYMPTOMS. AND IF SOMEONE DOES BECOME ILL, WE RECOMMEND THAT INDIVIDUALS SEEK GUIDANCE FROM A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND TESTING. AND IF POSITIVE, PLEASE ISOLATE AT HOME OR WHEREVER THEY CAN BE AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC. ONE LAST ITEM IN REGARDS TO TESTING, LAST WEEK ON WEDNESDAY THE U.S. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ANNOUNCED THEY ARE REACTIVATING COVID TESTS.GOV. THERE'S ALSO A PHONE NUMBER LISTED ON THEIR WEBSITE WHERE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR WEB CAN CALL AND GET THE SAME SERVICES. THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION AND I'LL BE
HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
YOU ANSWERED A COUPLE QUESTIONS THAT I HAD WITH THE TESTING THAT THEY HAVE SHARED. I HAVE RECEIVED CALLS AND CONCERNS FROM CONSTITUENTS IF THEY SHOULD BE WORRIED OR ALARMED THESE ARE ACCESSIBLE AGAIN, WHICH IS GOOD, BUT DOES THAT MEAN THERE'S A TREND WE SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT.
WHAT I HEARD THE NEW VARIANT ISN'T AS DEADLY AND THE SURGE ISN'T A SPIKE WE'VE
SEEN WITH PRIOR VARIANTS. IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT IS CORRECT.
SO THE MAJORITY OF OUR POPULATION HAS NOW -- HAS IMMUNITY EITHER THROUGH VACCINES OR ACTUALLY HAVING COVID SO WE DO HAVE A HIGH LEVEL OF IMMUNITY.
SO FAR WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANY NEW VARIANTS THAT ARE ANY MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE
PREVIOUS VARIANTS. >> CASTILLO: IN REGARDS TO SELF-REPORTING, HAS METRO
HEALTH DONE REPORTS ON HOW WE CAN TRACK? >> THE NUMBERS INCLUDED IN OUR SURVEILLANCE COUNTS ARE LABORATORY TESTS CONDUCTED THROUGH A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. WE HAVE NOT HISTORICALLY INCLUDED SELF-REPORTED TESTS, BUT THERE IS A MECHANISM THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THERE IS A WEBSITE WHERE INDIVIDUALS CAN GO ACCESS AND DO A SELF-REPORT.
HOWEVER, WE DO NOT INCLUDE THAT DATA SO IT DOESN'T SKEW IT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. THAT'S HELPFUL. I'LL OPEN IT UP FOR
DISCUSSION. DR. ROCHA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU.
I HAVE BEEN WORRIED WITH THE NUMBER OF CASES IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS I'VE HEARD ABOUT.
YOU MENTIONED THE PHARMACY CONTRACT AND I DIDN'T HEAR YOU MENTION HEB.
SO IS THERE A REASON WHY IT WAS ONLY CVS AND WALGREENS OR --
>> SO THAT IS A CONTRACT THAT WAS ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
AND IT WAS NOT ONE THAT WE ESTABLISHED LOCALLY. HOWEVER, THEY ARE CONTINUING TO ADD ADDITIONAL PHARMACIES TO THAT CONTRACT TO ADD MORE PHARMACIES THAT ARE
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AVAILABLE THROUGH THAT PROGRAM. >> GARCIA: WONDERFUL.
THANK YOU. THAT'S MY ONLY QUESTION. AND THEN I'M SURE THAT WE HAVE A MECHANISM IN PLACE KIND OF LIKE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JUST OPENED UP THE WEBSITE AGAIN FOR TESTS. WE KIND OF HAVE THE SAME THING AND, LIKE, I GUESS IF WE HAVE TO KICK IT INTO HIGH GREER WHERE WE WOULD GO -- GEAR TO DO VACCINES.
>> CORRECT. WE ARE DEFINITELY PREPARED. AS FAR AS WHY THE TESTS, I FORGOT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION EARLY. WHY TESTS ARE BEING MADE AVAILABLE NOW, IT'S PARTICULARLY RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES INCREASE DURING THE WINTERTIME. WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE PREPARED AND HAVE THOSE MECHANISMS AVAILABLE TO THEM SO IF THEY DO BECOME SICK, THEY CAN EITHER DETERMINE
WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE COVID. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, CHAIR. >> CASTILLO: COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO.
>> GAVITO: THANK YOU. A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. WE DON'T KNOW OF ANY SCHOOLS THAT ARE MANDATING THE VACCINES, SCHOOLS IN PARTICULAR.
>> IT'S NOT A MANDATE TO REQUIRE THE COVID-19 MANDATE IN SCHOOLS.
>> GAVITO: I WAS READING AN ARTICLE WHETHER IT'S IN TEXAS TRIBUNE OR TEXAS MONTHLY, I PERSONALLY HAVE SEEN THIS FROM -- I HAVE SCHOOL-AGED KIDS AND MOM FRIENDS, THERE WAS SUCH A BACKLASH TO THE COVID VACCINE THAT THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE KIDS ALL THE OTHER VACCINES THEY SHOULD GET.
SO THERE'S A HIGH RATE OF, LIKE, I GUESS THERE'S A FORM IN TEXAS THEY CAN FILL OUT SO THEIR KIDS DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THE VACCINES. I'M WONDERING WHAT WE'RE DOING TO PREPARE FOR THAT. BECAUSE WE MIGHT START SEEING THE SPREAD OF ALL THESE OTHER THINGS BECAUSE KIDS ARE NOT GETTING VACCINATED FOR ALL THE OTHER THINGS. HAVE YOU SEEN THAT, THOUGHT ABOUT THAT?
>> YES, SO WE HAVE SEEN INCREASES IN NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO REQUEST AN EXEMPTION FROM GETTING THEIR VACCINES. HOWEVER, WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IS WE DO MAKE THE SCHOOL-AGED VACCINES AVAILABLE THROUGH ALL OF OUR POP-UP CLINICS, IT'S NOT JUST THE COVID-19 VACCINE. PART OF OUR STAFF WE HAVE A TEAM OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS THAT GO OUT TO KIND OF ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT COMMUNITIES MIGHT HAVE AND WE DEPLOY THESE STAFF AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODS WE'RE GOING TO BE HOSTING A VACCINE EVENT SO THEY ARE AWARE ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT HE MIGHT HAVE OR ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE VACCINES.
>> GAVITO: I'M WONDERING WHAT OTHER TYPE OF CAMPAIGN WE COULD DO.
LIKE MY YOUNGEST JUST GOT HER FOUR-YEAR-OLD VACCINES. I WAS TALKING TO THE PEDIATRICIAN ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S A GROWING CONCERN THAT SO MANY PARENTS HAVE JUST THIS I DON'T KNOW, FOUR-YEAR-OLDS, THEY GET THREE VACCINES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. SO I DO JUST THINK CITYWIDE WE PROBABLY HAVE TO BE READY FOR THAT BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE POP-UP OF ALL THESE OTHER THINGS.
I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON THAT. I DID HAVE A COUPLE OTHER QUESTIONS. PIGGYBACKING ON COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO'S QUESTIONS ON, THE SELF-REPORTING, I MEAN YOU HEAR SO MANY UPDATES.
HOW LONG ARE PEOPLE SUPPOSED TO QUARANTINE IF THEY TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID.
>> THEY SHOULD QUARANTINE FOR UP TO 28 DAYS, BUT IT IS TEN DAYS AFTER SYMPTOMS START. UP TO 28 DAYS IS THE MOST EXTREME CASE PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE SYMPTOMS. BUT IT'S TYPICALLY TEN DAYS AFTER AND IF THEY HAVE NO SYMPTOMS, WE ASK THAT THEY SELF-ISOLATE FOR TEN DAYS SINCE GETTING THEIR POSITIVE
TEST RESULT. >> GAVITO: AND WE HAVE SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE GETTING COVID NOWADAYS, AND ALL OF THEM ARE LIKE I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG I'M SUPPOSED TO AND I WAS LIKE I DON'T KNOW EITHER. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
WHAT IS THE LATEST ON PEOPLE GETTING THE FLU AND COVID VACCINE AT THE SAME TIME? CAN THEY GET IT AT THE SAME TIME? I KNOW THAT LAST YEAR IT WAS
LIKE YEAH, IT'S OKAY, SO WHAT'S THE LATEST THERE? >> PEOPLE CAN GET THE VACCINE AT THE SAME TIME, AND IT IS ACTUALLY RECOMMENDED.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THE NEWEST COVID VACCINE IS THEY CAN GET IT IF IT'S BEEN AT LEAST TWO MONTHS SENSE NECESSITY RECEIVED THE LAST -- SINCE THEY LAST
RECEIVED A VACCINE FOR COVID. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU.
THAT'S ALL MY QUESTIONS. >> CASTILLO: ONE LAST QUESTION.
THE -- THE FACILITY WHERE CITY EMPLOYEES GO TO GET TESTED, IS THAT STILL
AVAILABLE? >> I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S STILL AVAILABLE, BUT THE TESTING IS WIDELY AVAILABLE AND I'M NOT SURE IF THERE'S A SPECIFIC SITE.
I CAN FOLLOW UP WITH THAT. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. IT WAS GREAT.
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THANK YOU. WE CAN NOW MOVE ON TO ITEM 2, BRIEFING -- ITEM 3, RATHER, UPDATE ON RECYCLING IN SAN ANTONIO WITH THE DEPARTMENT -- WITHJOSEPHINE, CORRECT? >> YES. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU,
JOSEPHINE. TAKE IT AWAY. >> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
TODAY I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON TWO OF OUR PERFORMANCE METRICS AND GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF PREVIEW OF OUR NEW RECYCLING CONTRACT THAT'S GOING TO GO INTO EFFECT NEXT YEAR. SO BACK IN 2010, CITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHED A RECYCLING GOAL OF 60%. LATER ON WE HAVE REMAIMED NAMED THIS TO A DIVERSION RATE. IT INCLUDES RECYCLING AND BRUSH AND PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING THAT FINDS A HOME SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN A LANDFILL.
ONE OF THE KEY TAKE-AWAYS OF THIS GOAL IS THAT THIS IS A WEIGHT-BASED GOAL.
IT DOESN'T TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION SUSTAINABILITY, DOESN'T TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WASTE REDUCTION. IF YOU BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLE BAGS TO A GROCERY SHOP, IT ONLY APPLIES TO SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.
SO COMMERCIAL, GATED COMMUNITIES, SCHOOLS, NONE OF THAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS GOAL. OUR DIVERSION RATE HAS IMPROVED OVER TIME.
EVERY TIME WE HAVE INTRODUCED A NEW PROGRAM, OUR DIVERSION RATE HAS INCREASED. IN 2007, THAT'S WHERE WE STARTED THE CONVERSION FROM MANUAL TO AUTOMATION, MEANING EVERYONE STARTED GETTING A BIG CAN BOTH FOR GARBAGE AND RECYCLING. RECYCLING INCREASED. IN 2010 WAS WHEN THE NEW GOAL WAS ESTABLISHED, 2010 WAS ALSO THE YEAR WE STARTED REQUIRING RESIDENTS TO SEPARATE BRUSH AND BULKY SO THAT LED TO INCREASE IN DIVERSION RATE.
IN 2012 WE INTRODUCED OUR GREEN CART WHICH LED TO MORE INCREASES.
IN 2017 WE PAY AS YOU THROW, THE TIER PRICING SYSTEM WHICH LED TO MORE INCREASES, AND WE'RE CURRENTLY AT A DIVERSION RATE OF ABOUT 36%. THIS IS VERY COMPARABLE TO CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES THAT HAVE ROBUST RECYCLING PROGRAMS. EVERY NOW AND THEN YOU WILL HERE ABOUT A CITY WITH A HIGH RECYCLING RATE AND THEIR FORMULA IS DIFFERENT FROM OURS. WHEN YOU SEE A CITY WITH A VERY LARGE RECYCLING RATE, THEY TYPICALLY ARE INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS OR SOME OTHER NON-RESIDENTIAL ITEM THAT IS VERY HEAVY. NOW, I KNOW THE QUESTION EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW IS WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET TO 60%.
BEFORE I TALK ABOUT THAT, I THOUGHT I WOULD WALK YOU THROUGH ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE THROWING AWAY NOW. PERIODICALLY WE DIG THROUGH THE TRASH.
WE TAKE SEVERAL THOUSAND POUNDS OF RANDOM GARBAGE SAMPLES FROM OUR RESIDENTS.
WE PUT THEM IN THE GROUND, SORT THEM INTO CATEGORIES AND WEIGH THEM.
WE KNOW ABOUT 45% OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE PUTTING IN THE BROWN CAN COULD GO INTO A GREEN OR BLUE CAN. I WANT YOU TO IMAGINE IF WE WERE IN A PERFECT WORLD AND ALL OUR RESIDENTS WERE FULLY RECYCLING, FULLY COMPOSTING, DOING IT PERFECTLY EVERY WEEK AND THE BROWN GARBAGE CAN JUST HAD GARBAGE IN IT. IF THAT WAS THE CASE, OUR DIVERSION RATE WOULD BE 58%. 60% IS LIKE MATHEMATICALLY IMPOSSIBLE.
SO WHY IS THAT? LET ME WALK YOU THROUGH A COUPLE OF REASONS.
I'LL REMIND YOU THAT OUR DIVERSION RATE IS BASED ON WEIGHT.
AND PRODUCTS HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME. SO THIS IS HOW MANY OF US USED TO GET OUR INFORMATION, LOOKING AT ALL OF YOU, HAVE TABLETS ON YOUR DESK RIGHT NOW. SO FROM A SUSTAINABILITY STANDPOINT, SAVING TREES AND REDUCING PAPER HAS BEEN GREAT, BUT ON THE DOWNSIDE IT'S REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF PAPER THAT'S AVAILABLE FOR RECYCLING WHICH IS VERY HEAVY.
OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED HAVE BEEN CONSUMER PACKAGING.
COFFEE, FOR EXAMPLE. COFFEE USED TO COME IN A VERY HEAVY METAL CAN FULLY RELIKEABLE. THEN TRANSITIONED TO A RECYCLABLE PACKAGE.
BACK IN 2015, IT TOOK ABOUT 48,000 BOTTLES TO MAKE A TON OF PLASTIC BOTTLES.
TODAY THAT SAME TON REQUIRES ABOUT 92,000 BOTTLES. SO OUR RECYCLING OF PLASTIC BOTTLES HAS ALMOST DOUBLED, BUT THE RECYCLING RATE DOESN'T CHANGE BECAUSE MATERIALS HAVE GOTTEN SO MUCH LIGHTER. SO WHAT SOME -- WHAT MANY OTHER CITIES ARE STARTING TO TRANSITION TO IS CAPTURE RATE.
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CAPTURE RATE IS THE WEIGHT OF REPSYCHABLE MATERIALS DIVIDED BY THE POOL OF RECYCLABLE MATERIALS. IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD YOU HAVE 100 WATER BOTTLES AND YOU PUT 48 OF THEM IN THE BLUE CAN AND 52 IN THE BROWN CAN. GIVING YOU A CAPTURE RATE OF 48%. AND THIS IS AN ACTUAL NUMBER FOR US BASED ON OUR WASTE STUDIES. WE ARE OF THE POTENTIAL RECYCLABLES, ABOUT HALF MAKE IT INTO THE CORRECT CAN. I ALSO MENTIONED WE HAVE A NEW CONTRACT THAT'S GOING TO START IN AUGUST OF 2024. THIS IS AN ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPH OF THE BUILDING IN PROCESS OF BEING BUILT. I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.WE WENT OUT FOR THE GROUNDBREAKING, IT WAS FUN. I'M EXCITED BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO HAVE AN EDUCATION CENTER, MEANING THAT IT'S GOING TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS FOR SCHOOL TOURS. SO FOR SAFETY REASONS, OUR RECYCLING PROCESSOR HAVE NEVER ALLOWED FOLKS TO TOUR THE MACHINERY, WHICH I UNDERSTAND, BUT THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A VIEWING GALLERY SO KIDS WILL BE ABLE TO BEHIND THE SAFETY OF A WINDOW BE ABLE TO GET CLOSE AND SEE THE MACHINERY IN ACTION AND SEE THE RECYCLING IN ACTION. THAT'S REALLY EXCITING.
THE CONTRACT IS GOING TO BE VERY STRUCTURE SIMILAR TO OUR CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE TODAY. WE PAY THE PROCESSOR A TIPPING FEE TO PROCESS OUR MATERIALS. THEY SELL IT AND IN TURN THEY REBATE THE REVENUES BACK TO US. THERE IS GOING TO BE ONE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THE CONTRACT TODAY, PLASTIC BAGS WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED IN THE CART.
NONE OF THE SUBMISSIONS, INCLUDING THE ONE FROM OUR CURRENT VENDOR, WERE WILLING TO ACCEPT PLASTIC BAGS. THE PLASTIC BAGS GET CAUGHT UP IN THE MACHINERY.
YOU CAN SEE TRYING TO UNTIE ALL THE PLASTIC BAGS GOTTEN CAUGHT IN THERE.
AS A RESULT, MOST CITIES HAVE STOPPED ACCEPTING PLASTIC BAGS IN THE CART.
I WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY CITY IN TEXAS THAT STILL TAKES THEM IN THE CART.
THE RECOMMENDATION WE ARE MAKING FOR RESIDENTS IS THAT WE TURN THE BAGS BACK TO THE RETAILER. THE PLASTIC BAGS ARE RECYCLABLE, BUT TRYING TO COLLECT THEM THROUGH THE CART IS PROBLEMATIC. WE ARE GOING TO BE LAUNCHING TWO CAMPAIGNS TO TELL RESIDENTS ABOUT THE CHANGE IN PLASTIC BAGS.
WE HAVE ORDERED NEW STICKERS FOR ALL OUR CARTS THAT TELL PEOPLE WHAT TO PUT IN THE CART AND IT SAYS PLASTIC BAGS WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED.
IN THE SPRING WE'RE GOING TO DELIVER A DOOR HANGER TO CUSTOMERS TELLING THEM PLASTIC BAGS WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTABLE. RECYCLING REVENUES ARE VERY SICK LA -- CYCLICAL. THIS GRAPH IS SHOWING REVENUE PER TON AFTER EXPENSES. FROM A LOW OF $13 IN FISCAL YEAR '20 TO A WHOPPING REVENUE HIGH OF $46 IN FISCAL YEAR '22. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO PREDICT WHAT REVENUES ARE GOING TO BE. EVEN AT OUR LOWEST POINT, RECYCLING HAS ALWAYS BEEN CHEAPER THAN LANDFILLING. TO ME ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT RECYCLING IS THAT I ALWAYS LIKE TO SAY IS IT'S NOT REALLY RECYCLING UNTIL ISD SOLD. WHEN A RESIDENT PUTS THEIR ITEM INTO THE BLUE CART, THAT'S ONLY STEP ONE. IF THE MANUFACTURER CAN'T CLEAN IT UP, SELL IT, HAVE SOMEONE BUY IT TO MAKE SOMETHING NEW, WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME BUT NOT ANY ENVIRONMENTAL REWARDS. SOME ITEMS EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY BE RECYCLABLE SUCH AS PLASTIC BAGS ARE DIFFICULT TO PROCESS EVEN WITH A GOOD MARK. WHAT WE AS A CITY ARE DOING WHICH IS THE SAME THING MOST CITIES ARE DOING IS FOCUSING ON QUALITY AS OPPOSED TO CAN'T.
WE WANT PEOPLE TO RECYCLE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, BUT WE WANT THEM TO RECYCLE CORRECTLY. OUR EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS THIS YEAR WILL BE FOCUSED ON DOING IT RIGHT. IN SUMMARY, THE OUTLOOK IS GOOD IN RECYCLING.
I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW FACILITY. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE OUR WORK ON BENCHMARKING, OUR CAPTURE RATE AS WELL AS COMPARING TO WHAT OTHER CITIES ARE DOING. THIS IS A PICTURE OF ONE OF OUR SCHOOL GAMES.
THIS IS A BIG TOUCH SCREEN THAT WE TAKE OUT TO THE SCHOOLS WHERE WE HAVE A RECYCLING GAME, HELPING KIDS SORT MATERIALS INTO CORRECT CARTS.
IT'S A LOT OF FUN AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING A LOT MORE OF THAT THIS YEAR.
THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. I'M OPEN FOR QUESTIONS.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. I'M INTRIGUED ON THE PLASTIC BAGS AND MOVING AWAY FROM THOSE BEING RECYCLABLE AND I UNDERSTAND WHY.
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HAS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO OR SOLID WASTE EXPLORED POTENTIALLY INCENTIVIZING BUSINESSES THAT OFFER ONLY PAPER OR REUSABLE BAGS? IS THAT SOMETHING WE'VELOOKED INTO? >> WE HAVE NOT LOOKED SPECIFICALLY AT AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM. WE HAVE IN THE PAST DONE AN EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP WITH HEB, TARGET AND WALMART TO TRY TO REMOTE MORE REUSABLE BAGS.
>> CASTILLO: MY TEAM WAS LOOKING INTO PROHIBITING PLASTIC BAGS.
WITH OUR GREEN WAY TRAILS WE'RE ALWAYS VOLUNTEERING TO CLEAN UP AND THEY ARE SIMILAR TO THE MACHINERY, WEAVED INTO THE TREES AND ROCKS AND IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEAR ALL OF THEM ALONG THE GREEN WAY AND IT'S DEFINITELY A CONCERN, OF COURSE, FOR THE FISHES AND THE VEGETATION THAT'S THERE. BUT I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, ANY OUR OFFICE CAN DO TO HELP WITH THE PUBLIC EDUCATION PIECE ON MOVING AWAY FROM THOSE GOING FROM THE RECYCLE BIN, PLEASE LET US KNOW AND WE'RE HAPPY TO TAKE THAT ON. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL, YOUR TEAM IS AMAZING AND I KNOW MY CONSTITUENTS SERVICES TEAM IS WATCHING AND WANT ME TO THANK ALL OF YOU ALL FOR Y'ALL'S WORK THAT Y'ALL DO. THEY ARE REALLY GRATEFUL.
BUT ALSO SEEING THE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS THAT YOU ALL DO, WITH THE GOING TO INCLUDE EDUCATION AND THEN TO SEE THE OUTREACH THAT YOU ALL DO WITH THE STUDENTS TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON. AND FOR OUR OFFICE, WE OLES ENSURE WE'RE IN THE SCHOOLS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT KIDS CAN SHAPE THEIR PERSPECTIVES OF THEIR PARENTS. THEY GO HOME TO TALK TO MOM AND DAD ABOUT WHAT THEY LEARNED AND THEY COULD ALSO TELL MOM AND DAD NO, LIKE THAT'S WRONG.
SO I THINK IT'S GREAT AND REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU ALL ARE DOING AND WE CAN
MOVE ON INTO DISCUSSION. COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO. >> GAVITO: I TOTALLY AGREE. I THINK KIDS CAN TEACH PARENTS HOW TO RECYCLE.
FOR ME THERE IS JUST SO MUCH CONFUSION, YOU CAN RECYCLE THE WATER BOTTLE BUT NOT THE LID. STILL THE PLASTIC BAGS. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME SORT OF CAMPAIGN ON WHAT TO RECYCLE, WHAT NOT TO. NOT ONLY FOR THE SCHOOLS BUT THE ADULTS. I THINK ALL OF US WANT TO BE GOOD STANDARDS, BUT SOMETIMES YOU ARE KIND OF LIKE I DON'T KNOW WHAT I CAN RECYCLE TODAY OR NOT.
I THINK BROWNSVILLE ACTUALLY BANNED THE PLASTIC BAGS. >> THEY DID AND THEN THEY WERE FORCED TO RESCIND IT. THE STATE LEGISLATURE PASSED A LAW A FEW YEARS AGO, IT'S
PROHIBITED FOR CITIES TO BAN PLASTIC BAGS. >> GAVITO: REALLY? INTERESTING. IT IS WHAT YOU SEE AROUND THE LAKES AND THE TRAILS AND YEAH, THEY ARE NOT FUN. HOW DOES OUR RECYCLING COMPARE TO OTHER CITIES?
>> I WOULD SAY IT'S COMPARABLE. I WOULD SAY IN OUR RECYCLING PROGRAM IS BETTER THAN A LOT OF CITIES IN ONE REGARDS OF WE STILL ACCEPT GLASS.
SO GLASS IS ONE OF THE THOSE ITEMS THAT IS FULLY RECYCLABLE, BUT GLASS IS BASICALLY MADE OUT OF SAND SO IT'S JUST AS CHEAP TO MAKE A NEW GLASS BOTTLE AS RECYCLE ONE. WE RELY ON SOME OF OUR MORE VALUABLE COMMODITIES LIKE MILK JUGS OR ALUMINUM CANS TO SUBSIDIZE THE COST OF GLASS.
>> GAVITO: WHAT OTHER INNOVATIVE WAYS ARE WE LOOKING AT TO ENCOURAGE
RECYCLING? >> WE HAVE HAD A LONG TIME INSPECTION PROGRAM THAT IN THE PAST HAS KIND OF BEEN PUNITIVE. THERE IS FINES FOR PUTTING THINGS INCORRECTLY IN THE CART. WE HAVE ACTUALLY RESTRUCTURED OUR INSPECTION PROGRAM AS OF NEXT MONTH, WE TALKED TO STAFF, BUT WE'RE INTRODUCING A MORE, GENTLER, FRIENDLIER PRO-EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO RECYCLE AND NOT DISCOURAGE THEM BECAUSE IT'S TOO COMPLICATED.
>> GAVITO: YEAH. AND I KNOW ONE OF THE THINGS KIND OF BEING IN CORPORATE AMERICA A LITTLE WHILE WAS PEOPLE ARE JUST LIKE YEAH, WE SPEND ALL THIS TIME CAREFULLY SORTING THROUGH EVERYTHING, BUT, YOU KNOW, THE JANITORIAL SERVICES THAT COME IN THE EVENING PUT EVERYTHING IN ONE BUCKET ANYWAY.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE OR NOT AND ALSO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S SOMETHING YOU ALL WORK WITH BUSINESSES OR SOME OF THE JANITORIAL SERVICES ON.
>> SO WE HAVE A PROGRAM KNOWN AS WE WORK SA, WHICH IS AN EDUCATION AND RECOGNITION PROGRAM FOR BUSINESSES IN RECYCLING AND SUSTAINABILITY.
FOR BUSINESSES THAT ARE EXCELLING AT SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES WHETHER IT'S RECYCLING OR WATER, WE HAVE A PROGRAM FOR THEM. FOR BUSINESSES WHO ARE MAYBE NOT THERE YET BUT WANT TO START, WE HAVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FREE CONTAINERS WE CAN GIVE THEM TO HELP THEM START A PROGRAM.
[00:30:04]
>> GAVITO: INTERESTING. AND WE WORKED WITH DAVID ON THIS EARLIER THIS WEEK, I THINK IT WAS OUR JEFFERSON AND MONTICELLO AREA, THEY WERE ALL UPSET BECAUSE THEIR RECYCLING AND ORGANIC BINS WERE NOT GETTING COLLECTED. WHAT'S THE BEST WAY FOR
RESIDENTS TO SAY, HEY, TO SET UP A NEW PICKUP DATE? >> IF THEIR BIN IS NOT COLLECTED, THE BEST OPTION IS CONTACT 311 TO REPORT IT. MR. MCCARY GAVE ME A LIST OF SOME ADDRESSES IN THE JEFFERSON AREA AND ONLY ONE OF THOSE ADDRESSES HAD A HISTORY OF CALLING 311. SO PERHAPS -- I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY ARE TRYING TO
CONTACT THE ORGANIZATION. >> GAVITO: I THINK THEY ESCALATED IT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FACEBOOK PAGE AND STUFF LIKE THAT. THAT'S HOW WE GOT A LOT OF THAT INFORMATION AND THOSE
ADDRESSES, BUT I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY CALLED 311. >> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO CALL 311 BECAUSE THAT SYSTEM IS ALWAYS THERE, BUT IT KEEPS A RECORD OF THE CALLS AND MAKES IT EASIER. SOMETIMES FOLKS WILL CALL ME, MR. MCCARY AND I'M LIKE WHEN WE GET IT, WE'LL TAKE CARE OF IT.
IF I'M NOT THERE TO ANSWER THE CALL AS OPPOSED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE WHOSE JOB IT IS TO BE BY THE PHONE, THAT'S A CLICK AWAY TO GET A RESPONSE.
>> GAVITO: I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE. I THINK WE NEED TO MEET OUR RESIDENTS WHERE THEY ARE. WHETHER THEY ARE DOING THE CONCERN ON FACEBOOK, WE JUST NEED TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THEM. I KNOW I GET FRUSTRATED, OH, BUT CALL 311, LIKE DO AN EXTRA STEP. WE'RE TRYING OUR BEST TO MEET OUR RESIDENTS WHERE THEY ARE WHICH IS WHY WE COLLECTED ALL THAT
INFORMATION ON FACEBOOK. THANK YOU, CHAIR. >> CASTILLO: COUNCILMEMBER
ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: YOU ARE RIGHT, I'M SO EXCITED THE NEW RECYCLING FACILITY IS GOING TO BE IN D4 WITH AN EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT.
I'M SO JAZZED ABOUT THAT. >> THE CONTRACT STARTS AUGUST OF '24.
THEY EXPECT TO BE DONE AROUND JUNE. >> GARCIA: SO HOW OFTEN DO YOU ALL UPDATE THE BOOKS. THEY HAVE BOOKS AND SO WHEN I GO READING TO THE KIDS, LIKE IT'S EITHER CARE BEARS BOOK OR A RECYCLING BOOK THAT I TAKE.
THIS IS LIKE MY FAVORITE GO-BETWEENS. THEY HAVE ONE FOR ORGANICS AND ONE FOR RECYCLING THAT THEY HAVE THEM IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.
HOW OFTEN DOES THAT ONE GET UPDATED? WHEN ARE YOU ALL GOING TO
PRINT A NEW EDITION? >> IN TERMS MUCH REWRITING, WE'RE NOT PLANNING UPDATE ON THE CONTENT, BUT TO FOCUS MORE ON THE SAFETY ASPECT AND THE COLLECTION AND TELLING KIDS AND ADULTS, DON'T RUN IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK, WAIT, THAT TYPE OF
THING. >> GARCIA: GOOD. AND THEY HAVE FANS, Y'ALL.
DURING THE COVID, LIKE WHEN EVERYBODY WAS STAYING HOME, I HAD A FRIEND AUDIO] FOR THE RECYCLE AND TRASH TRUCKS TO PASS BY. SO WE GOT THEM BOOKS THAT THEY COULD BE EXCITED ABOUT IT. I HAVE A QUESTION ON GIFT BAGS. BECAUSE YOU ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT PLASTIC BAGS AND HOW THEY GET CAUGHT. I KNEW THEY GET CAUGHT. ARE WE NOT ALLOWED TO PUT
THEM IN A BIG BAG ANYMORE? >> YOU CAN. THAT'S OFFICIALLY GOING TO STOP IN AUGUST OF 2024. WE'RE IN A TRANSITIONAL MESSAGE, WE'RE GOING TO START TELLING FOLKS TAKE THEM BACK TO THE RETAILER BUT YOU CAN STILL DO IT FOR
A FEW MONTHS. >> GARCIA: I PACK IT UP IN A BIG BAG AND STUFF ALL MY PLASTIC BAGS. WHAT ABOUT GIFT BAGS? DO THEY GET STUCK ALSO?
>> IF THEY ARE 100% PAPER, THEY ARE GENERALLY OKAY. TYPICALLY WHAT'S THE PROBLEM IS THE HANDLE. TYPICALLY A LOT OF THE GIFT BAGS HAVE EITHER A PLASTIC OR ROPE HANDLE. IF YOU CUT THE HANDLE OFF, THE BAG ITSELF SHOULD BE
FINE. >> GARCIA: WHAT I DO IS I CUT THE ROPE OFF AND THROW IT LIKE IN THE REGULAR TRASH, AND THEN I RECYCLE THE BAG.
BUT I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALIZE THAT. AND THE REASON I'M SAYING THAT IS BECAUSE I SEE PEOPLE LIKE THROW IN THE RECYCLE THEIR GIFT BAGS.
AND LIKE WAIT A SECOND, YOU CAN'T DO THAT. I FEEL LIKE I CAN'T BE THE RECYCLE PATROL ALL THE TIME SO I'M WONDERING LIKE IS THERE MESSAGING THAT GOES WITH THAT? LIKE WHEN IS YOUR NEXT CAMPAIGN? I KNOW YOU ALL WERE WORKING ON A NEW CAMPAIGN SPECIFICALLY
AUDIO] BUT MAYBE THAT SHOULD BE A PART OF IT AS WELL. >> SO WE DO A HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN ABOUT TYPICAL THINGS YOU SEE AROUND THE HOLIDAY SEASON LIKE GIFT WRAP. I'LL BE SURE THAT WE ADD BAGS TO THAT BECAUSE THAT'S
A GOOD ONE. >> GARCIA: YEAH, AND I FEEL LIKE A LOT MORE PEOPLE
[00:35:02]
USE GIFT BAGS. THEY ARE JUST EASIER, RIGHT. ANYWAY, THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS AND MY QUESTIONS. AND GREAT JOB AS ALWAYS AND THANK YOU, CHAIR.>> CASTILLO: GREAT. >> I WANTED TO FOLLOW ON COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO'S CONCERN. WE DO NOT ONLY WANT TO MEET RESIDENTS WHERE THEY ARE AND THAT HAS BEEN THE PRACTICE. JUST SO EVERYBODY WILL KNOW, IF THEY DON'T CALL 311 AND SAY THEY CALL DAVID NEWMAN OR JOSEPHINE, WE'LL HANDLE IT AND STILL REPORT IT TO 311. I THINK THAT LIST THAT YOU ALL HAD, WE DIDN'T HAVE DIRECT PHONE NUMBERS AND CONTACTS SO IT TAKES A ESLITTLE LONGER AND SOMETIMES WE'LL HAVE TO GO ON SITE, LOOK IN THE ALLEY, SEE IF THE CART IS THERE AND WHAT'S HAPPENED TO IT. BUT WE ARE IN THE PRACTICE OF MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE. REGARDS HOW CHALLENGING IT MAY BE, JUST TO FOLLOW UP WE
WILL ADDRESS IT. THANK YOU. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU.
FROM GOING IN THE RECYCLING BIN? >> CORRECT.
THOSE -- I DID CHECK WITH HEB, THEY WILL ACCEPT THOSE IN THEIR LITTLE KIOSKS THAT
THEY HAVE AT THE HEB STORES ALSO. >> CASTILLO: I'M CURIOUS WITH THE KIOSK AT SOME OF THE STORES, IF THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR US USING 311 AS A WAY TO TRACK IT TO INCENTIVIZE RESIDENTS TO TURN THEM IN.
I'VE ALWAYS SEEN THOSE RECYCLING BINS FOREVER BUT I'VE NEVER USED THEM BUT THEY ARE THERE. BUT NOW THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE FOR, RIGHT? BUT AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCENTIVE I'VE FOLKS TO RETURN THEM AND IF THEY POST ON THE 311 A PHOTO FIVE TIMES THEY CAN GET FREE PARKING AT A CITY LOT.
NO, THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS. I BELIEVE COUNCILMEMBER
GAVITO HAS SOMETHING. >> GAVITO: ONE MORE QUICK QUESTION.
I THINK IF WE'RE THROUGH HAVING QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT TO RECYCLE, THERE'S PROBABLY A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE SAME WITH THE SAME QUESTIONS.
ANYTHING WE COULD DO TO CLARIFY THAT AND LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP SUPPORT YOU ALL, SHARING IN OUR NEWSLETTER, WE'RE YOUR ARMY OF ADVOCATES SO USE IT.
>> YOU KNOW, WE CAME THROWS TO BRINGING THE GAME OUT, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW HOW VERSED EVERYBODY WAS ON IT SO WE DIDN'T. THE ONE THAT WAS IN ONE OF THE PICTURES THAT THE KIDS -- REMEMBER, THEY ARE THE ONES THAT CAN TEACH US.
YOU ARE RIGHT, WE'LL WORK ON IT. >> I WILL SAY WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SCHEDULING OUR OUTREACH STAFF TO VISIT WITH YOUR STAFF TO TELL YOU ABOUT ALL OUR PROGRAMS WE HAVE. SO YES, WE WILL DEFINITELY MAKE OURSELVES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR OFFER BECAUSE WE DEFINITELY NEED TO GET THE WORD OUT TO TO
COMMUNITY. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU. WHAT I ENVISION IS LIKE US AS FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WITH THE BAGS. THIS IS OUR DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.
>> CASTILLO: ANYTHING ELSE, DAVID? >> NO.
>> CASTILLO: GREAT. WE CAN NOW CONCLUDE THE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.