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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-18-1999 - 1ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 18, 1999 Action Agenda Item No. ~ SUBJECT: Solid Waste Management Issues DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/1~ BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/1~ = ATTACHMENT(S): As listed in body of abstract INFORMATION CONTACT: John Link or Rod Visser, ext 2300 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To continue the Board's discussion from its December 8, 1998 work session on solid waste matters, and to provide direction to staff on next steps regarding the future management of solid waste operations in Orange County and its municipalities. BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners made substantial and important progress at its December 8, 1998 work session, but was unable to fully address all solid waste issues on the agenda that evening. This work session provides an opportunity to complete discussion on those issues, and to discuss (as time permits) additional information that has become available since early December. The following discussion topics are suggested in priority order, with background materials (where pertinent) for each topic listed in italics. As the Board considers the possible assumption by the County of overall solid waste management responsibility, it may be helpful to consider a focus on how the County might assume all current operations using all current revenue sources. As time permits, the Board could also discuss the new/additional facilities and revenue sources that are being considered by the Landfill Owners' Group and its member governments. 1. County Proposal for Assumption of Overall Solid Waste Management Responsibil~ Following the December 8 work session, the Chair wrote to the mayors and transmitted the County's current proposal for assuming solid waste oversight. The Towns have not yet provided a formal response. Copies of Carrboro's and Chapel Hill's most recent correspondence on the subject are included for reference. Related Documents • Attachment 1- 12/15/98 Letter from Chair to Mayors, including "Principles for Assuming Responsibility for Solid. Waste Management" • Attachment 2 -12/8/98 Letter from Mayor Waldorf, with 12/7/98 Chapel Hill Town Council Resolution • Attachment 3 - 9/22/98 Letter from Mayor Nelson 2. Outstandin Ig ssues The Board may wish to discuss any additional information needed and/or indicate agreement in principle that Orange County will assume overall responsibility for solid waste management. 2 3. Timetable/Milestones Staff has prepared a draft of some of the major tasks that would need to be accomplished in a transition between Chapel Hill and Orange County solid waste operations. A necessary precursor to the transition effort would be a signed interlocal agreement between the County and its municipal partners that would bind all parties in a long-term commitment to an economically viable solid waste management enterprise. While the time required to carry out the transition plan could vary depending on workload and other major projects, the general assumption underlying the timetable is that County oversight of solid waste could be undertaken within six months of the adoption by all parties of an interlocal agreement. Staff will respond to the Board's questions on this topic. Related Documents • Attachment 4 - 2/18/99 Draft Timetable/Milestones 4. Completion of Interlocal Agreement The Board may wish to discuss/confirm a process for re-engaging and fmalizing the solid waste management interlocal agreement. The Chapel Hill Town Council has suggested (see Attachment 2) that "the partners set up a work group composed of the Mayors and Chair or other single representatives chosen by the governing bodies, and the Managers to negotiate the revision of the eighth draft of the Interlocal Agreement... ". A meeting of such a group was tentatively scheduled for February 16, but has been postponed pending~the discussion at this BOCC work session. Related Documents • Attachment 5 -10/7/97 Draft of "Interlocal Agreement Concerning Solid Waste Management Matters " • Attachment 6 - 2/1/99 Memo from Mayor Waldorf, "Completing the Interlocal Agreement on Solid Waste Management for Orange County" 5. Alternative Financing Mechanisms Since Spring of 1998, this subcommittee has met regularly to discuss the options for ensuring that adequate revenues will be in place to develop and operate the facilities and programs necessary to achieve the waste reduction goals laid out in the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan. There has been extensive discussion about the possible use of availability fees to finance most or all of the recycling and waste reduction programs, but the Committee has not reached a point where it is ready to recommend the use of that specific mechanism. Background materials from the Committee's most recent meeting are included for the Board's information. The Committee requested that each governing board review and comment on option III, namely that each jurisdiction would take responsibility for establishing and implementing its own revenue mechanism(s) for its share of recycling and waste reduction programs. The next meeting of this group will be scheduled pending the LOG's receipt of comments from the member governments. The Town of Hillsborough has submitted its comments (see Attachment 8). Related Documents Attachment 7 -11/24/98 Gayle Wilson Memo, "Availability Fees and Other Financing Mechanisms " Attachment 8 -1/27/99 Memo from Hillsborough Board of Commissioners, "Comments on Solid Waste/Recycling Funding Alternatives " 6. Construction & Demolition Siting Options The LOG and its member governments have been deliberating about the need for certain new or replacement solid waste management facilities, and their possible location, timing, and sequencing. County and LOG staff have examined options that could be considered to extend, for a few years at least, a construction and demolition disposal capability at Eubanks Road. LOG staff have also examined other potential C&D disposal sites that have recently been identified elsewhere in the County. An LOG subcommittee, which includes the Chair, Vice-Chair, and County Manager, is analyzing the options and preparing recommendations for the LOG's consideration. Related Documents Attachment 9 - 12/10/98 Gayle Wilson Memo, "Additional C&D Disposal Options" 7. Materials Recovery Facility The LOG and member government representatives received presentations on January 14, 1999 and February 11, 1999 concerning issues related to the siting, sizing, ownership, operations, financing, timing, etc. of a materials recovery facility (MRF). That facility is a cornerstone of the current integrated solid waste management plan and is seen as essential to the achievement of the solid waste reduction goals of 45% by the year 2001 and 61% by the year 2006. The LOG has scheduled a work session completely devoted to MRF issues for Thursday, February 25. If time permits, the Board may wish to review or discuss some of the material prepared by RRSI, the LOG consultants for MRF development options. Related Documents Attachment 10 - 2/11/99 Memo from Gayle Wilson, "Presentation on Materials Recovery Facility" (extract from 2/11/99 LOG agenda) 8. Other Solid Waste Issues The Board may wish to discuss other related topics not specifically listed in this abstract. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss the various solid waste management issues and provide direction to staff as appropriate.