HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-03-2014 - 7e1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 3, 2014
SUBJECT: Proposal to Create a Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG)
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Task Force Composition
Action Agenda
Item No. 7 -e
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Board of County Commissioners, 919 -245-
2130
PURPOSE: To consider creating a multijurisdictional task force of one year's duration to
articulate, investigate, and propose collaborative solutions for solid waste issues confronting
Orange County; the towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough; and the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
BACKGROUND: Per the BOCC discussion at the May 13 work session, it is being proposed to
create a multijurisdictional task force of one year's duration (from the date of the first SWAG
meeting) to articulate, investigate, and propose collaborative solutions for solid waste issues
confronting Orange County; the towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough; and the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The proposed task force, called the Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG), would consist of 12
members: eight (8) elected officials consisting of two (2) each from the County and each of the
towns; two (2) from the University of North Carolina; and two residents at- large. Each elected
body would select its own representatives, as would the University. The Solid Waste Advisory
Group will select the two public representatives at its initial meeting from among applications
solicited by the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners' Office.
Staff from each jurisdiction, from the University, from state government, and from private waste
vendors already operating in Orange County will be called upon to provide expertise as needed.
The charge to the group at the outset is to define the nature, scope, and timing of the solid
waste issues to be considered, including but not limited to-
* an interlocal agreement on solid waste;
• reducing solid waste that is not recycled;
• recycling opportunities and services;
• siting a transfer station or landfill within the county;
• supporting public education on solid waste issues;
• construction and demolition waste;
• assuring long -term partnership of the entities involved through an interlocal agreement
on waste handling and disposal;
• addressing equitable funding and mechanisms for establishing fees and making future
joint decisions;
• future use of closed landfill sites;
• investigation of partnership possibilities involving neighboring jurisdictions;
• feasibility of innovative and cost - effective, environmentally -sound methods of disposal
of solid waste beyond burial;
• potential inclusion of biosolids in long -range disposal plans;
• emergency storm debris planning
• treatment of communities impacted by siting of any facilities either within Orange
County or beyond its borders to receive shipments of waste.
An interim report from the SWAG would be scheduled for the November 20, 2014 Assembly of
Governments meeting. At that time short -term and long -term policy objectives and preliminary
options and considerations would be articulated. Approval would be sought at that meeting to
proceed on a course and within a reasonable timeframe agreed upon by the parties involved.
Plans would coordinate with each government's budget process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: To be determined.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board:
1) consider creating a multijurisdictional task force of one year's duration to articulate,
investigate, and propose collaborative solutions for solid waste issues confronting
Orange County; the towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough; and the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill;
2) plan to make BOCC appointments to the task force at the Board's June 17, 2014 regular
meeting; and
3) solicit other representatives from the other jurisdictions, the University and the public
over the summer break.
Position
Special Representation
Appointee /Designee
Number
1
Orange County
Commissioner (1)
2
Orange County
Commissioner 1
3
Chapel Hill Town Council
Member (1)
4
Chapel Hill Town Council
Member (1)
5
Carrboro Board of
Aldermen Member(1)
6
Carrboro Board of
Aldermen Member(1)
7
Hillsborough Board of
Commissioners Member
(1)
8
Hillsborough Board of
Commissioners Member
(1)
9
UNC Representatives (2)
10
11
Orange County Residents
— At Large (2)
12