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Home My WebLink AboutSWAG minutes 013017DRAFT Solid Waste Advisory Group Meeting Summary DATE: January 30, 2017 LOCATION: Solid Waste Administration Training Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Carrboro Alderman Randee Haven - O'Donnell, Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle, Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger, Hillsborough Commissioner Mark Bell, Hillsborough Commissioner Brian Lowen, Orange County Commissioner Barry Jacobs, Orange County Commissioner Penny Rich, and UNC- Chapel Hill Representative Matt Fajack MEMBERS ABSENT: UNC - Chapel Hill Representative Brad Ives, Chapel Hill Councilmember Michael Parker and UNC Health Chapel Hill Representative Melvin Hurston STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, OC Chief Financial Officer Gary Donaldson, Carrboro Public Works Director JD Freeman, Hillsborough Public Works Director Ken Hines, Chapel Hill Public Works Director Lance Norris, Chapel Hill Solid Waste Wendy Simmons, UNC -CH Solid Waste Program Manager BJ Tipton, OC Solid Waste Management Director Gayle Wilson, OC Solid Waste Gordon Dively, OC Solid Waste Allison Lohrenz, OC Solid Waste Cheryl Young, OC Solid Waste Wanda McCain, OC Solid Waste Kate Glass, OC Solid Waste Alex Gottschalk Call to Order Meeting Summary approval • November 3, 2016 Meeting Summary approved subject to edits by Barry Jacobs Inter -local Initiatives Update — Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager a) Inter -local agreement for Solid Waste Management • Hammersley indicated she will meet with managers after receiving direction from this group based on the scenario proposals discussed in next agenda item. • The inter -local agreement will be reviewed with a goal of having an inter -local agreement in place by July 1, 2017. b) Transfer Station Planning • Jacobs stated that social justice issues should be considered at the receiving community. He asked Wilson to locate social justice statements used in the CD Task Force about 15 years ago. Jacobs indicated to Hammersley, it will be important to articulate social justice is significant to OC when considering waste disposal sites. OC might want to consider contributions beyond "tipping fee ". • Wilson indicated if OC operates the TS we control the choice in the final disposition site; could visit the area /disposition site and can include Social Justice elements in the bid package. • Wilson will confirm the current disposal site for the OC solid waste delivered to the Durham TS. • Hemminger asked if OC can look at the waste stream at the disposal site. Contractors know OC doesn't monitor for recyclable materials in the waste stream at Durham TS. • Wilson indicated if we operate the TS we will have the ability to monitor waste stream. DRAFT Financial Plan — Fee Options & Recommendations — Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager and Gary Donaldson, County Chief Financial Officer • Hammersley presented two scenarios for solid waste funding over a 5 year period and both are multifaceted. 4.4 million dollar fund balance available with the goal to reduce structural deficit. Both scenarios assume 1.6% annual growth, 1.1% parcel growth and no new programs added. $2 million dollar solid waste fund subsidy by the general fund in both scenarios. • Scenario 1 heavier use of the fund on front end and moves toward stability; Scenario 2 just uses the 2M and breaks it down so the rate doesn't change in years 1 and 2 because there is an increase that offsets any non - recurring items that have been projected so there is some debt service and non- recurring increases, usually capital that we don't finance • Current program fee is $107. • Hemminger asked for confirmation that the 4.4. million fund balance is earning interest over time since we would be spending the money up front and that would reduce this fund significantly. Hammersley indicated that fund is earning interest as well as the reserve fund. Hemminger asked that the different overall interest income between the two scenarios be calculated before this is discussed. • Hammersley indicated this is a 5 year outlook and we will reevaluate every year; we hope to see changes but TS doesn't bring in much revenue and we have to charge tipping fees. • Indicated BOCC policy for all funds, including General fund reserve, is 17% reserved. • Wilson indicated there are programs to provide relief maintained at tax office, similar to application for tax relief and included in annual tax bill. Wilson indicated it is used. • Hemminger had concerns about market stability; fee should be realistic maybe higher than indicated in either scenario. It is a bigjump from 107 to 130. Tax bills will be increasing too. Are we keeping residents informed? • Hammersley indicated on 2/7/17 re- evaluation will be presented to BOCC and on 2/24/17 bills mailed. Anticipate an active response from residents due to increases. A communication plan to assist BOCC working with constituents and informing public is being developed. • Hemminger requested a formal presentation. Hammersley indicated Duane Brinson will be available for a presentation after 2/7/17 when he addresses BOCC. • Jacobs reminded the group a decision is not required tonight; scenarios will be presented to managers first for discussion. • Lavelle voiced concern with cushioning this change and tax bill. • Jacobs hope we have picked our scenario in April or May so this can be presented to constituents and demonstrate that we are working to provide a more sustainable system and that this plan works best for towns and county to take care of our waste. • Hemminger states it would be better to meet our costs with the parcels and we need to meet our true costs. Jacobs adds that we could divide annual cost and per month cost as realistic for residents. Recyclable Materials Relative Value and Marketing — Muriel Williman, County Educational & Outreach Coordinator Hemminger indicated this would be a great presentation for the schools for the AP programs or Environmental Science programs. Williman responded she is happy to be a resource for the schools and she can reach out to the schools. Jacobs advised since all the information items are included in the packet and if there are no questions we can move forward to the last presentation. DRAFT Solid Waste Observations from Boulder, Colorado Visit — Allison Lohrenz, County Recycling Programs Manager • Group acknowledged need to encourage businesses to tell their recycling /solid waste minimization stories. • Wilson we do provide stories in our annual newsletters and we can look at other outlets. Public Comment -None Next Meeting- Next meeting date to be held in March 2017 Meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm Name of Minute Taker: Kate Glass