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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSWAG minutes 012915Approved February 13, 2015 2 Solid Waste Advisory Group Meeting Summary DATE: January 29, 2015 LOCATION: Solid Waste Administration Training Room MEMBERS PRESENT: UNC- Chapel Hill Representative Matt Fajack, Hillsborough Commissioner Kathleen Ferguson, Carrboro Alderman Randee Haven- O'Donnell, UNC - Healthcare Representative Mel Hurston, Orange County Commissioner -Chair Barry Jacobs, Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt, Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle, Hillsborough Commissioner Brian Lowen, Orange County Commissioner Penny Rich, Chapel Hill Councilmember Jim Ward MEMBERS ABSENT: none STAFF PRESENT: OC Solid Waste Rafael Baptista, OC Solid Waste Eric Gerringer, County Manager Bonnie Hammersley, Hillsborough Public Works Director Ken Hines, OC Solid Waste Jennie Knowlton, County Attorney John Roberts, Chapel Hill Public Works Director Lance Norris, OC Solid Waste Blair Pollock, Carrboro Public Works Director George Seiz, Chapel Hill Solid Waste Wendy Simmons, OC Solid Waste Paul Spire, UNC -CH Solid Waste Program Manager BJ Tipton, OC Solid Waste Management Director Gayle Wilson, OC Solid Waste Kristina Witosky, Assistant County Manager Cheryl Young Meeting Summary approval • November 12, 2014 Meeting Summary approved Solid Waste Programs Fee Legal Perspective • John Roberts states that counties do not have the same authority as municipalities. Towns specifically have authority to require their residents to participate in solid waste /recycling collection programs and pay a fee whether they participate or not. Prior to August, counties could charge a fee to residents that voluntarily use the service. In August 2014, General Assembly amended county statutory authority for waste collection /availability /use fees. Does not affect towns' authority. County has authority, within jurisdiction, to raise fees for waste collection within the jurisdiction. Fees cannot be used for General Fund services /operations, limited to waste management programs • Kleinschmidt asks if County will impose fees for non - incorporated area, while towns will impose fees within towns' jurisdictions • Roberts states that towns can adopt a county program and enforce, but a county cannot impose fees within the towns' jurisdiction without the towns' approval Solid Waste Convenience Center and Recycling Funding Options Staff Report • County will submit budget next month, make changes after Funding Option decision has been made by the boards Wilson reviews SWCC and Recycling Funding Options • SW Funding Option 91 ■ 3% yearly increase for four years, including possible growth • SW Funding Option 92 • SW Funding Option 93 • Would need to expand this option to I I total categories • Tax billing will be challenging if approved after May I • Administration effort may be doubled Approved February 13, 2015 3 • SW Funding Option 44 ■ There is value in right to access; ability to use Convenience Center when needed may have value not reflected in costs based primarily on frequency of use ■ 3% yearly increase for four years, including possible growth • Generally, rural fees are higher because they include significantly more (2/3) of Convenience Center expenses • Ward asks if any of the Options include UNC and /or UNC Healthcare • Wilson states that they do not. Different from residential and commercial currently served • BJ Tipton states that UNC -owned single - family residences, leased out for university families, pay fees and receive service • For Options including phased expansion (gland 44), County would expand current program, acquiring two additional trucks and drivers • Survey currently being conducted at SWCCs, tentatively to be completed by early March Update on Fees Charged by Other Counties • Pollock reviews research for county availability fees • No two fee systems are exactly the same. No fee system seems to be "best" • Orange County has approximately 700 low - income homeowner fee exemptions supported by General Fund SWAG Fee Recommendation and Boards /Council Decision - Making Process • SWAG supports Option #1 and Option 94 • Share funding recommendation made at March 6"' SWAG meeting at respective board meetings before a joint meeting of all four boards to be held on March 26th Other 24 -Hour Recycling Drop -off Site Tonnages Update Urban Curbside Program Tonnage Update Next Meetings o February 13, 2015 @ 6pm • Discuss incorporating UNC and UNC - Healthcare into solid waste system • Choose short-term goals for SWAG and type of Solid Waste Agreement • Decide on future of SWAG, possibility of involving the public o March 6, 2015 @ 6pm • Review SWCC survey • Make decision on Fee Recommendation for March 26"' Joint Meeting 7,000 rural roll carts are being distributed. 116 households have been added to waitlist. Rural curbside tonnage is expected to increase Public Comments Terri Buckner, Orange County resident, encourages SWAG to recommend Option 94. Rural residents have valid objections to usage fee, as stated at Public Hearings. Option 94 will increase participation and decrease objections Meeting adjourned at: 7:45pm Name of Minute Taker: Jennie Knowlton