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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSWAB minutes 041102 Minutes~-Regular Meeting Solid Waste Advisory Board „ April 11 , 2002Y 2 Q Approved May 9, 2002 ' Attendance : Jacquie Gist, Jan Sassaman, Remus Smith, Bonnie Norwood , James Arndt, and Barry Jacobs Staff : Gayle Wilson, Blair Pollock, Phil Prete, and Wanda McCain 1 . Adoption of Minutes from March 14, 2002 Norwood moves to accept, 2nd by Smith . Passed unanimously . 2 . Local Government Budgeting Crisis Gist states that we are not sure how things are going to play out . The tipping fees affect the Carrboro budget more than the other jurisdictions . I know that the landfill reserves are spending down quickly and that we are possibly looking at availability fees (to finance recycling) . This item came up because of the need for the landfill to purchase equipment and how such expenses would affect each municipality . I know that we need to implement things soon and that in the long run it' s better to start now and spread expenses over several years . There may be a need to have a discussion among the boards and ourselves about if this is the best year to start that . Jacobs states that there will be a meeting where the commissioners will be voting on three personnel positions and buying some equipment to get the C &D recycling going . Gist asks what the impact would be on the budget or on the tax rate . Jacobs states that there shouldn' t be any impact because the money is coming from the landfill budget and not the general budget . Gist ask if that would raise landfill fees . Visser replies no . It is hard to ascribe any particular thing to the tipping fee increase, if there is one . Gist states that the major concern for us [Carrboro] is if there will be a tip fee increase, which would have a large impact on the tax rate . Wilson states that it' s not known what the tip fee will be yet . The acquisition of equipment and the multi-family recycling issues will not effect my recommended tip fee to the manager . When money is needed you don' t increase tip fee . 1 Minutes --Regular Meeting Solid Waste Advisory Board April 11 , 2002 Approved May 9, 2002 Sassaman restates Gist' s concerns about the budget crisis . If the budget will have to be increased for the landfill, when do we do that . If done now, there is an immediate impact on people when there is an economic crunch already . If we were to put it off, there may be a larger impact on individuals but it will hopefully be at a time when there aren' t other things pending economically . Jacobs states that if we are not aggressive about C &D that will be a cross [to bear ] because we didn' t act . We have already budgeted for this and to delay would be more expensive . I also met with the Mayors , and at the Assembly of Governments meeting it was suggested that we talk about our budget situations . To get a clearer picture it might help to hear what each jurisdiction is facing . Visser states that we are proposing to purchase some of the equipment over time through lease purchase ( or installment planning) . This will make a difference on how quickly we will need to draw out from the reserves . Wilson states that the new Carrboro recycling site could drain off several hundred tons of waste for which Carrboro wouldn' t have to pay the tipping fee next year . There is another municipality that has decided to get out of the commercial waste collection . Hillsborough has put their commercial waste collection out for bid with an exclusive franchise to protect the waste and make sure that it comes to our facility to help fund our programs . Sassaman states that if we are in a situation where municipalities are contracting out commercial waste and it is carried outside the county, along with it goes money . We are working on coming up with some base line information so that we can discuss some of the alternative financing issues so that we know what we will be dealing with . Norwood asks if Chapel Hill starts to charge double for collection if more people will start hauling their own garbage . Wilson states that what may happen is that private waste companies will come in and charge one fee to collect everything and take it to another waste facility . The Regulated Recycling Materials Ordinance will make that illegal . Some companies may come into town to look for the most lucrative accounts only and cherry -pick those, leaving the local government to collect the more expensive sites (such as restaurants) . 2 Minutes -- Regular Meeting Solid Waste Advisory Board April 11 , 2002 Approved May 9, 2002 3 . Regional Solid Waste Presentation to the Mayors of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh Pollock states the mayors of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary started meeting to find some common ground on transportation and water, and solid waste came along . Solid waste has been on and off the political agenda locally for years . Durham is out of the landfill business . Many counties have gotten out of the landfill business and we plan to get out in the next five years . It is time to start talking about the alternatives as local governments . There were three parts to the presentation . The first was to present a series of data . We showed who generates what waste, the waste per capita, and the total waste that would have been generated if we had made the reduction goals . There is some indication that the cites and counties [in the Triangle] are doing better than statewide . Waste has increased statewide 13 % , in the Triangle there' s a 2 % decrease . The municipalities generally led the way Only Cary [of all the governments in the Triangle] made its waste reduction goal and they had a goal only for residential waste . Orange County reduced waste about 37 % per capita over the 10 years that were measured . The real point with respect to the progress we ' ve made is that our heavy investment in recycling and waste reduction has paid off for this County . After this dose of sobering news we looked at what we ' ve done that' s good . We had each government put forward their best accomplishments in terms of waste reduction . We went from accomplishment to challenges . The action plan is to prepare a manual of best practices so that we all have something to contribute from our accomplishments . We were also asked to take a hard look at materials recovery facilities or other ways we can work together to manage our recyclables, compost facilities for organics management, and to look at long-term regional disposal capacity . Sassaman asks if any thought was given to looking at alternative ways of handling waste within the county besides landfilling . Pollock states that the only things that came up were materials recovery facility, composting, and long term regional secure disposal capacity . Incineration, plasma torch, and pyrolysis did not come up . 4 . Review of North Carolina ' s Annual Solid Waste Management Report 3 Minutes --Regular Meeting Solid Waste Advisory Board April 11 , 2002 Approved May 9, 2002 Pollock gave a summary of the State' s Annual solid waste management report and the Orange County waste reduction program . The key component of the State report is the fact that the amount of solid waste landfilled and incinerated per person in North Carolina increased from 1 . 08 tons per person in 1991 - 92 to 1 . 21 tons per person in 2000 - 01 . The state goal was to decrease the amount by 40 % during that time period . The State report puts forward several hypotheses about why waste increased despite the implementation of recycling and waste reduction programs throughout the State in the early 1990s, most of which have continued to this day . • Alternative Technologies such as incineration and mixed waste composting did not develop as anticipated . • Flow control, the ability of local governments to dictate where waste generated within their boundaries went, was declared unconstitutional in 1995 , thus private haulers were able to take the waste they collected wherever they chose and were not subject to local regulation and waste reduction efforts . • Statewide , the commitment to waste reduction has waned over the years . While goals remained, the public investment and commitment to meeting those goals generally were not made . • The cost of landfilling has not increased as projected, making the relative economics of alternative means of managing waste less attractive . • North Carolina' s healthy economic growth in the 1990s was accompanied by increases in retail sales of 30 % per capita ( adjusted for inflation) thus more waste was generated . • Construction boomed during this decade and its portion of the waste stream increased from 22 % to 29 % . While Orange County experienced about 26 % growth during the 1990s from a population of 93 , 000 to 118, 000 and growth in wealth and retail sales , our waste landfilled per capita declined . The County' s Solid Waste Management Department believes there are several causes for this : 4 Minutes - - Regular Meeting Solid Waste Advisory Board April 11 , 2002 Approved May 9, 2002 • The loss of 30 , 000 tons of UNC coal ash once sent to the landfill . • The implementation of a ban on landfilling non-residential corrugated cardboard in 1996 . • A long term commitment to county-wide recycling . Our level of program investment has increased over the years and is reflected in high rates of participation and diversion . • A long-term commitment to organics management and diversion . • An evolving program to reduce construction and demolition waste . • Ongoing education and outreach on solid waste and recycling . Having a dedicated position for education and outreach and a strong supporting budget for advertising, printing and staffing of local events enables Orange County to constantly keep waste reduction and recycling in the public eye . Orange County has raised the bar for waste reduction per capita from the State goal of 40 % to 61 % due to the coal ash factor and our own ambition to reduce waste remaining without coal ash by 50 % , not 40 % . 5 . Services & Program Update Rogers Road Meeting zvith County Staff re : Financing of zc )ater line connection/availability fees Norwood gives a recap of the meeting . Many people [from the Rogers Road neighborhood] were upset because they were not contacted about the meeting . There was discussion about reports that after hooking up to OWASA supplied water, some faucets were blown because there wasn' t a pressure reducing gauge installed . There were also concerns about the extension of the loan . OWASA informed me that the loan could be extended from 3 to 5 years which would make it more feasible for people . Spoke with Chapel Hill plumbing inspector and he is willing to pay for pressure testing . We were told to go ahead and do the paperwork so the County would have the statistics to work with to determine who would be elegible . I had suggested each road figure out how many people live there In addition, after paying all the fees , the plumbers and getting the $ 75 device there also a $30 connection fee . 5 Minutes --Regular Meeting Solid Waste Advisory Board April 11 , 2002 Approved May 9, 2002 Sassaman states what he got from the meeting was a sense of mis information and fuzzy concepts of what' s going there . The offer of Tara Fikes [Orange County housing] to bring the operation to the community was a great idea in helping people go through the process . Visser states that OWASA deserves a lot of credit for coming to the meeting . Greg Feller [OWASA public relations staff] has been great throughout the project in sharing information . Gist suggests that the SWAB sends a " Thank You" letter to the OWASA staff . Jacobs states that we talked about a " How to " list for the homeowners and after the staff works on it this board could take a look at it . The reason that a lot of people didn' t know about the meeting was because the addresses were wrong . That is correctable and in subsequent meetings we will try to get the information out better . The other thing that was notable at the meeting was the mention of compensation and that it sounds like a lot of people would not qualify . We budgeted a certain amount of money that we thougllt would go toward grants , if it turns out that we are not reaching that many people then maybe we need to have a [sliding] scale of grants . Sassaman states that what he understood what Jacobs was trying to convey at the meeting was what the Commissioners were trying to do was accommodate about 80 % of the total expense and that the formula could be re -hought if it turned out that the bar was set too high . Norwood states that another thing that was brought up was that in other areas where water and sewer have gone into a neighborhood, the [water] companies let them know if they hooked up early they could pay a reduced price . People were wondering why that didn' t fit in with this project . Sassaman states that one of the basic costs is a fixed cost from OWASA that would only change if your house is smaller . Jacobs states there' s a limited signup period after which there won' t be any grant available . That is the incentive to sign up soon, you' re eligible for the grants . Other places subsume part of the cost of the hookup in their general fund which we don' t do . One other thing that may have an effect is that there may be sewer lines running 6 Minutes - - Regular Meeting Solid Waste Advisory Board April 11 , 2002 Approved May 9, 2002 in this neighborhood too that may be reasonably accessible . There ' s going to be an engineering feasiblity study and we (the BOCC) should ask that study to include the feasibility of people who already live there to access the potential lines we may be putting in the Green Tract which is north/ northeast of the neighborhood . Gist snakes a motion that the SWAB sends a " Thank You " letter to OWASA Arndt 2nd - Passes unanimously 6 . Services & Program Update Compttter Recycling - April 27 - Pollock states that there is a lot of old obsolete dead computer equipment including monitors that don' t meet the TCLP tests when crushed . The collection contractor we are working with will also take other things like cell phones , radios, stereo receivers, CD players , copiers , and scanners but no televisions . For those they don' t come on April 27, we will do it again July 27 . We are hoping that those that do not come won' t come the next day and leave their equipment at the park and ride lot . There is an interesting piece of state legislation that is getting formulated now that is putting an advanced disposal fee on computers, monitors, and televisions to pay for this stuff in the future . In the fall we plan to have a permanent site for collection . Gist asks about televisions . Pollock states that the TV part has not been worked out yet . They present just as much or more of a hazard but we don' t have the wherewithal to handle them . Gist ask what does one do with TVs . Pollocks replies to hold on to them until we have the funding to take TVs . Norwood states that she would be glad to call the veterans to have them come pick up TVs . I worked for them many years ago and they would pick them up for free . Wilson asks if they only wanted them if they worked . Norwood replies at the time it didn' t matter because they wanted them for parts . 7 Minutes --Regular Meeting Solid Waste Advisory Board April 11 , 2002 Approved May 9, 2002 Wilson states that the parts that aren' t used are then thrown into Durham' s transfer station and shipped to a Virginia landfill . Carrboro Plaza Recycling Site Development - Wilson states the site is over 95 % complete . We have scheduled a grand opening for 1pm on April 22, 2002 . Mayor Nelson and Barry Jacobs have agreed to come and officially christen the site . We will be putting out a press release close to the event and will wait until Sunday before placing the containers so that it will not get trashed . Gist states that Alan Spalt will also be attending because he as been so instrumental in re - developing the site . Pollock states that we want everyone to turn in illegal dumpers from that site because that [illegal dumping] is what got us thrown out the first time . Visser ask if there is a video surveillance camera going in . Wilson states that that was part of the original plan but we are not responsible for installing that and is unsure of the status . 6 . Other Business EPA Satellite Forum at UNC — May 1 - Pollock states the EPA office of solid waste often puts on televised satellite forums . This one is called " Community Setting Trends On Waste Prevention and Recycling"' . It has some of the nation' s experts in recycling and waste reduction . Everyone is invited . First come, first serve up to 50 people . Tozcm of Carrboro — SWAB Membership Vacancy - Wilson asks if anyone knows the status of the vacancy . Gist states that she doesn' t know why there is a vacancy but if anyone knows of anyone that is willing to serve we would welcome the application . It may also be good to have application available at the Carrboro events like Carrboro Day or Fourth of July . Pollock states that we can do that . Resoliction on MticltiFanzily Recycing - Sassaman states that the handout is just a copy of the signed resolution supporting the Solid Waste Management Department' s 8 Minutes --Regular Meeting Solid Waste Advisory Board April 11 , 2002 Approved May 9, 2002 assumption of the multifamily collection services that was approved at the last meeting . Resolution on Memo regarding Reserves — Tabled - Sassaman states that a resolution was also voted on at the last meeting regarding reserves . We tabled the discussion and the follow up was to work with Gayle to get something . Due to scheduling problems this item has been tabled . " Life After Carbone ' - Sassaman states that this handout is an article for funding alternatives for solid waste . You can read this at your leasure . Wilson states that Hillsborough is bidding out exclusive rights on their commercial collection . I had mentioned previously that the Solid Waste Department is considering making a bid . We are trying to generate some revenue . I think we can be competitive and make about $25 , 000 for the fund with the Commissioners approval . Norwood asks if you are awarded the contract what route would you take . Wilson states that I haven' t thought that out yet because I ' ve been mainly thinking about pounds per cubic yard and cost of service . Is there a follow-up Norwood states that people may have a problem on the way that you go . Wilson states that if we are awarded the contract we will take Old 86 to 1 .40 to New 86 to Eubanks Rd . Using this route will minimize the amount of houses passed . Smith states that the report given to TJ COG is impressive . There is one thing that strikes me . It looks like Orange, Wake, Chatham, and Durham Counties are not leaking any preparations for the future . What are we going to do 6 years from now ? It seems that Durham and Orange counties need to get together . Jacobs states that we set up a lunch with the mayor and manager of Durham and we are going to talk about water and solid waste . Smith states that is a. good start . Adjourned : 8 : 35 pm Next meeting : May 9 , 2002 Government Services Center Hillsborough 9