HomeMy WebLinkAboutSWAG quick report 121212Quick Report
FROM: Name of Advisory Board: Solid Waste Advisory Board
SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting
DATE: December 12. 2012
LOCATION: Sold Waste Administration Building 1207 Eubanks Road Chapel Hill
______________________________________________________________________
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jan Sassaman, Chair & Chapel Hill Rep., Remus Smith, Hillsborough
Liaison, Jim Ward, Chapel Hill Rep. and Town Council Member, BJ Tipton UNC liaison
MEMBERS ABSENT: none: NOTE, Steve Yuhasz is no longer on County Board and the Board
has not appointed a new liaison.
.
STAFF PRESENT: Gayle Wilson, Blair Pollock, Cody Marshall, Jennie Knowlton, Cody
Marshall, Paul Spire, Wendy Simmons, Chapel Hill Sanitation Services Director
VACANCIES: Carrboro (2), Hillsborough (1) and Orange County (2)
_____________________________________________________________________
Beginning time of meeting: 7pm December 12, 2012
Old Business: None
New Business: None
Approved November 2012 minutes 3-0.
Detailed discussion of results of adoption of Town Council Resolution of December 3 on Solid
Waste Issues based on SCS comprehensive study including:
• budget amendments needed for purchasing new garbage trucks capable of transporting
more waste longer distances than the current fleet
• transporting waste to Waste Industries Transfer Station beginning April 2013, developing
a new interlocal agreement for recycling and organics between the governments
• discussion of possible transfer station site on Millhouse Road on Town-owned property;
and
• discussionof other issues in the Solid Waste Consultant’s study for Town of Chapel Hill.
Town staff noted that the town manager indicated to them they are to work with county staff to
develop; new ILA per the resolution. County staff noted they have been given no time line or
specific ‘green light’ for this type work.
Council member Ward noted that there was unanimity at the Assembly of Governments on
continuing to work together on recycling. No definitive process for writing the agreement has yet
been developed. Wilson notes that a very simple ILA could result in a short term for recycling
and organics, leaving other matters of mutual interest to be considered later. That way roll carts
could be purchased by all the municipalities with some available state grant money up to $75,000
per municipality to help with cart purchases in conjunction with the County. Marshall responds
to a question stating that recycling roll carts could be implemented in early fall if ILA were
complete in April.
2
Simmons indicated there would be additional review of transfer station site on Millhouse and a
discussion ensued about potential for community opposition and Ward suggested specific and
detailed community education around what a transfer station is and how it functions and how
much traffic would likely be generated. Garbage trucks would not be travelling down Millhouse
Road to access the transfer station, especially if it were limited to Chapel Hill and Carrboro
waste.
There was discussion of the use of funds generated from the $5/ton surcharge on municipal solid
waste instituted by the County in July 2011 and that funds were used only for waste clean-up and
provision of public water service; it was determined by the County Attorney that they could not
be used for other purposes such as sewers. It is assumed that unused funds would be returned to
the Solid Waste Reserve Fund.
Program and Services Updates:
Walnut Grove Church Road Convenience Center construction is going well with some recent
delays because of rain. The manager has suggested that the Eubanks Road Convenience Center
site be next in conjunction with a revised master plan for the whole landfill site.
The BOCC approved two new emergency storm debris sites, one at former Blackwood Farm on
Millhouse Road and one at Mincey Road north plus the existing sites at the landfill.
Spire noted UNC’s new generator was delivered to Chapel Hill North site and should start
making electricity from landfill gas next month.
Pollock reported on the November 17 Electro-Junk Dump held for downtown and Carrboro
businesses in honor of America Recycles Day. Five businesses and four residents delivered over
200 pounds of electronics, fluorescent lamps and other reusable or recyclable materials to the
temporary site at West Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill.
Adjourned 8:40pm