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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved SWAG Meeting Summary 06 10 21 Approved January 31, 2022 Solid Waste Advisory Group Meeting Summary DATE: June 10, 2021 LOCATION: Virtual via Zoom MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioner Jean Hamilton, Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford, Council Member Randee Haven-O'Donnell, LTNC Healthcare Representative Dan Lehman, Mayor Lydia Lavelle, Mayor Pam Hemminger, Commissioner Robb English, Commissioner Matt Hughes MEMBERS ABSENT: Council Member Karen Stegman STAFF PRESENT: County Solid Waste Director Robert Williams, Chapel Hill Public Works Director Lance Norris, County Solid Waste Staff Bruce Woody, Andrew Martin, Blair Pollock, Cheryl Young, Kyra Levau, Nora Ketchie, Chapel Hill Public Works Staff Wendy Simmons, LTNC Staff Kristin Young Call to Order Approval of February 17th, 2021 Meeting Summary Approved CompostMates Hemminger states that it's great that you're educating people about compost while collecting it. Are you in contact with Hope Gardens, a UNC group that grows food for the shelters? Rowen states that they've had a few conversations and will be getting together next semester. Haven O'Donnell asks what else is being done in term of broadcasting and outreach so that neighbor in the off-campus community can not only learn but be engages about how they can get involved. Shubel states that the main form of community engagement is through social media. This first semester of operations we did try to limit our participants to off-campus UNC-CH students. Orange County Updates Solid Waste Master Plan Update Williams states that six proposals have been received and the committee is reviewing them. The objective is to gain Board approval in September or October 2021. Triangle Region Solid Waste Consortium Update Williams states that Holly Springs has joined the consortium. The Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough will be invited to future meetings and able to provide input. Recycling Collection for Towns Williams states that Orange County Solid Waste had previously been looking at moving urban collections in-house, but GFL lowered their terms so we will be continuing that contract until FY24. Future Meetings Format Hamilton proposes a discussion on whether to keep meetings remote, sometimes remote or go back to in-person meetings. Hemminger states that a mixture of both would be good. There are advantages and disadvantages for both. Hamilton states that a hybrid model may be preferable. One meeting could be held in person so there is an opportunity to meet everyone and then move to remote for convenience. Haven O'Donnell proposes to monitor the fall cold and flu season before scheduling in-person meetings. Hamilton states that there could be an in-person meeting in February, right after any new Board members. Lehman suggests that there be a hybrid approach where there is a mix of virtual and in-person for all meetings. Haven O'Donnell voices concern over the public's ability to participate virtually and would like to ensure that citizens are disadvantaged based on technology access. A third option, some are present at the Solid Waste office where the public is welcomed, and zoom is being utilized as well. Williams states that we can accommodate that option and advertise to the public via website, social media, email, and in-person at the Waste and Recycling Centers. Williams states that there is a long-time employee of Solid Waste has decided to hang his hat up and retire after 34 years. This gentleman is the epitome of recycling diversion- Blair Pollock Next Meeting Hamilton asks the group for confirmation from the group that the next meeting will be remote and take place next quarter, in September. Another discussion on future meeting format can take place once there is more information on the Solid Waste Master Plan. Young states that one of the first tasks in the SWMP is for the selected vendor to bring a public engagement plan to SWAG for approval before it is implemented. Hamilton asks for clarification on the timing of Board approval and the next SWAG meeting. Williams states that the timeline is vendor selection, Board approval of the contract, then SWAG approval of the community engagement plan. SWAG will be able to make adjustments, recommendations, and changes to the proposed community engagement plan. Hemminger states that the next SWAG meeting should not be scheduled until after the Board meeting. Other Comments Bedford asks Williams to explain the budget line-items for the compactor and Phase II of Landfill construction. Williams explains that the compactor is used for construction and demolition waste. Our current compactor is 14 years old and broken, and the quote to repair it is $42,000 with no guarantee it will extend its life. The request in the budget is to move the replacement of the compactor up by one year on the timeline so that we can get a new compactor in as soon as possible. It is important to conserve the Landfill's air space so that we can continue to accept additional materials. We are permitted to construct Phases II and III of the Construction and Demolition Landfill. We are only going to construct Phase II at this time because the recycling loading pad is inside the footprint of Phase III. Public Comment None Adjourn Meeting adjourned at: 7:52 pm Name of Minute Taker: Nora Ketchie