HomeMy WebLinkAboutSWAG Meeting Summary 082322 Approved January 31 , 2023
Solid Waste Advisory Group Meeting Summary
DATE: August 23, 2022
LOCATION: Solid Waste Administration Training Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: County Commissioner Jean Hamilton, County Commissioner Jamezetta
Bedford, Carrboro Council Member Randy Haven-O'Donnell, Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils,
Hillsborough Commissioner Rob English, Hillsborough Commissioner Matt Hughes, Chapel Hill
Council Mayor Pam Hemminger
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: County Solid Waste Director Robert Williams, County Solid Waste Assistant
Director Bruce Woody, Chapel Hill Public Works Director Lance Norris, Chapel Hill Public Works
Staff Wendy Simmons, Carrboro Interim Public Works Director Daniel Snipes, Carrboro Public
Works Staff Kristen Benoit, Carrboro Town Manager Richard White, County Staff: Cheryl
Young, Matt Baskerville, Caroline Hausler and Wanda McCain
GBB Staff: Chris Lund, Jennifer Porter, Rachel del Campo Gatewood and Hollie Adams
Call to Order
Approval of January 31, 2022 Meeting Summary— Approved
GBB — SW Master Plan Presentation — Community Engagement
Hemminger asks are you looking in central Chapel Hill. The library is the most used facility that
most people can get to on the eastern part of town. The RENA center is also a good location.
Just want to make sure there are sites inside of Chapel Hill because the ones picked are
outside of Chapel Hill.
del Campo Gatewood states we will reach out to the staff of the library. We want to have the
meetings where it's easily accessible to people. The libraries are also the place where there will
be handouts and posters and people will have access to computers.
Hemminger states another possible location is a church in Southern Village. I'm unsure of the
name, but will get it and add it in the chat.
Haven-O'Donnell states the Century Center in Carrboro would be a good location.
Hamilton states that you all are the professionals, it would be helpful to have non-professionals
look at the questions.
del Campo Gatewood suggests that a sub-committee or SWAG could review the survey to
make sure the language speaks to the people.
Haven-O'Donnell asks will the surveys be multilingual.
del Campo Gatewood replies yes, however, it has not been narrowed down to how many and
exactly which languages.
Hughes states that as part of the outreach the surveys should be sent out to media outlets such
as the Daily Tarheel and WCHL which are not listed in the document. One thing that's effective
is how the communication officers for all our local governments have worked together to include
each other's information. Also, broadening the information placement to government buildings
where people pay their taxes, water bills could be helpful. Should also consider providing
interpreters at outreach listening sessions and include ASL.
Approved January 31 , 2023
del Campo Gatewood states that all communication will go through the Solid Waste team.
Hamilton asks how will tracking of how well you are doing on the community engagement piece
take place - how many people, the places, the difficulties.
del Campo Gatewood states that there are frequent progress meetings with Solid Waste staff
where we share information. We are open to suggestions.
Young states that the survey should include what groups are participating. We should be able
to see every week where things are. If there are shortages, we will work with other agencies to
make the correction.
Williams states that once the information comes in, we will also let SWAG know if there is a
shortage because you all may have another idea for outreach.
Hamilton asks how many weeks is the survey.
Porter replies it's a 12 week period, mid-October to mid-January
Operational Updates
Recycling Drop-off Site Replacement
Simmons states that the Chapel Hill Transit Director, Brian Litchford, is working with the Town
attorney to look at the contract for the Jones Ferry Park & Ride lot to see what options are
available to adjust the agreement to allow a recycling drop-off site.
Haven-O'Donnell asks is the Jones Ferry lot an addition to one that has been identified in
Chapel Hill.
Simmons replies this is an additional site located in Carrboro not Chapel Hill. I don't know of
any other sites that have been identified in Chapel Hill.
Hemminger states that there hasn't been much squawking since the site left University Place.
Most people are using Cedar Falls or the Meadowmont locations. We have been looking for a
location but haven't had much luck finding a replacement in that same area.
Bradshaw/Ferguson Waste & Recycling Center Consolidation
Williams states that we are moving forward with OWASA to purchase property for a new
consolidated site
Urban Recycling-FY25
Williams states that the urban collection contract for urban recycling collection ends with Fiscal
year 2025. We are looking at options which include bringing the service in-house to have Solid
Waste staff provide collection.
Orange County Recycling Star Program Update
Haven-O'Donnell asks is there a video of what goes in the recycling bin. Carrboro could put on
their website what it looks like to successfully recycle.
Young replies no we have not done a video. This is very labor intensive.
Haven-O'Donnell asks where Carrboro is on the schedule.
Young replies we are not doing the urban routes at this time because our drivers don't service
that area.
Haven-O'Donnell suggest working with the schools to make videos or social media with
students to get the message out.
Next Meeting
Williams states that after the surveys have been completed, we can come back to discuss.
Public comment
None
Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at:7:40pm
Name of Minute Taker: Wanda McCain