Minutes - 20071207 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Foushee asked about the criteria used to address environmental justice concerns or considerations. Jeff Crate said that they would work with the Board of County Commissioners and they may have recommendations, but it is what the Board wants that gets factored in. He said that the important thing is to always remain objective with ample opportunities for effective public input. Commissioner Jacobs asked how important it was to locate a transfer station near the center of waste generation. Jeff Crate said that Chapel Hill is the major population center. From a carbon footprint standpoint, if the transfer station were located far west of the County, the street collection vehicles would have to be modified since it would take longer to get to the transfer station. He thinks that this issue should weigh in heavily. Lynn Klappich said that the further you are from your waste, the less control you have over how the waste gets there. She is in favor of placing the facility closer to the waste generation, but it may not be important to the Board because of other factors. Chair Carey made reference to the use of numerical criteria for screening/siting versus general criteria for screening/siting and asked about the public's perspective on the general criteria. Lynn Klappich said that she has done it both ways and numerical causes more questions. She said that this process is only as good as the group is clear. Commissioner Gordon asked the question, "How critical is having public water and sewer available. If critical, what are the implications/consequences of not having it? and, If the preferred site(s) are located where public water and sewer are not available, how (measures/mechanisms) will the transfer station obtain water pressure necessary for effective wash down? Environmentally sound waste water treatment?" Lynn Klappich said that public water and sewer is nice, but it is not absolutely critical. Sewer is more troublesome than water because it must be treated, and a septic system is not the appropriate treatment facility. It really should go to a larger wastewater treatment facility. Sewer is the preferred utility. Commissioner Gordon asked how many gallons per minute would be needed from a well. Lynn Klappich said 20-25 gallons/minute. Commissioner Gordon asked about fire protection and Lynn Klappich said that, to date, all of the transfer stations Draper Aden has done, because of the codes of the counties, have not required fire protection because the waste is not there. If the code requires fire suppression, it would have to be 500 gallons/minute. This creates a huge situation, but her background has not required fire suppression. Commissioner Gordon asked about the definition of environmental justice and Jeff Crate said that there is an executive order and it is in Draper Aden's policy. He said that all things need to be equally evaluated and they want to promote the feedback of all citizens that may be affected. BOCC Debrief and Discussion/Lunch Commissioner Jacobs asked that the Board discuss strengths and weaknesses of both firms. Commissioner Gordon said that the strength of the Olver firm was that they were clear, and the Draper firm was not as clear. She appreciated the Draper firm doing research on Orange County. She said that Draper had good criteria, but Olver has a better understanding of the water issues. She thinks that the County could work with either firm. Commissioner Foushee agreed with Commissioner Gordon and said that the firms prepared differently, and the presentation by Olver was much more clear. She thought that Draper was not prepared to answer the follow up questions like Olver was. Commissioner Nelson said that either one of the firms would do a fine job. He said that he thought that the Draper firm explained terms better such as the "fatal flaw" wording. Regarding Olver, he has had a chance to work with Bob Sallach, and he really likes him. In