Agenda - 09-30-1998 - Additional Information

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on all sides. The LOG then makes recommendations with the final budget included in the Chapel Hill Town Council budget. "As part of financing mechanism, all boards endorse implementation of a 'Chapel Hi11- Carrboro-Orange County (and I believe Hillsborough was added) Solid Waste Availability Fee' for all county residents." COMMENT: Currently there is a LOG committee working with a consultant to determine the best means of funding current and future solid waste operations in Orange County. A great deal of time, expert thought, discussion by elected officials and staff, as well as tax dollars have been put into this effort. Before agreeing to any funding mechanism, it would seem best to at least have the benefit of the information gathered and recommendation(s) from this committee. The next meeting of this LOG committee is on Thursday, September 17, at 8:30 AM in the Chapel Bill public library meeting room. "Solid waste operations shall continue to operate as an enterprise fund to the extent Possible after the County assumes responsibility, but the County shall have the option of implementing other fees, and shall not be required to use general fiuuds for solid waste management activities." COMMENT: This needs some clarification as to what is meant by other fees," Does this mean fees other than the recommendations) that will come from the LOG Finance Committee and endorsed by all local governments. Earlier the Council supported continuing solid waste operations as an enterprise fund. ".,U] p:rues will sign the Interiocal Agreement after it has been revised tc incorporate modifications." COMMIl NT: On July 2nd, the Council suggested that before any agreement on governance is made, that solid waste issues, including a C&D site, a MRF site, a transfer station site and future financing methods be resolved. "Sixty acres of the Greene Tract shall be set aside for use by the County in future solid waste management activities. The balance of the Greene Tract shall remain under the ownership of the current owners, who shall determine its future use." COMMENT: There is a difference between the Council's and County's positions. Our suggestion was that we needed to begin discussions on whether to keep the Greene Tract as publically owned land, and if so, what if any uses would be suitable. The Council also indicated that a decision about the Greene Tract should not delay the transfer of governance.. We all probably have our preferences for the Greene Tract, but agreeing to set aside such a large portion of this tract for unspecified future solid waste management activities without discussions about a wide range of possible uses and the financial, environmental8ndlocial implications #or each potential uses, and without-public input, seems contrary to our July resolution. Also there is no indication about what solid waste management activities were contemplated in this proposal. We need to have some specifics about what this means.