Orange County NC Website
was a surprise to the Board of Commissioners. Orange County does not have the legal responsibility <br />to manage solid waste for the entire County nor is the County ready to do so at this time. This is a <br />land use planning issue and each entity has their own land use issues. This is a very difficult task and <br />all jurisdictions need to persuade their citizens to change their behavior with respect to solid waste <br />and also to pay for it. Cooperation is essential. <br />Mayor Waldorf stated that it was essential that decisions be made. In 2005 the landfill will be <br />at capacity. It will take years to get anything in place, including the MRF. She does not understand <br />why more time is needed to decide on this. If The County isn't going to work with them, or take this <br />over, Chapel Hill may have to make its own decisions. <br />Alderman Zaffron stated that after having agreed to a procedure, people are now changing <br />their minds. He felt that the reasons being given do not actually impact on what is in the Interlocal <br />Agreement. He asked that the elected officials take a second look at their current positions on this <br />issue. <br />Chair Crowther stated that the County Attorney has made certain recommendations. He has <br />stated that if the County were to have jurisdiction of managing everyone's solid waste, it would have <br />to be responsible for siting a disposal facility with no veto power on the part of the other jurisdictions. <br />The Greene Tract is also an issue for the County. If Orange County took over the landfill it would <br />need to have responsibility for the future of the Greene Tract. Orange County considers the Greene <br />Tract an asset of the landfill. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked the other elected officials if they wouldn't also have serious <br />reservations if they were considering taking over the management of the landfill. He commented that <br />Council member Chilton said that the operations would "largely be in the hands of the Board of <br />Commissioners". The word "largely" puts fear into the hearts of the Commissioners. In the last three <br />weeks he has gotten different perspectives and answers about the reserve funds. He, and the other <br />Commissioners, need a clear picture of the funds. He asked if the reserve fund is being used to pay <br />for recycling? He also needs a commitment that the Greene Tract would be an asset of the landfill. <br />Council member Chilton asked that the Board of Commissions keep in mind that the Town of <br />Chapel Hill owns 43% of the landfill fund, including property and other assets. They would be <br />agreeing to give that away which is also a big commitment on their part. Giving all of this to Orange <br />county has the potential to make him nervous as well. Also, Chapel Hill would be agreeing to be a <br />customer of huge proportions. <br />Alderman Gist stated that she had been under the impression that there was agreement on <br />these issues. Clearly that is not so. She suggested moving ahead with the discussion of community <br />benefits. She asked that the Work Group meet again and report back to the Assembly of <br />Governments in February of 1998. <br />Attorney Jessup stated that if the County feels that it needs more information then one thing <br />that could be done would be to get mutual agreements on when that information would be received <br />and reviewed. Then the December date could be replaced with another date. He asked that <br />everyone keep in mind that the feedback loop has an impact on everyone's desires and willingness to <br />agree on this process. <br />EUBANKS ROAD LANDFILL COMMUNITY BENEFITS (DECISION ITEMS) <br />Chair Crowther introduced this matter. He indicated that all three Boards had to agree on an <br />Item in order for it to be adopted. A majority of each Board would need to vote in the affirmative in <br />order for the item to pass. <br />It was decided to discuss and vote on each of the items listed as Exhibit C of "How the <br />Remaining Pieces Fit Together" starting with Item Fourteen (xiv) and then work backwards. This <br />information is located in the October 1997 Hazen and Sawyer report and is incorporated herein by <br />reference as Attachment I. <br />ITEM FOURTEEN (xiv): This item reads as follows: The Working Group recommends that three <br />residents of the area near the Eubanks Road landfill (two in the Rogers Road area, an one in the <br />Millhouse Road area) be identified to receive all mailings and information sent to members of the