Minutes - 20060315 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

e. Interim Report from SWAB Work Group on Salid Waste Management Plan Update Rod Visser said that this is a process that goes on every three years and the County is to provide an update to the State by the summer of 2006. As part of the process, the Board and the municipalities agreed that it was important to have elected official representation an the work group. Gayle Wilson said that the work group has met six times and has not met since November. They plan to meet again in April and discuss a decision points questionnaire and some of the research that staff has done. The original timeline had the plan being adopted by all of the governments and submitted by the end of June, however, it is likely to be sometime in the fall. He said that one thing that has been discussed is the notion of franchising the SWAB and they would like more information about this such as benefits, limitations, process, etc. Rod Visser said that one of the "bad bills" as viewed by the Association of County Commissioners is directly related to this topic -Senate Bill 951. This may be another reason to accelerate the efforts of examining franchising. Chair Jacobs suggested talking to Alamance County officials since they have experience with franchising. Gayle Wilson said that the SWAB is going to conduct an analysis on curbside pickup of trash. Commissioner Halkiotis said that $2 million is a significant amount of money, and that does not include what people are putting in their gas tanks to drive to the convenience centers. Commissioner Foushee asked if there was a negative consequence to the delay for not having an updated plan on time. Gayle Wilson said that there was not a negative consequence and he has been told that those that do not have a valid updated plan submitted can be eliminated for consideration for grants. They can also delay issuance of permits for disposal, transfer stations, etc. The County has not been exposed to any consequences. Jahn Link asked Gayle Wilson about analyzing franchising and said that one aspect is who pays the franchisee -the County or the citizens. He said that they should look at a combination of private sector doing door-to-door pickup where they charge the citizens, but there are still 2-3 convenience centers in the County. Commissioner Gordon said that the County is at a 46°~ reduction rate and she wants to know the positive things Orange County has done. Gayle Wilson said that Orange County has led for three years in a row in capital waste reduction in the State. It is also recognized for having the most sophisticated and diversified waste reduction program in the southeast. It has a comprehensive collection system - a combination of drop off, curbside, and commercial deliveries. It conducts commercial food waste collection that is turned into compost and resold at the landfill facilities as compost. It has one of the leading construction and demolition waste reduction programs in the State. The clean wood waste leftover from construction sites is ground and sold as mulch. The staff frequently attends state and national conferences and conducts presentations on the programs as being innovative and aggressive. Rod Visser said that the household hazardous waste program is one of the leaders in the State. Commissioner Gordon asked about the original target for reduction and Gayle Wilson said 25% was the State's target and 45% was the secondary target for 2006. Most of the rest of the State is going backwards.