Minutes 10-08-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Community Development Director Tara Fikes might answer the whys of the abolition of the Women's Commission in 2010. He said that the conversation could be continued once these questions are answered, and the Board can decide on the direction. Commissioner Gordon clarified that this needs to be resolved before the budget process, as the budget process has to do with funding. She suggested that Cheryl Young be one of the staff members working to put this together. She suggested the retreat in late January as a good time to discuss this. Commissioner Dorosin said that he is one of the three different visions that were mentioned. He said he would defer to the women on the Board regarding this issue. 2. Review the Process of Creating a Solid Waste Collection and Disposal System Service District Michael Talbert said the Board last held a work session in April, looking at four options for solid waste and recycling in Orange County. He said this evolved to a public hearing on April 23, reviewing the following top three options: 1) Create a solid waste management authority, 2) Create a solid waste service district; or 3) Eliminate curbside recycling. He said, at the direction of the board, staff moved forward with determining willingness to participate, and ascertaining the needs and concerns of the towns with regard to the possible creation of a service district. He said the Chair met with the three mayors, and adopted an interim funding plan for 2013-14, as directed. He said staff had also committed further investigation into a service district or authority. He said the creation of an authority is actually creating a separate form of government. He said this would likely take more time than the County has to solve the recycling issues for the coming fiscal year. He said the creation of a service district is similar to the creation of a fire district, and this could be accomplished by the end of the year. He said this is outlined on page 3 of the abstract. He said a public hearing must be held in order to establish a service district. He said if the County is considering partnering with the three towns and the existing service district, this would mean 40-50 thousand property owners would have to be notified of a public hearing. He said this means up to 60 thousand parcels and multiple public hearings. Michael Talbert said John Roberts has outlined a plan to make this work. He said towns can make an authorization. He said Chapel Hill put a section in their budget ordinance stating that the town "authorizes Orange County to provide recycling collection services within those areas of the town situated in Durham County and to impose and administer a fee for such services." He said a similar statement could be used by all of the towns. John Roberts said he has met several times in the past year with the town attorneys on this issue. He suggested that the municipal statutes in chapter 168 give specific authorization that towns can do recycling services within their jurisdictions and charge a fee for this service. John Roberts said the towns initially did not agree with this, but he thinks Chapel Hill has had a change of opinion. He said if each of the towns is willing to do something similar to grant this authority to the County, the size of the solid waste district can be limited to the unincorporated areas. He said the municipal areas can continue under the authority delegated from the town.