Agenda - 01-23-2014 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 1 He said that the conversation could be continued once these questions are answered, 2 and the Board can decide on the direction. 3 Commissioner Gordon clarified that this needs to be resolved before the budget process, 4 as the budget process has to do with funding. 5 She suggested that Cheryl Young be one of the staff members working to put this 6 together. She suggested the retreat in late January as a good time to discuss this. 7 Commissioner Dorosin said that he is one of the three different visions that were 8 mentioned. He said he would defer to the women on the Board regarding this issue. 9 10 2. Review the Process of Creating a Solid Waste Collection and Disposal System 11 Service District 12 Michael Talbert said the Board last held a work session in April, looking at four options 13 for solid waste and recycling in Orange County. He said this evolved to a public hearing on 14 April 23, reviewing the following top three options: 1) Create a solid waste management 15 authority, 2) Create a solid waste service district; or 3) Eliminate curbside recycling. 16 He said, at the direction of the board, staff moved forward with determining willingness to 17 participate, and ascertaining the needs and concerns of the towns with regard to the possible 18 creation of a service district. 19 He said the Chair met with the three mayors, and adopted an interim funding plan for 20 2013-14, as directed. He said staff had also committed further investigation into a service 21 district or authority. 22 He said the creation of an authority is actually creating a separate form of government. 23 He said this would likely take more time than the County has to solve the recycling issues for 24 the coming fiscal year. 25 He said the creation of a service district is similar to the creation of a fire district, and this 26 could be accomplished by the end of the year. He said this is outlined on page 3 of the 27 abstract. 28 He said a public hearing must be held in order to establish a service district. He said if 29 the County is considering partnering with the three towns and the existing service district, this 30 would mean 40-50 thousand property owners would have to be notified of a public hearing. He 31 said this means up to 60 thousand parcels and multiple public hearings. 32 Michael Talbert said John Roberts has outlined a plan to make this work. He said towns 33 can make an authorization. He said Chapel Hill put a section in their budget ordinance stating 34 that the town "authorizes Orange County to provide recycling collection services within those 35 areas of the town situated in Durham County and to impose and administer a fee for such 36 services." 37 He said a similar statement could be used by all of the towns. 38 John Roberts said he has met several times in the past year with the town attorneys on 39 this issue. He suggested that the municipal statutes in chapter 168 give specific authorization 40 that towns can do recycling services within their jurisdictions and charge a fee for this service. 41 John Roberts said the towns initially did not agree with this, but he thinks Chapel Hill has 42 had a change of opinion. He said if each of the towns is willing to do something similar to grant 43 this authority to the County, the size of the solid waste district can be limited to the 44 unincorporated areas. He said the municipal areas can continue under the authority delegated 45 from the town. 46 Michael Talbert said the Town of Chapel Hill has done a comprehensive study of the 47 solid waste and collections disposal options. He said the town has been unwilling to share that 48 information, but it is being discussed at the town meeting in November. 49 He said the Town of Carrboro and the Town of Hillsborough have indicated a willingness 50 to participate and a desire to keep the recycling services going. He said that, with