Minutes 12-02-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Rich said Eubanks currently has a shed for used items. She asked if this will remain. Gayle Wilson said yes, and it will be improved and expanded. Commissioner Gordon asked for clarification on the current functions versus what will be in place in the future. She asked specifically about card board recycling, electronics recycling, and other specialized recycling. She asked how all of these functions would be accommodated in the new facility, Gayle Wilson said this new facility will be three to four times larger. He said there will be no more card board dumpsters, as one of the compactors will be for cardboard. He said the other compacter will be for mixed recycling. He said the plan is to do away with the front loading dumpsters. He said textile recycling, plastic film recycling, food waste recycling and cooking oil recycling are also being added. Commissioner Gordon asked some clarifying questions on the map of the facility and Gayle Wilson reviewed the map. Commissioner Gordon asked about the planned start and completion dates, and she asked about the interim location. Gayle Wilson said he is trying to find an interim location now. He said this will be about a four to six month project, and it will start once staff has provided Chapel Hill with the requested preliminary information, and the Town has provided information on the permitting process. He said the best case is that a permit can be obtained to begin construction by summer of 2014, to be completed by the end of 2014. He said the worst case scenario would put the timeline a year beyond this, with construction in the fall of 2015. Commissioner Price asked if both compactors are working at the same time at Walnut Grove. Gayle Wilson said these are used at alternate times so that both don't fill up at the same time. He said this prevents interruption in service. He said the Eubanks site will be able to run two compactors at the same time. Commissioner Price said there is usually a line when only one compactor is operating. She asked if both could be operating at one time at Walnut Grove now and if all three will be working at the same time at Eubanks. Gayle Wilson said two compactors will be operating at all times at Eubanks, while one will be reserved for use when the other two fill up. He said Walnut Grove only has two, so one is saved for reserve use. He said the lines don't usually get more than three or four cars long. Commissioner Price said she is concerned more with convenience. She said this system prevents people from being able to run in and run out. She referred to the Eubanks site drawing and said she is concerned about the circulation pattern and how cars will get past the compactor. Gayle Wilson showed the options on the diagram and said there is room for cars to pull around. Commissioner Price said she is concerned about how this will work when things get very busy. Michael Talbert said this is just a concept drawing for Chapel Hill's review process, and staff will be bringing back a more detailed diagram in the summer. Gayle Wilson said this will also include the recommendation on interim services. Commissioner McKee said he recently met with a homeowners association, and there were several questions about the Eubanks facility. He recommended the residents take a look at Walnut Grove for an idea of the layout. He said the compactors at Walnut Grove are still relatively high, and he wonders if it is possible to have a ramp pad to reduce the amount of distance that garbage has to be lifted. Gayle Wilson said this comes back to an OSHA requirement that access to a compactor box be a minimum of 42 inches from surface level. He said this is the controlling factor. Commissioner Dorosin said he did not see anything in the Eubanks drawing about sheds for employees. He asked if this is in the plans. Gayle Wilson said these will be put in from day one at this site. Commissioner Dorosin asked for clarification on the compactor being added to the Walnut Grove site. Gayle Wilson said there were budget adjustments to the original plan that eliminated one compactor when the site was first constructed. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the new storage containers will allow there to be an empty container always on site. Gayle Wilson answered yes.