Orange County NC Website
* assuring long-term partnership of the entities involved through an interlocal agreement <br /> on waste handling and disposal; <br /> * addressing equitable funding and mechanisms for establishing fees and making future <br /> joint decisions; <br /> * future use of closed landfill sites; <br /> * investigation of partnership possibilities involving neighboring jurisdictions; <br /> * feasibility of innovative and cost-effective, environmentally-sound methods of disposal <br /> of solid waste beyond burial; <br /> * potential inclusion of biosolids in long-range disposal plans; <br /> * emergency storm debris planning <br /> * treatment of communities impacted by siting of any facilities either within Orange County or <br /> beyond its borders to receive shipments of waste. <br /> The Towns' and County staffs created a detailed outline from which the draft preliminary <br /> Interlocal Agreement for Solid Waste was produced. Due to time constraints and a need for <br /> elected official level guidance, there are remaining unresolved operational issues and policy <br /> decisions yet to be discussed and will be included in the recommendations from Solid Waste <br /> Advisory Group. The known unresolved operational issues to be addressed by the SWAG are <br /> listed below, but are not limited to: <br /> • Creation of a permanent advisory committee/group to advise the parties to the <br /> Agreement, including rules of procedure, mission, composition, etc.; <br /> • More thorough definition of outstanding debt as it relates to termination or withdrawal; <br /> • How to bring the University into substantive discussions with regard to becoming a party <br /> to the Agreement; <br /> • The degree of involvement and the role of the parties to approve proposed fee increases <br /> versus County discretion; <br /> • Degree of program/operational detail with regard to current recycling and waste reduction <br /> programs and services that should be incorporated into the Agreement; and <br /> • The level of flexibility, discretion, accountability and authority the County will maintain as <br /> the lead agency with regard to ongoing operations, budget, facilities and policies versus the <br /> elements requiring notification to or approval or consent from the parties. <br /> Michael Talbert said the financial impact of this has not yet been determined. He said <br /> the Board's purpose tonight is to consider this initial draft agreement as a starting point, and to <br /> refer this agreement to the SWAG. He reviewed the manager's recommendation. He said <br /> ideally a preliminary report would be done and be presented to the Assembly of Governments <br /> in November; however this may be difficult since there is public representation on this board <br /> that will not be appointed until September. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he assumes the Board would appoint the two <br /> Commissioners to the SWAG tonight, although he does not see that in the abstract. <br /> Donna Baker said this will be done in item 11-e, under appointments. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said she wants to have an inter-local agreement, but she will <br /> vote against this because she feels that it really should be a group of elected officials that <br /> come up with the framework for how to proceed and what kind of advisory board to have. <br /> Commissioner Rich agreed with Commissioner Pelissier and said inter-local <br /> agreements happen between bodies of government, and she does not feel the public needs to <br /> be involved at this stage. <br />