Agenda - 09-16-2014 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 1 Commissioner Pelissier asked if a preliminary agreement means having something to 2 get them through next year, and maybe even simplifying it more. She said a group would then 3 be formed to flesh it out. 4 Chair Jacobs said yes. 5 Michael Talbert said this is an outline that could be something much broader at a later 6 date. He said an advisory group could be asked to work out the details with elected officials 7 from each unit of local government. He said the document could then be brought back to the 8 Board in a year for a major amendment. 9 Commissioner Price said this document does not seem comprehensive. She said there 10 are a lot of elements all over the place, and she feels that if towns are going to be involved this 11 needs to be a comprehensive solid waste project. She said if this document has to be used, 12 she would ask that Labor Day be included as a holiday. 13 Commissioner McKee asked what happens if this is not done by July 1St 14 John Roberts said there is no current agreement, so you would still be maintaining the 15 status quo. He said the towns still need to approve the recommended fees for recycling in their 16 jurisdictions, but he does not see any legal change if this is not approved. 17 Commissioner McKee said he is not interested in doing a piecemeal agreement 18 because he thinks it reduces the County's negotiating ability. He feels the current solid waste 19 program is piecemeal and confusing. He is not concerned with a July deadline, and he would 20 rather go on with the status quo and then try and get this document right. He is not okay with 21 the towns building a transfer station and not allowing the County to use it and vice versa. He 22 said if Orange County is going to be responsible for its own trash, the County will need to build 23 a transfer station. He would be fine to let this ride out until an agreement can be reached. He 24 said an advisory board should be done before putting in a piecemeal agreement. 25 Michael Talbert said if that is the Board's pleasure then staff can be directed, along with 26 the towns, to refine this agreement over the summer and come back with a revised agreement 27 by the first meeting in the fall. He said it could then be taken to the Assembly of Governments 28 (AOG) meeting for discussion of the political issues that staff is not able to negotiate. 29 Chair Jacobs said he feels that this document is very County centric. He would like to 30 indicate that the County is amenable to an agreement that is more mutually satisfactory. He 31 suggested an advisory group could contain two elected officials from each of the four 32 governments, one representative from UNC, three citizens, and whatever staff the group deems 33 appropriate. He said this would be a workable group, and he suggests that there be a specific 34 timeframe to have an outline in time for the AOG meeting in November. He said everyone will 35 want to make decisions in time for the 2015 -16 budget year. He said the direction would be to 36 create a comprehensive solid waste strategy that includes solid waste, bio- solids, food waste, 37 and short and long term plans. He said if a plan of action can be created and the AOG can 38 agree to go forward, then they would at least have a framework of a comprehensive plan with 39 stages that allow them to address something next budget year. 40 Commissioner Price said she is looking for this to be an all- inclusive project, because 41 the use of certain technologies depends on how large your waste stream is. 42 Commissioner McKee asked if the direction is to let this document ride. He said he 43 seems to be hearing two different directions. 44 Chair Jacobs said both could be done. He said staff could be directed to work on this as 45 a preliminary agreement; and the Board can come up with a framework for conceptualizing all 46 of the issues and creating a timeline for action. He said no one wants to continue going in 47 circles and not knowing if the County has any partners. He said there is a very good 48 opportunity for partnerships. He said the two directions are not mutually exclusive. 49 Commissioner McKee said it sounds like staff is at an impasse on certain items.