Orange County NC Website
Commissioner Jacobs said he appreciated Chair McKee correcting repeated <br /> misinformation by residents. He said there has been no discussion at all about closing any <br /> Convenience Centers. He said doing a use survey of the different waste facilities has been <br /> discussed to see who gets the benefits of the different services. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said in the last few years there have been a lot of <br /> conversations about the rural versus urban recycling and she hopes there will now be <br /> conversation on how everyone can do their best with recycling. She said recycling has <br /> increased dramatically with new large bins and success is being achieved. <br /> Commissioner Rich said when the information about the roll carts went out to the rural <br /> segments, the response was enormous. She said roll carts could not be delivered quickly <br /> enough. She asked if there are still rural residents waiting for carts. <br /> Gayle Wilson said that is correct and he said a survey indicated about 7000 residents <br /> wanted the new roll carts. He said 7600 roll carts were purchased in the current budget. He <br /> said the existing carts are all distributed, and 300 more carts have been ordered. He said they <br /> will be distributed as soon as they arrive. He said many people who thought they did not want <br /> the roll carts have changed their minds. <br /> Commissioner Rich said no one is telling residents in the Towns and County what to <br /> do, but the goal is to give people recycling options and promote recycling. She said the <br /> participation goal was 61% and with it being at 64% percent, everyone should be very proud. <br /> Chair McKee said residents with trash pick up in urban areas will not use Convenience <br /> Centers as much as those living in rural areas. He said he has spoken with Chapel Hill <br /> residents about the Convenience Centers, and when these residents need the Convenience <br /> Centers, they really need them. He said that having the Convenience Centers open for items <br /> that cannot be put out on the curb is a major convenience for them. He said the lower number <br /> of carts initially purchased may have been the result of his objections to buying carts when the <br /> response was unknown. He said he is glad to see more carts are needed versus having too <br /> many and them going to waste. He said the issue of carts versus bins has been addressed. <br /> He said the fee will be present whether the service is used or not. He said at his home he has <br /> a large cart. He said before using this he went to the Convenience Center. He said currently <br /> he and his wife carry the recyclables to the collection point behind Home Depot. <br /> Chair McKee said he agreed with Commissioner Price's idea of trying to extend the <br /> convenience centers' hours while they wait for the rural roll carts to be distributed. He said he <br /> has never heard any conversation about closing the Convenience Centers by this Board or <br /> anyone else during his tenure. <br /> Commissioner Rich said she does have some concerns about the extension of hours <br /> but will wait for the budget discussions. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Rich to: <br /> 1) endorse the fee recommendation and direct the County Manager to incorporate the fee into <br /> the proposed Fiscal 2015/16 Annual Budget; and <br /> 2) direct the County Manager to communicate the BOCC decision to the Carrboro, Chapel Hill <br /> and Hillsborough Town Managers and request that the Towns prepare to incorporate County <br /> authorization to assess the Solid Waste Programs Fee into their Fiscal 2015/16 Budget <br /> Ordinances. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />