Agenda - 05-05-20; 8-a - Minutes

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2 Riley Ruske (sent in via email): 1 The citizens of Orange County have been able to dispose of ‘construction and demolition’ 2 materials at the various recycle sites for years. The only constraint is published on the signage 3 at the sites allowing 4.5 cubic yards or 120 cubic feet per weekday or weekend. Suddenly we 4 are being told that the limit has been reduced to 3 cubic feet—the equivalent of about 2 Walmart 5 shopping bags!!! This will not even cover a minor yard clean-up of a tiny structure or other 6 debris. We are told to go to the Eubanks road site where we will have to pay tipping fees of $22 7 per pick-up or trailer or $5 per carload. This constitutes a 98% reduction in service to residents 8 and a new tipping fee ‘tax’ on top of the already high $142 Solid Waste Programs Fee for each 9 residence. Why has there not been public discussion of this change? Who authorized and 10 approved of this increase in fees to the citizens of Orange County? Will the Solid Waste 11 Programs Fee for residences be reduced to compensate for these new tipping fees? 12 13 This change is not only a costly inconvenience but creates a hazard as rural residents are 14 forced to travel down the interstate with construction and demolition materials in trailers and 15 pickup trucks. Of course, prudent persons properly secure their loads, but sadly, many do not 16 as demonstrated by the trash along the rural roads. 17 18 Please rescind this policy and return to the previous policy, which was safer and less costly to 19 citizens. 20 21 b. Matters on the Printed Agenda 22 (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda 23 below.) 24 25 3. Announcements, Petitions and Comments by Board Members 26 Commissioner Bedford said at 5:00 p.m. today she had a conference call with the 27 Burlington Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). She said there is a projected 28 $300 million decrease in revenues from the North Carolina Department of Transportation 29 (NCDOT) through June 30. She said this will lead to the postponement of projects. She said 30 the SPOT 6 for that MPO was delayed until May 19th. 31 Commissioner Bedford thanked all of the essential workers and County staff that are 32 keeping everyone safe. She also thanked the public for staying home. 33 Commissioner Greene echoed Commissioner Bedford’s comment. 34 Commissioner Greene said she attended the Partnership to End Homelessness 35 (PTEH) virtual meeting. She said all service coordinators are working together, water stations 36 are being maintained, and the InterFaith Council (IFC) kitchen and pantry have seen a 50% 37 increase in usage, and is need of shelf ready foods. 38 Commissioner Greene said there is a $20,000 grant from Cardinal Innovations for 39 those exiting prisons. 40 Commissioner Greene said Nate Broman-Fulks, Town of Chapel Hill Affordable 41 Housing Manager, reported that the Town is getting a new $245,000 CDBG grant to be used for 42 rental assistance, and other housing needs. She said the Town and the County are working 43 closely on housing. 44 Commissioner Greene said Corey Root, PTEH Coordinator, reported there is a new 45 emergency grant coming out in the amount of $5 billion nationwide. 46 Commissioner Greene said Emila Sutton, Housing Director, reported that the Housing 47 Choice program will be able to help people with rent payments, due to lost income. 48 Commissioner McKee said a member of the public contacted him about the Solid 49 Waste Convenience Center (SWCC). He said this resident was told that the SWCC would not 50