Agenda - 02-17-2004-7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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During discussions that led to the BOCC's last endorsement of the plan, several Commissioners expressed only qualified support for the plan and stated that they would be interested in revisiting certain aspects of the plan prior to any future endorsements, Staff has been receiving input from Commissioners over the intervening months on preferred modifications to the plan and now believes the necessary changes have been made based on that guidance. Staff now believes the plan is ready for presentation to the public and consideration by the various Boards, It should be Hated that the BOCC has indicated support for maintaining the 61 percent waste reduction goal. The substantive changes/revisions to the plan include: • removal of the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), • addition of relocation of the existing recyclable materials processing pad, • significant reduction in the pace of expansion of rural curbside recycling collections, • elimination of the substantial expansion of recycling services far the Han-residential sector, and • elimination of the opportunity (due to limited processing capability) to collect several new materials. These changes were made in part due to: • the financial uncertainty of the solid waste enterprise fund and the current need for alternative financing before a commitment is made for significant additional expenditures (i.e. balance level of likely new fees with waste reduction commitment), • the state as a whole has not only not achieved its goals but actually significantly increased amount of waste landfilled, • the County's current level of funding is already significant and the state provides virtually no financial assistance, and • Orange County's existing staccess (leading the state with 45 percent) in reducing waste. Following the public hearing, staff can make any additional revisions, as directed by the BOCC, and then submit a revised plan to the three towns to allow them to proceed with their individual processes for consideration and adoption. A draft resolution is attached which would endorse the plan tapdate and allow it to be finalized and submitted. The draft plan was discussed at the January 8, 2004 Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB) meeting. The SWAB discussed preparing and submitting a letter to the BOCC offering its comments on the plan. That letter is still under development by SWAB members, FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact related to conducting the public hearing. The financial impact of the actual solid waste management plan is considerable and is being discussed relative to ongoing budgetary and alternative financing deliberations. New solid waste fees will likely be implemented in FY 2004/05. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive public comment, direct staff to make any necessary revisions to the Plan, and consider adoption of the attached resolution endorsing the 3-Year Update of Orange County's Solid Waste Management Plan at this or a subsequent BOCC meeting.