MInutes 02-06-2024 - Business Meeting

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46 Commissioner Hamilton said that part of what makes this difficult is understanding how it works and asked if this change something that they have to do anyway. Robert Williams said they have to do something, and they have received information that 40% of Orange County waste is organic materials. He said that if that is able to come out of the waste system they won't have to go to a landfill. Commissioner Hamilton said so much needs to be done with clarity on recycling and zero waste. She said that she would rather see Scenario 2 done first because the county needs to do more for education around preventing waste. She said she needs more information on Scenario 3, but she is leaning towards Scenario 2. Commissioner McKee said he has seen trash collection change over his lifetime in Orange County. He said he has private trash service, and the proposed increase is more than he pays for his service. He said it is a concern for him that people living in less expensive homes are paying their fees as a high percentage of their property taxes. He said from his perspective, he thinks the county can only afford Scenario 1, and possibly Scenario 2. He said he does not think it is possible to be zero waste by 2045. Commissioner Richards asked if Eubanks has to be changed regardless of any scenario. Robert Williams said yes. Commissioner Richards said she is not able to support relying on Eubanks Rd. for the future. She said that the community and the county's legacy there is enough. She said Scenario 1 goes well with the Climate Action Plan, and parts of Scenario 2 are doable. She said there are 5-10 years needed of community engagement needed. Vice-Chair Greene said Orange County is growing and what Commissioner Richards is saying is very true, but someday another site will be needed in Orange County. She said she would rather go ahead and get this information into the community and get input on where another site could go. Commissioner Fowler said she agrees that they are never getting to zero with a transfer station, but asked if the county can ever get any of the efficiencies. Jennifer Porter said there definitely are success stories across the country with strong organics programs. Chris Lund said there are communities that have taken on the separation themselves and they decide how it is handled. Commissioner Fowler asked if the facilities are covered but the fee or by the capital fee. Bonnie Hammersley said any Solid Waste capital is paid for by the enterprise fund. Commissioner Fowler said it seems there will be a need for a new facility and she thinks a master plan seems helpful. She said that she is not sure about organics because if waste was prevented, it would not have to be transported across town. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said that Scenario 3 bothers her because of the impact on the Rogers Rd. community. She said that this would be too much to ask them to bear. She said even if there is community engagement with Rogers Road, historically communities of color do not always send constant emails or show up at meetings to express their opinions. She said that can give a false sense that everyone is ok with the idea. She said that to expect people to pay additional money is a lot. She said she likes the idea of starting with Scenario 1 and moving to Scenario 2, when possible. Commissioner McKee said the county is morally bound to figure out how to handle its own waste and not ship it out to other places. Vice-Chair Greene said she agrees with Commissioner Portie-Ascott's comments and would consider taking Eubanks off the table at this point. She said that zero waste is impossible but is aspirational. Chair Bedford asked if any scenario tried to decrease the usage and delay the need for additional facilities. Jennifer Porter says it starts in Scenario 1 but is in all three.