HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.23.2026 SWAC Mtg DRAFT Minutes
Jefferson County, Washington State
Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC)
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting, Thursday, April 23, 2026, 3:04 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Public Works Office, 623 Sheridan St., Port Townsend, WA
Hybrid Meeting
Audio and video recordings posted under Meeting Recordings on this website
https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/483/Solid-Waste-Advisory-Committee
Opening Business
Meeting agenda posted on website on April 10, 2026.
1. Call to Order and Roll Call – Phil Sonne, Vice Chair (Timestamp 00:20)
Committee Members Present for Roll Call:
Tracy Grisman, District #1
Phil Sonne, Citizen-at-Large, Vice Chair
Rebecca Jewell, Chair, Citizen-at-Large
Joey Deese, Waste Connections
Bliss Morris, City of Port Townsend
Kimberlie Webber, Port of Port Townsend
Jim Friedman, District #3
Simon Walter-Hanson, District #2
Keith Dixon, Industry Representative
Committee Members Absent
Heidi Eisenhour, County Commissioner
Public Works Staff Present
Al Cairns, Solid Waste Program Manager
Chelsie Kilmer, Admin Support Staff
Laura Tucker, Solid Waste Education and
Outreach
Guests/Visitors included
Lacy Kooiman and Blake Nelson, WA State Department of Ecology; Jean Ball, Citizen
2. Introduction of New Members (2:50)
New members: Keith Dixon, Jim Friedman, and Simon Walter-Hanson introduced themselves and provided their
background and interest in participating on SWAC.
3. Public Comments (5:35)
• Quilcene Drop Box: cost concerns, recycling changes review, Parks removal of trash cans,
Public Health complaint reports, Transfer Station Tipping Fee
• Concern for overcapacity at Quilcene Drop Box
4. Approval/correction of Minutes from Previous Meetings. (9:10)
Moved by Tracy, seconded by Jim, and carried all in favor: to accept meeting minutes from January
22, 2026 with the edit of Sierra declining the chair nomination.
5. Staff Report (11:12)
• Transfer Station Replacement Planning Process
• 40 Year MSW Projections
• Solid Waste Staffing
• Return to Earth
• Request for SWAC Appointment
• Food Waste Diversion
o Praise for food waste diversion efforts
• Recycling Program Revisions and Public Outreach
o Request for 1 can fee outreach at Quilcene- Discussion occurred regarding the impact
of traffic at Quilcene
o Discussion occurred regarding the new recycling program, with Al providing
information on glass recycling after it leaves our facilities, review of the Bottle Bill
and the Recycling Reform Act, and comparison of recycling glass or sending it to the
landfill
• Curbside Collection Low-Income Discount
• Mercury Lamp Collection Program Update
• Landfill Diversion Program
• 2026 Legislative Wrap-up
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events/Kitsap County Interlocal Agreement
• Transfer Station Capital Improvements
Luara Tucker arrived (29:57)
6. Old Business (35:21)
a) BoCC Approved by-laws revisions
Al shared the new SWAC By-Laws which were approved by Jefferson County’s Prosecuting
Attorney. Discussion occurred regarding a section removed by the Prosecuting Attorney
regarding SWAC member removal.
7. New Business (37:00)
a) Circular Economy Grants
Al reviewed the proposed Circular Economy Grant Program.
Discussion occurred regarding options for the program, funding sources, and budget timeline.
Moved by Tracy, seconded by Keith, and carried with 8 yes votes and 1 no vote by Jim: to move forward
to develop the Circular Economy Grant Program
b) Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) Update (47:52)
o Review of plan format and process timeline
Discussion occurred and the board agreed to continue with the proposed plan format.
Continued discussion regarding the SWMP timeline and staff resources.
o Review of draft introduction
Moved by Tracy, seconded by Phil, and carried 8 yes votes and Jim abstained: to adopt Chapter 1
Introduction with the ability to revise.
8. Partner Updates (1:35:55)
a) Artist in Residency
o Tracy shared a new artist was chosen for the program and information on how the
program has grown.
b) Waste Connections – Joey gave an update on the April 1 Recycle changes including increases
in customers since the change, what to do with the old recycling bins, and the improved
efficiency since the transition to the single container recycling bins.
c) City of Port Townsend – No report.
9. Last comment-
Jim asked SWAC if there is an interest in meeting more often, with the focus of education. Discussion
occurred regarding what’s allowed, what would be discussed, and the best way to educate and provide
materials to SWAC members while being mindful of OPMA guidelines.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm.