HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinal Minutes 5.23.2013JEFFERSON COUNTY
SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES – Thursday, May 23, 2013
Jefferson County Public Works Building, Conference Room
1. OPENING BUSINESS:
Meeting called to order by John Merchant at 3:05 PM
Members Present: John Merchant – City of Port Townsend
Alyssa Russell – Skookum
Kent Kovalenko – DM/Murrey’s
Paul Rogland – District #2
John Austin – County Commissioner
Valerie Johnstone – District #1
Members Absent: Terry Khile – Port of Port Townsend
Julie Robertson – Department of Ecology
Richard Dandridge – District #1
Matt Hall - Skookum
Staff: Richard Talbot - Public Works Solid Waste Manager
Dennis Bates - Public Works Operations Coordinator
Pinky Feria Mingo – Environmental Health
Tina Anderson – Public Works Administrative Support
Guests: Phil Sonne
No Quorum until 3:30: began with Operational Reports
2. OPERATIONAL REPORTS:
Education: Pinky: Submitted a report for April 1st thru May 15th.
Outreach in the schools delivered 10 classes to 225 students.
Will be doing more visits to schools.
Recycling reminders are at the Rose Theater.
Just received proofs from the Leader for advertising Household Hazardous Waste on
2 buses instead of 1 bus for 16 weeks.
Developing Sims Way Banner for natural lawn care.
Recycling reminders in the City Newsletter.
300 booklets printed and being distributed with Toxic Free Tips.
Jennifer is gearing up for Solid Waste Education at the Farmer’s Markets.
Freebies of produce bags and magnets on hand for 1 Less Bag.
Recycling: Alyssa: Everything has been fine. The change in paper collection begins on Tuesday.
Compost: John M: Things are the same, still selling compost. Tonnages are coming in less, bought 66
tons of materials from Hermann Brothers. This was needed for the processing of
bio-solids.
Solid Waste: Richard: Vermicomposting workshops were highly successful. There are plans to track the
success of users.
There are 3 Department of Ecology CPG Grants. Additional funds for 2012 – 2013
came from the Ecology unspent mercury containing light program which will be
applied to the county recycling program. Closed out the 2012 -2013 and applied for
2013-2014 cycle CPG Grant.
Facilities capitol purchase for a Forklift should be completed soon.
Policy manuals and Operations Plans are being updated.
Al Cairns sent out an announcement that he has resigned and is now working for the
Port of Port Townsend. Tonnages and revenue are up a little this year so far.
Still researching sources for a yard tractor. John M suggested HGAC and NJPA
Co-operatives for purchasing equipment.
3. OLD BUSINESS:
Tipping Fee Analysis and Recommendation:
Richard Talbot gave a Power Point presentation of the Solid Waste Fee Analysis.
There have been no increases in solid waste fees for 20 years.
Reviewed what the fees would be had they been increased annually since 1993.
Revenues kept pace with expenses thru 2008. Tonnage dropped 17% from
2006 to 2011. Operating and Capital Funds balances have declined to minimum
levels.
Reviewed sources of Revenue and Expenditures by service.
Explained the predicted cost to keep services at current levels using 2 options.
Option 1 is the Current Service Level and Option 2 is a Modified Service
Level with increased capital expenditure.
Explained costs of current service levels and cost of limited reductions in service
levels that might be achieved.
Reviewed the recommended fee increases and impacts to customers.
Recommendation from staff for fees increase supporting the Current Service
Levels and continuing to keep our Funds in balance with either Annual or Biennial
increases.
4. NEW BUSINESS:
SWAC feedback on Tipping Fee Recommendation:
Clarification on refrigerator disposal fee.
Discussion on how “waived” fees are paid from other funds.
Annual versus biennial fee increases, example of Port Angeles/Clallam County.
People accepted annual rate increases. Richard also has numbers for an annual
increase that can be presented at the next meeting.
Discussion on $10.00 fee for small loads. Part of the goal is to reduce the
number of small trips and encourage bringing full loads thus reducing the
carbon footprint.
Good Education is needed on how low the current rates are compared to other
counties.
The City of Port Angeles does an Annual increase and it is easier to educate the
customer each year.
Discussion on $5.00 fee at MRW and increase in the CESQG (business) fees.
Previous survey of public users did not object to a small drop fee. This again would
encourage customers to consolidate their loads. Al had asked other counties with
rate increases if they saw an increase in roadside dumping and they did not.
A fee at the MRW brings to light there is a cost for disposal – educational
opportunity to encourage better use of products. Discussed the true cost of
operating the MRW facility. The DOE has a breakdown of costs.
Conclusion: We need to reinvest capital. The fees being recommended will
support the current service levels, by either Annual or Biennial increases.
If fees are not increased services will have to be reduced.
Richard distributed a Draft Information Release for comments or questions.
Target date is to be completed by the end of this year.
Staff would like a SWAC recommendation at the June meeting.
Richard will send out more materials to members and go over suggestions.
1. OPENING BUSINESS CONCLUDED WITH QUORUM:
Approval of Minutes: Correction to Compost Report changing AAA to Class A.
John A moved and Valerie seconded to accept the minutes as corrected
Motion carried.
5. FROM THE FLOOR: Nothing
6. NEXT MEETING JUNE 27, 2013.
7. ADJOURN AT 4:35 PM