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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.26.18 SWAC Minutes JEFFERSON COUNTY SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES – Thursday, July 26, 2018 Tri Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road, Chimacum, WA RECYCLING MARKET CHANGES and POSSIBLE AFFECTS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY 3:00 PM OPENING BUSINESS Welcome and Opening Comments – Tom Boatman, Solid Waste Manager  Key points from the 6/28/2018 meeting: rising ratepayer costs regionally now, recycling programs being reduced or eliminated, and reducing contamination brings higher market values.  Overview of current meeting agenda: present market conditions for Jefferson County, education program to reduce contamination, and public comment section  No changes to recycling program now, but may change in future depending on market conditions  Dashboard on Solid Waste website to provide current info, comments, and discussion on recycling market Introductions – Bart Kale, SWAC Chair Bart started the introductions by each SWAC member in attendance: Kathleen Kler, Board of County Commissioners Jenifer Taylor, District 2 Citizen Representative Lisa Crosby, District 1 Citizen Representative Carol Cummins, District 1 Citizen Representative Glenn Gately, Jefferson County Conservation District Jefferson County Staff Present: Tom Boatman, Public Works Solid Waste Manager Jerry Mingo, Public Works MRW Coordinator; Laura Tucker, Public Health, Education Chris Spall, Public Works Support Staff Members Absent: Chris Giraldes, D.M. Disposal; Alysa Russell, Skookum Contract Services Guests: Kris Kidd, Skookum, and Philip Hunsucker, Jefferson County Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Bart declared a quorum present, and brought up approval of the 6/28/2018 minutes. Kathleen Kler pointed out some typos and minor errors. Lisa suggested deleting an incomplete sentence regarding marketability, but it was decided to keep the sentence with corrections. Bart asked for a motion to approve the minutes with corrections, and Carol moved to approve with Lisa seconding the motion. 6/28/2018 minutes approved with corrections. 3:15 PM NEW BUSINESS Open Public Meetings Act – Philip Hunsucker  Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) applies to SWAC because its input required by the County  Serious because personal liability applies. SWAC members and agency are liable.  MRSC Practice tips for OPMA compliance http://mrsc.org/getmedia/b9dc06de-338d-43cc-9baa- 9c99244cdfe3/opma_agency%20obligations_practice%20tips.pdf.aspx  Open meetings training http://www.atg.wa.gov/opengovernmenttraining.aspx  Some of the basic requirements: all meetings open and public; meeting occurs when a majority/quorum attends and action taken, including email, discussion, deliberation, and voting, no secret ballots.  Appearance of Fairness Doctrine – meant to make hearings fair – would not apply to this board; Chapter 42.36 RCW  How does email figure into this? Using “Reply All” in emails to all SWAC members brings in quorum rules. To avoid this, have County staff disseminate info to the SWAC. Summary of Public Comments to Date – Jerry Mingo Public comments from last month’s meeting, and phone calls after Port Townsend Leader’s news article in June.  Of the 69 comments received, 42 were to seek clarification about whether recycling program had changed, and rest (20) were suggestions and ideas on the issue.  Also comments about service in Port Townsend, use of Solid Waste website, and appreciation that SWAC and County were being proactive on this global market situation.  To summarize - opportunity to practice waste reduction. Difficult to do but none the less we should practice it.  Since June 28th meeting, marketability of items on the recycle list doggedly pursued by Skookum, and dashboard on Solid Waste website.  No changes to recycle program as of now. Use recycle list and follow it to the letter. If unsure, throw it out.  Watch for subsequent info such as removal of items from recycling list or changes in collection process.  Education outreach plan in place if recycling list needs to change – onsite flyers, sample boards with example of products, temporary staffing of recycling drop-offs. Staffing shared by recycling partners – Skookum, JCPW. Website postings – County will manage and participate in this effort – Public Works and Public Health. Other outreach methods are newspaper ads, newsletters, classroom programs, and theater advertisements.  Should changes to the recycling list be necessary, Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) section 4.3 spells out situations that would trigger a change, and says that minor changes can be made by the Public Works Director, but major changes require amending SWMP. Market Update – Kris Kidd standing in for Alysa Russell  Made new partnerships and was able to recycle the stockpile. Was possible because of SWAC and doors opened by this community.  Downside is no long-term relationship yet or surety it will continue in the future.  Community involvement required to keep it going. Keep the recycling stream clean.  Demand to recycle must match or be less than capacity.  What is marketable? o Tin, Aluminum, and (acceptable) Plastic (TAP) marketable if clean: empty and rinsed, and no #3-4, 6- 7 plastics which are waste and don’t belong in recycling stream. o Currently, #5 plastics are a negative commodity, but still cheaper to recycle with #1-2 plastics and metals, than to dispose. May not be worth recycling in a month’s time. Look at by type not number, plastic tubs, dairy, margarine are traditionally a #5 rigid plastic. o #1-2s have a positive value and have a long term market  Follow list exactly and stand by for more info because recycling market evolving.  Volunteers needed for public outreach.  Brown paper is recyclable but is a negative commodity. White paper has a positive value, but has a negative value if mixed with brown paper. Corrugated cardboard has a strong value and is not in brown paper category. Some of the Public Comments  Heidi Eisenhower – asked if recycling list could be insert in utility bill. Still wide spread confusion about what can be recycled. Happy to help and happy progress has been made.  Andrew Eisenberg– project equipment ready at end of month. Dedicated to solution. Create capability in our own community. Use our imagination and work together.  Kevin Alexander – suggested putting revision dates on the recycling list. Pointed out that a Discover Pass is not needed to recycle at Fort Worden. Would be nice if pizza boxes could be accepted at compost facility.  Steve Gilmore of Republic Services – emphasize empty, clean, dry and when in doubt, throw it out are two simple messages to emphasize on the recycle list. Committee and Public Discussion – Bart Kale  Glen Gately confused about whether #5 plastics are good or bad. Chris Kidd answered that #5s have a slight negative value, but if empty clean and dry they can be recycled in the comingled bundle with #1-2. Currently more cost effective to recycle than throw out.  Lisa asked if #1-2 deli tubs, similar in shape to #5s, are recyclable. Kris said they could be, but unsure. Lisa asked if it would be better to not include #5s due to possible confusion with #1&2 tubs, which are not on our recycle list. Tom said Washington Refuse and Recycle Association (WRRA) recommends #3-7 plastics not be on future recycling lists.  Steve Gilmore suggested looking for opportunities for domestic markets. China may ban all materials by 2020.  Kathleen Kler said WRRA recycle list differs from Jefferson County list, which is confusing. Not sure if it is helpful to have WRRA list on the Solid Waste website.  Andrew asked if numbers represent chemistry of the plastic. Response was that there is inconsistency in numbering on bottom of packaging; best to match item to physical characteristics of what is on the list. Look at type not number, as the numbers are misleading.  Heidi said to push using the recycling list; makes it easier for people to get info they need.  Carol said to be precise on the list. Clean and dry for the prep message at the bottom.  Jennifer asked if envelopes with windows are ok. Response was yes.  Lisa asked if the brown paper should be pulled out. Chris Kidd responded that it depends on the month to month value but mixed paper for now should remain as is. Kathleen suggested using paper tubes for planting. 4:30 PM ADJOURNMENT Bart Kale called for the meeting to be adjourned. Tom reminded everyone that the next meeting will be Thursday, August 23, 2018 at the Public Works office, 623 Sheridan St, Port Townsend. Kathleen Kler thanked the press for attending, it helps get the info out to the public. Bart moved that the meeting be adjourned, Kathleen seconded the motion, and all were in agreement.