HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.23.20 SWAC Minutes
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC)
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, January 23, 2020
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Public Works Conference Room
623 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, Washington
OPENING BUSINESS
Roll Call and Introductions – Bart Kale Chair
Committee Members Present:
Bart Kale, Chair & Citizen at Large Greg Brotherton, County Commissioner
Lisa Crosby, District #1 Tracy Grisman, District #1
Jenifer Taylor, District #2 Alysa Russell, Skookum
Brian Reid, City of Port Townsend Glenn Gately, County Conservation District
Chad Young, Waste Connections
Committee Members Absent
Samantha Janes, District #3
Staff Present:
Monte Reinders, Public Works Director Tom Boatman, Solid Waste (SW) Manager
Jerry Mingo, SW MRW Coordinator Chris Spall, Public Works Support Staff
George Puopolo, SW Operations Coordinator Laura Tucker, Public Health, SW Education
Guests/Visitors: Christopher Overman, Steve Gilmore, Francesco Tortorici
Quorum Determination: There is a quorum.
Approval of October 24, 2019 Draft of Minutes: Moved, second, and carried to approve the minutes as written.
Correspondence received for discussion: None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Manager’s Report – Tom Boatman
Tom distributed two documents presenting 2019 performance data. The first was a graph of Incoming
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and Shipped Recyclables. It showed MSW received and recovered recyclables
from 1993 to present and projected to the end of the Republic long haul contract past 2030. The second
document, titled SW at a Glance, had four graphs of data for 2016-2019: SW Revenues, SW Tonnage by Year,
Transaction by Commodity (SW, Yard Debris, Other) and Year, and Skookum Tonnages by Year.
When asked what was included in “other transactions,” Tom explained that it is waste received that is not
garbage or yard waste, such as white-goods (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners) that are disposed by
contract with Total Reclaim in the Tacoma area. Total Reclaim removes compressor oil and Freon before
recycling our white goods as scrap metal.
2. Discontinued Volunteer Styrofoam Collection/Disposal Program – Christopher Overman
This local volunteer program has been ongoing for 15 years. It has three main components: a collection/drop-
off site, a storage site, and transportation to the recycler. Recently, the program was put on pause due to the loss
of a collection site and uncertainty about transportation. Storage at Fort Worden continues. Christopher is
seeking help to either continue the program or come up with an alternative. To continue, a collection/drop-off
site that is sheltered from wind and rain is needed. While OlyCap has been providing transportation, that may
end soon due to changes in their travel routes. Christopher said the program accepts only clean #6 polystyrene.
About once a month, 10-12 bags are transported to Kent, the nearest recycling location. Cash donations are
used to buy large bags to hold the polystyrene, and are given to OlyCap to defray fuel costs. Christopher
contributes about an hour per week running the program. People that use this recycling program are thankful
for the service. There was discussion about SWAC lending support to continue this program.
3. Brinnon Recycling Drop-off Update – Jerry Mingo
Power Point slide presentation (2020 Recycling Brinnon &, Contam Reduction 01-23.pptx) about scheduled
(7/1/2020) closure of the drop-off recycle location at Dosewallips State Park. Will not impact campers but will
impact small residential population. A suitable location in Brinnon may not be found, and unmanned recycling
sites present contamination challenges. Residents can recycle when disposing of trash at Quilcene. Trash
collection site in Brinnon closed 25 years ago, and County has invested in Quilcene site to handle needs of
south JC residents. A suggestion was made to do a recycle collection event for that area.
4. Three Related Recycling Tasks – Jerry Mingo
Power Point slide presentation (2020 Recycling Brinnon &, Contam Reduction 01-23.pptx) on:
• Local recycling sustainability: Skookum to report this quarter on recycle stream analysis and
recommendations for sustainable recycling, which may include recommendations for changes to
recycle list. Any recommendations would go to SWAC for consideration and a recommendation to PW
Director for decision.
• Grant-funded outreach: Ecology LSWFA grant (July 2019 – June 2021) focused on contamination
reduction. Advised by State Ecology to continue planned contamination reduction tasks and delay tasks
where possible to include any approved recommendations.
• Contamination Reduction Outreach Plans (CROPs.) – A WA State response to State’s mandate to
reduce contamination and better define marketable recyclables. State Ecology submits CROP to
Legislature July 2020. Local government revise SWMPs by adding local CROP or adopting State’s
CROP by July 2021. Tom volunteered himself and Jerry for the regional taskforce.
5. Contamination Reduction Grant Tasks Update – Laura Tucker
Six months into two-year LSWFA Grant cycle. Due to deliverables in this grant, a pre-assessment of recycling
contamination is needed before moving into the anti-contamination campaign. Changed recycling flyer to show
contamination items at the top. “Blue is Recycling and Red is Garbage” anti-contamination video from Tracy
Grisman and Greg Brotherton. The last two weeks of March Waste Connections rolling out new program –
customers will be provided trash carts they must use. Each cart will have a hanger bag for literature such as the
new recycling flyer.
Additional discussion included:
Upgrades at Transfer Station have improved customers’ experience. Customers are grateful for the changes and
complaint levels are down. Flyer/card handed out for Repair Café on Feb. 29 from 10 AM – 2 PM at the
Community Center, 620 Tyler St. Requested that the previous recycling video be posted to the Solid Waste website.
ADJOURNMENT
Bart adjourned the meeting at 4:30 pm.
Next Meeting Date: March 26, 2020.