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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.26.2022 SWAC Minutes DRAFT JEFFERSON COUNTY Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) Special Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 26, 2022 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Virtual Meeting – Anyone may attend by Zoom Meeting ID 93595749934 (Passcode 499738) OR call 253-215-8782 Meeting ID 935 9574 9934 OPENING BUSINESS Meeting agenda posted on website on May 24, 2022. Roll Call and Introductions – Bart Kale, Chair Committee Members Present: Bart Kale, Chair & Citizen at Large Greg Brotherton, County Commissioner Tracy Grisman, District #1 Tim Deverin, District #3 Glenn Gately, Conservation District Alysa Thomas, Skookum Bliss Morris, Alternate, City of Port Townsend Chad Young, Waste Connection Committee Members Absent Lisa Crosby, District #1 Jenifer Taylor, District #2 Staff Present Al Cairns, Solid Waste (SW) Division Manager Justin Miskell, Solid Waste Operations Coordinator Chris Spall, Public Works Support Staff Laura Tucker, Guests/Visitors: David Pater, WA State Dept. of Ecology, Charles Law, Tom Thiersch, Quorum Determination: There is a quorum. Public Comment: Some of the comments and questions were on the meeting being advertised as a special meeting instead of a regular meeting, the upcoming OPMA changes taking effect in June, asking meeting visitors to give their names is an OPMA violation, metal lids not being accepted for recycling, and if capturing food waste would be discussed at this meeting. Al said changes to the SWAC bylaws will address the upcoming OPMA changes. Laura Tucker said recycling FAQ page does mention recycling metal lids by putting them into metal cans and smashing the opening closed so the lid doesn’t come out. Greg thought the 11th County Emergency proclamation allowing for virtual meetings does not require a physical location be given. Al said he’s talking to Ecology about obligations for HB 1799 and that those obligations will be a consideration in the planning process for the facility replacement. Approval/Correction of Draft of Minutes for 4/28/2022 meeting. Greg moved, Tim seconded, and motion carried to approve the 4/28/2022 minutes as written. Correspondence received for discussion: None OLD BUSINESS 1. Response to recycling questions from previous meeting Cardboard toilet paper tubes can be recycled as mixed paper. Greg appreciative the Recycling FAQ page answers questions like this so we can keep the recycling flyer messaging clear and simple. 2. Response to question regarding liability of SWAC members Al said outside of gross misconduct SWAC members are protected from tort liability. NEW BUSINESS 1. Feedback/Questions on Committee Reports - Al said no committee in formation at this time 2. Feedback/Questions from SWAC on the staff report. Al said there is not enough wood waste generated to make the clean wood diversion program viable. Standard lumber lengths used in construction has reduced the amount of waste, and what is generated is set out for people to take for free. Tracy asked about doing another feasibility study because the last one was done in the winter when there’s not as much construction. Al said amount of waste will be the same even with more construction in spring. Also, not enough staff time to do another study. What about wood waste from demolition? Al said C&D not feasible, cost prohibitive. Good news is that farmers are collecting available wood waste for biochar. Al is talking to the vendor who did the recent tire collection even about cost of doing the event again. Cost is about $5,000 to $7,000 which would be worth it. Charge for tire disposal at Transfer Station is less than what is charged at Quilcene. Working to come up with a flat fee to rectify this. Recycle tire rubber is going to outside Portland and being used to retread tires. 3. SWAC By-laws revisions for approval of SWAC members Al asked if for comments or concerns about the changes to the bylaws. It is a substantial revision of the current bylaws, and is thanks to the work of Philip Hunsucker, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. Tracy asked about the 2-year term. Greg mentioned that with not an over-abundance of people wanting to serve, it’s okay for members to serve several terms. For the bylaws to take effect, the SWAC needs to vote to approve the revisions, Bart to sign the new bylaws, and then forward the document to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) for approval. Bart called for a motion to accept the draft version as presented. Tracy made a motion to approve the revised bylaws and Chad seconded the motion. The motion carried. Bart will stop by Public Works office to sign the bylaws so they can be forwarded to the BoCC for approval. 4. Partner Updates a. Skookum (Alysa Thomas) –commodity prices for cardboard are holding, mixed paper is doing better, aluminum right there. Not as steady as in the past as to what is coming in. Cardboard is coming in fast and furious. Illness has slowed things done. Doing best they can to get product out to the market. b. Waste Connections/Olympic Disposal (Chad Young) Business as usual, seeing a lot of new subscriptions in County. Tracy asked if people will want bigger trash receptacles to capture the plastics that are will no longer being accepted for recycling come June 1. Chad said he’s not aware any requests. c. City solid waste/recycling/composting (Bliss Morris) Nothing to bring before SWAC d. A.I.R.E. program (Tracy Grisman) – Adrianna met with Al, Justin, and Taylor Webster, of Cascade Connections. The pilot program is starting on June 6. Safety is the most important issue and Adrianna and Micah will be aware of this as they glean from the tipping floor. Alysa asked that if they want to glean recycling items they first coordinate with her. Tracy is grateful to have the time to launch the pilot of this program to work out issues. 5. Future Agenda Items SWAC Discussion as time allows When possible, Greg wants to do a field trip to track recycling and garbage down the line. Al attended yesterday’s Clallam County’s SWAC meeting and told them he will keep them in the loop on our facility replacement planning process, in particular on the site-location. He asked them to consider doing a joint SWAC meeting with Jefferson County early spring of next year when he should have info from the replacement planning process to share. Bart has participated in previous joint SWAC meetings and would like to see them done at least once a year. Tracy is in favor of this. Greg thought it sounded like a great idea. Tracy brought up the remote and in person repair events. The Quilcene HS event is a good example of ways to keep things out of the landfill. Many different organizations and partners are working to keep things out of the landfill. Chad wanted to clarify that the City of Sequim is still taking glass for recycling. Public Committee Period (15 min.) None ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 3:58 pm. Next meeting will also be virtual. Bart moved to adjourn the meeting and Tracy seconded the motion. Next Meeting Date: July 28, 2022.