HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.20.2022 SWAC Minutes DRAFT
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC)
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, January 20, 2022
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
NO IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE ALLOWED per Jefferson County RESOLUTION 45-21.
Meeting conducted via GoToMeeting
Public Access: (872) 240-3212; Access Code: 867-505-741#
OPENING BUSINESS
Meeting properly advertised and agenda posted on January 13, 2022.
Roll Call and Introductions – Bart Kale, Chair
Committee Members Present:
Bart Kale, Chair & Citizen at Large Lisa Crosby, District #1
Tracy Grisman, District #1 Tim Deverin, District #3
Alysa Thomas, Skookum Chad Young, Waste Connection
Committee Members Absent
Greg Brotherton, County Commissioner Jenifer Taylor, District #2
Steve King, City of Port Townsend Glenn Gately, Conservation District
Staff Present
Al Cairns, Solid Waste (SW) Division Manager Chris Spall, Public Works Support Staff
Laura Tucker, Public Health, SW Education
Guests/Visitors: David Pater, WA State Dept. of Ecology
Quorum Determination: There is a quorum.
Approval/Correction of Draft of Minutes for 12/02/2021 Regular Meeting: Tracy moved, Tim seconded, and
the motion was carried to approve the Dec. 02, 2021 minutes as written.
Correspondence received for discussion: None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Feedback/Questions from SWAC on the staff report
Questions and comments were given on:
• Port of Port Townsend Request – Al said the MRW will close on January 1, 2025. This gives the
County more time to determine if a new facility will be built and, if so, to plan for it.
• Environmental Center Improvements – Sharps collection boxes, similar to a mailbox, will be
installed at the Transfer Station and Quilcene site. The boxes will be clearly labeled. Sharps will
need to be in containers, such as a soda bottle, and then can be dropped into the collection box.
The box has a plastic bin inside to hold what is dropped into it.
• Paint Care – Language in Paint Care’s standard agreement requires County to provide additional
insurance. Other counties have removed that wording from the agreement. Al hopes the County
and Paint Care can have a signed agreement in the future. David Pater suggested talking to Mark
Cox at Grays Harbor County.
2. Capital Facility Replacement Planning Process & SWMP Update
Al talked about presentation he will give to BoCC on 1/24 to form a task force. The current facility
opened in 1993. A steady rise in population, increasing per capita annual tonnages, and an aging facility
are reasons to start the process of planning for a new facility. The task force will have approximately 18
members including representatives from various other local government agencies, SWAC citizen
representative, one per district, and County staff. Envision process taking 2 years and ending with a
recommendation to elected officials in Jan. 2024. Tracy would like A,I.R.E. included on the task force. Al
said this is a good time to look at feasibility of waste diversion.
3. Solid Waste Education Program (Laura Tucker, 20 minutes)
Laura showed a new recycle flyer that is set to be released March 1, 2022. It’s a simple layout
showing the four categories: glass, plastic & cans, corrugated cardboard, and mixed paper. The
back-side lists recycling locations, shows an inverted waste pyramid and photo for zero-waste
shopping. She also showed the new drop box signs for each category. Everyone was impressed
with the new flyer and signs.
4. Partner Updates
a. Skookum – The value of recyclables dropped significantly. Extreme weather and equipment
failure with a buyer were causes. OCC price dropped but not as bad as prices for plastics and
metals. Normal occurrence for this time of year. Weather will get better and things will pick up.
b. Waste Connections/Olympic Disposal, Chad Young – Volume still up considering time of
year.
c. City solid waste/recycling/composting – no City of Port Townsend representative at meeting
d. Tracy A.I.R.E. program – Working on handbook and finalizing application to send to Al.
Trying to get pilot program going. Will have sponsor to start the program.
5. Discussion (SWAC brainstorming)
Is the current State bill for producer responsible packaging viable? It had a committee hearing on January
18 but has not gone to the floor yet. Burden is on producers to deal with packaging. Similar bills have
passed in Maine and Oregon, both of which have passed bottle bills. Similar legislation has been in
existence in British Columbia and Europe for years. Packaging industry will push hard against the current
bill. Hard to get a bill like this through in a short session. May have to run it a couple years in a row
when issues are more well known to public.
Tracy wondered if we’ll get money through the national infrastructure bill. Al said there will be $250K
from County’s Capital Improvement funding for facility planning process.
Laura’s roll out of new recycling flyers include press release in Feb., update webpages with FAQS and
videos, social media posts, signage letting people know why things are different, ads in PDN, flyer in
March PUD bill, and classroom presentations in May & June with student contest for flyers.
3:45 Committee and Public Open Discussion
ADJOURNMENT
Bart adjourned the meeting at 4:29 pm. Next Meeting Date: March 24, 2022.
2022 Regular Meeting Dates
January 20 July 28
March 24 September 22
May 26 December 1