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Joint Special Meeting — March 26, 2025, 9:00 a.m.
Jefferson County Board of Commissioners
and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC)
Jefferson County Courthouse—First Floor Conference Room
1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA
CALL TO ORDER: The Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) Chair Tracy Grisman called the
SWAC meeting to order and conducted roll call. Commissioner Chair Heidi Eisenhour called the
Special Board of County Commissioners' meeting to order in the presence of Commissioner Greg
Brotherton and Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette. The purpose of the Special Meeting was to
allow the Commissioners to meet with the Solid Waste Advisory Committee(SWAC), and provide
comments and direction when necessary.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Chair Eisenhour called for public comments,and one comment was
received.
DISCUSSION re: Capital funding needs, recycling program, and glass to Portland,Oregon:
Public Works Solid Waste Manager Al Cairns was present to provide a presentation on the capital
fundings needs for the Solid Waste program, recycling program, and hauling of glass to Oregon. He
answered questions posed by the BOCC and SWAC members.
Topics that Manager Cairns sought direction from the BOCC included:
1. Should a capital surcharge be added to the current tipping fee to pay for much needed facility
improvements?
2. When the current recycling contract ends (March 31, 2026) should residential recycling services
be privatized and offered as curbside collection with payment made directly to the service
provider?
3. Should$6 be added to the current tipping fee to fund transport of glass to Oregon for recycling?
Manager Cairns' presentation reviewed the Solid Waste division's financial health, highlighting its
strong performance in social responsibility and environmental stewardship, but raising concerns about
inadequate capital reserves and projected 2025 operational shortfalls. He discussed the need for a capital
surcharge on tipping fees to address urgent infrastructure replacements and sustain operations until a
new facility can be built in approximately 10 years.
The presentation also addressed challenges in recycling, including high contamination rates and
subsidies. Manager Cairns recommended delaying action on glass recycling due to the high costs and
limited market options. BOCC and SWAC members discussed and deliberated on the issues presented.
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Joint BOCC Special Meeting/Solid Waste Advisory Committee(SWAC) March 26, 2025
Commissioner Dudley-Nollette excused herself from the remainder of the meeting at 10:51 a.m.
After discussion, Chair Eisenhour noted that she feels like there is a lot of support for the staff
recommendation regarding glass and requested a vote to indicate which members were in favor of
accepting the staff recommendation which reads "Public Works recommends against increasing the
tipping fee to fund glass recycling and for continued advocacy from the BOCC WSAC Legislative
Steering Committee representative for a bottle bill, such as the current HB 1607 to gain a long-term
viable regional market for glass."Clerk Gallaway asked for clarification if Chair Eisenhour was
conducting a poll amongst members?Chair Eisenhour stated that she is making a motion. Commissioner
Brotherton seconded the motion. Chair Eisenhour asked the BOCC and SWAC members in attendance,
who was in favor of the motion?All members in attendance approved the motion. The motion carried.
The BOCC and SWAC members agreed to hold an additional Special meeting,preferably before the
April 24, 2025 SWAC meeting. Staff will coordinate on the date and time of the next Joint Special
Meeting.
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT: Chair Eisenhour adjourned the Special Meeting of the
Board of County Commissioners at 11:00 a.m. until the next regular meeting or special meeting as
properly noticed.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
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