2010-11-03 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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MR. TORIGOE: I would really need to check on that. MS. O’HARA: I was curious because that’s a potential revenue source. And it could lead to other things. MS. NICHOLSON: Other questions? MS. WONG: I’ve got three. I’ll just ask them all at one time. Are you working with the Green Team? Two is, are you looking at any waste to energy program? And three, does your department write any grants? Or request any grants from federal sources or other sources? MR. TORIGOE: Do we work with the Green Team? Yes. We do have people who are involved in the Green Team particularly on the recycle side. I don’t know real specifics on that. Is there anything particular that you had in mind? MS. WONG: No, just, because I think they’re going to be building up what they’re doing and I wanted to make sure that they’re working in your area, cause I think that it’s an area that could really get the Green Team involved, the county’s Green Team. And waste to energy? MR. TORIGOE: As far a waste to energy is concerned, that is something that we’re keeping an open mind on. We see almost monthly and there are people who seek this information on various technology options. We are keeping track of what is coming in. And as we look at ongoing projects, we are on the look out for something that might work. We're also very wary that, we want to make sure that if we start seriously pursuing such a project, it’s something that has to have a track record within the United States that’s recognized who in terms of it’s technology as well as it’s regulatory feasibility. That’s always a big deal to make sure that EPA and the Department of Health will be able to support when we move in that direction. At this point, we don’t have anything that we feel is worth the county investing it, but as I said, we’re keeping our eyes open. In regard to grants, yes, the Wastewater Division received $7.5 million in ARRA funds to do a lot of these season projects and we are looking at other ARRA federal funding opportunities. MS. WONG: And does someone in your department write the grant proposals or do you hire out, or do you write it? Who writes it? MR. TORIGOE: Basically, I think we’ve been handling it pretty much in-house. MS. SAKO: They receive other state funding as well. MS. WONG: So, one of your staff people does their job and writes the grant? MR. TORIGOE: Yes. MS. SAKO: It’s like every place else in the county. MS. NICHOLSON: : Other questions? Ken. 21