2006-04-06 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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service. It could bankrupt the County if its goal were that every resident and commercial facility would have access to County sewer facilities. The Chair asked that, when the DEM says there is no general fund money actually dedicated, whether the DEM was in a sense floating. Mr. Ho said there is no guaranteed budget. They have certain funds coming in, for new planning and new sewer systems that would go for state revolving funds, which essentially is bond money the state would guarantee, but they would have to stand in line for that. The DEM can only handle so much with its staffing and borrowing ability. He said that regarding the vehicle disposal funds and recycling, they go for grant money and try to add on new programs. Funding is iffy. The bottle redemption container bill brought in new revenues and added two new employees. This bill has helped divert tons of glass away from the landfill. What the DEM is authorized to do about the transfer stations and landfills, however, is dependent on what the Mayor and Council approve and grant. The Chair asked if Business and Technical Services were funded through the administration, and Ms. Bauman said they are funded Linder the general fund. The Chair asked if both divisions are understaffed, and both Ms. Bauman and Mr. Ho said yes. Mr. Ho said they are recruiting for the vacant positions. Ms. Bauman said the Mayor has approved additional positions for the 2006 -07 budget, but it is difficult to get all the positions you need right away. The Chair asked if there is a fee or penalty imposed for illegal dumping, and Mr. Ho said there was not, but that he wished there were. He said that would be a state issue, that uniformity would be needed across the counties. The Chair asked why that could not be a County issue, involving the Police Department; and Mr. Ho explained that Ms. Bell was heavily involved in discussions with the Prosecutor's Office and Police, and it did not result in police garbage enforcement. The hope in raising tipping and residential fees is that it would bring in enough revenues to beef up the enforcement side. The Chair asked if they would have to impose a penalty, and Mr. Ho said yes, that it would accompany the effort. He explained that the DEM relies heavily on volunteer efforts for clean -ups, which does not adequately address the problem. The Chair asked, with regarding to the mandate on hooking up within a service area, whether the DEM was in conjunction with engineers in the building permit process. That is, will a cesspool system be denied if the area has a sewer system? Mr. Ho said yes, that when a new building is planned, the Planning Department and Public Works Department check with the DEM on the status of the area. The DEM informs them whether they are accessible and need to hook up if they build. In systems put in in the 1960's, there may be no lateral to the sewer main, though the main goes past the property. In those situations, people are technically not required to hook up. They have other options, such 10