2017-11-28 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

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58% comes from the commercial haulers. Adding to the costs is the mixed waste management. It costs the County $170 per ton to manage recycled material. All of this comes from their Solid Waste budget. They are as generous and as far-reaching as they can possibly be in this County in taking care of this issue, though they are always being accused of not doing enough. If they get this money, they will try to do more. The Mayor has said that none of the money needs to go back to the General Fund—the department can keep it. With the money from the increase, they are looking at three major items: The first is upgrading and standardizing all of the transfer stations. They also want to do more greenwaste collecting, such as in Hawi, and have chippers to do more. The second thing is that starting in January 2018, the polystyrene plan will be implemented, and they will need someone to manage that. They will also be bringing before the Council a full anti-litter campaign, and they will be asking for the same person to manage both the polystyrene plan and anti-litter campaign. The third thing is they are looking for another project manager to oversee the contract with Waste Management, which will be up for re-negotiation in April. Director Kucharski explained that the bill before them will come before the Council on December 4, 2017. If it passes, it will modify Chapter 20 of the Code. He needs the EMC to review the bill prior to the Council meeting, as there is a requirement for them to provide a recommendation to the Council on whether or not they are in support of it. The December 4 meeting is before the Finance Committee, not the Environmental Management Committee, as the bill deals with fees. If the Council were to review the bill before the EMC did, it would refer the bill to the EMC for a recommendation as to its approval or non-approval, and there would be only 45 days from the Council meeting to submit the EMC’s input. He did not want to miss that deadline. Vice Chair Bennett asked whether the bill would impact only the commercial haulers, and Director Kucharski said yes. Vice Chair Bennett wondered whether the bill, if passed, would have the unintended consequence or more trash thrown along the road. Director Kucharski said he expects the increase to be passed through from the haulers to the customers. However, it has to be done. They are continually asked to do more with less. Waste Management has increased its tipping fees to the County, there are salaries that are increased every year, and there is the CPI increase on the composting. Motion and vote: Vice Chair Bennett said he would entertain a motion in support of the bill. Commissioner Olson so moved, Commissioner Vidgen seconded the motion, and all commissioners present voted aye. Director Kucharski asked the commissioners to send a letter to the Council, showing their support of the bill. Vice Chair Bennett said he would work with the EMC’s secretary on getting the letter out. e. Election of 2018 Commission Chair and Vice Chair. 7