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future contracts for the County have educational components. Chair Bennett said that was the <br />next item on the current agenda. <br /> <br /> Commissioner Fritz suggested that DEM have glossy, laminated pictures posted at <br />transfer stations showing the recycling information. Mr. Hayducsko said they do have some <br />signage but it could be improved. Anyone who wants to see the signage can contact the office. <br /> <br /> Commissioner Neff said the EMC went through the issue of getting information into the <br />schools when she first became a commissioner. Kids need to be taught their responsibilities <br />regarding what they eat, wear, and live in. Education would be far more powerful if all the kids <br />were involved. It is a vast void if we don’t have the funds. There has to be a plan to obtain the <br />funds. Lack of funds is a lame thing to argue about. Commissioner Osborne said it would be a <br />small investment with a huge long-term impact return. <br /> <br /> Vice Chair Olson said they need to come up with a methodology to get all the recycling <br />funded at the point of purchase. The money needs to be obtained at the front end, not the back. <br />Getting the information into the schools will make a difference. <br /> <br /> Commissioner Gaffney said he agreed with the concept of earmarking funds from the <br />budget for education, but there should also be funding available at the state and federal level. He <br />asked Mr. Hayducsko if there was a process for DEM to pursue other resources, and Mr. <br />Hayducsko said yes, they devote time to researching and trying to capture additional funds. <br /> <br /> Commissioner Gaffney asked if there was a development person on staff, and Mr. <br />Hayducsko said no. They have a long list of programs they manage, such as the HI-5 and <br />recycling programs, and they could use more help. Commissioner Osborne said if the EMC can <br />help, just let them know. <br /> <br />b. Discuss recommending to DEM that when it contracts with contractors for <br />things like recycling and reuse of water, an educational component is <br />included. <br /> <br /> Commissioner Osborne asked how feasible it is to add a dedicated educational <br />component to contracts. Director Kucharski the current HER composting contract requires an <br />educational component. It takes a significant amount of money to compost and mulch. When <br />the contract is renegotiated, he is not sure if that component will remain. When the Styrofoam <br />bill was passed, part of it required an educational program as part of the implementation. They <br />have a new recycling coordinator who will be used for Styrofoam education, and there are plans <br />after the current budget cycle to go to the County Council with an anti-litter program. <br /> <br /> Commissioner Osborne asked if the educational component would remain in the HER <br />contract, and Director Kucharski said he is not involved in the day-to-day negotiations on it, but <br />it was part of the original contract. It says an educational program is required to incur utilization <br />of the mulch and compost produced. It does not go into recycling greenwaste and has not been a <br />problem to date. <br /> <br />8 <br /> <br />