TILLAMOOK COUNTY Solid Waste Advisory Committee Meeting

Transcription

1 TILLAMOOK COUNTY Solid Waste Advisory Committee Meeting DATE: April 29, 2008 PLACE: Tillamook 911 Stan Sheldon Board Room rd Street, Tillamook, OR MEMBERS PRESENT: Kathleen Ryan, Sandy Carbaugh, Laura Leebrick, Jim Nelson, Shawn Reiersgaard, Jon Wehage, Clyde Zeller, Lee Walker (alternate), Paul Carbaugh (alternate) MEMBERS ABSENT: David Mattison (alternate) STAFF PRESENT: Liane Welch (Public Works Director), Jennifer Purcell (Solid Waste Coordinator), Megan Wright (Recorder) GUESTS PRESENT: Dora Norwood, David R DeSau, Aaron Averill, Heather Zwald, Richard Felley CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Kathleen Ryan called the meeting to order at 3:05 P.M. with a quorum present. Liane requested that the Agenda Item 6d, reported by Deputy David DeSau, be moved to become Agenda Item 3a. Request was granted. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Jim moved to accept the minutes of January 8, 2008 as written. Laura seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. AGENDA ITEM 3: Introduction of new Solid Waste Coordinator Jennifer Purcell and of new office staff member Megan Wright by Public Works Director Liane Welch. AGENDA ITEM 3a (formerly 6d): Solid Waste Complaint Update reported on by David DeSau. The numbers of complaints we receive have increased. We have some hard core junk collectors and some of the complaints are continuants from In the case of Randy Boge, the DEQ is pursuing it because it is so big. So far the DEQ has not acted but it is under investigation. Another case is Sherwin Jones with the towing company in Cloverdale and all of the dumped and abandoned vehicles. It could take a year or more to clean it all up. Liane noted that the process begins with notifying the people to who the complaint is brought against first with a letter, then notices, then David issues citations. David noted that DEQ fines are higher and that it is either fines or jail. The higher fines are part of the reason why DEQ is pursing the complaint against Randy Boge. David would like to modify the County s Solid Waste Ordinance fine schedule. Paul asked about the nature of the increase in complaints and David explained that it is mostly private property AGENDA ITEM 4: 2007/2008 YTD Solid Waste and Sinking Fund Budgets reported on by Liane Welch. Liane informed the board that the budgets are in good shape even with the work at the Manzanita and Tillamook Transfer Stations and that the Sinking Fund has not been completely used. Jennifer included copies of both the budgets in the packets sent out before the meeting. Liane explained the YTD sheet and commented that the forecast doesn t work all that well for capital projects. Not all of the money in some cases has been used in the budget. For example, there have not been any no-charge disposals, tire events, lately and we are not having one this year but that money is still in the budget. Also, we were waiting for new legislation coming out

2 about computers. Clyde asked if the funds in the YTD Solid Waste Sinking Fund under building improvements, in general expansion, are for the transfer stations between now and the end of this fiscal year. Liane responded that it was so, until June 30 th. Liane commented that it is a good budget and that it is well maintained. AGENDA ITEM 5: Jennifer gave an update regarding the Tillamook and Manzanita Transfer Station capital projects. The majority of the work has been wrapped up at the Tillamook Transfer Station. The waste oil tanks are in place and the new scale has been delivered and the remaining work should be done by the week s end. That will need to sit for 30 days before traffic can flow over it at which point the old scales will then be closed. That is all that needs to be finished for the upgrade and it should be completed by the end of June. Paul asked about the approach whether it would be concrete or asphalt and Aaron said the base is done with gravel and it will be filled with asphalt. Clyde asked about the striping. Aaron said they were thinking about putting arrows and Enter and Do Not Enter in the inbound and outbound lanes. Laura said that in her experience arrows are not enough and that they found that the words Inbound and Outbound worked the best. Jennifer sent around pictures of the Manzanita Transfer Station that Rich had sent. The office building is in place, looks great and will be able to move into soon. The gravel access road is complete. The pole building is nearly complete and should be ready in time for the Trash Bash. Z-wall project: Canopy #2 is moving and that work will be completed by end of June. Open projects closed by end of fiscal year. Shawn asked if they had been able to get the brush ground up and Rich said that they have been delayed because of the weather but hope to get it done soon. Jennifer mentioned that there are some upcoming projects that will be rolled over. In the process for putting together design build specs for the recycling building at Averill s and it is expected that those will be sent out shortly. We have the final specs on the storm water management plan and will be going out for bid on that. (This is for re-grading the existing transfer station so we can sample the storm water more appropriately.) Also, we have received the DEQ grant for the household hazardous waste cabinet. Jennifer will be meeting with Leslie from DEQ in the beginning of June to start the process for the requirements of that grant. It was asked when this should be done and Liane said hopefully before the rain season. Jennifer said it should be done before subsequent events. It was asked of Rich if he had everything inline to be done by the end of 2007/2008. Rich didn t believe that there would be any carryover. AGENDA ITEM 6 - NEW BUSINES: AGENDA ITEM 6a: CART M Limited Operations Request; everyone had previously read the letter. Clyde had a question about the developing new material handling system. Rich said that they are going to close in September for redesign, reorganization, signage, and striping. Clyde wanted to see a redesigned map and Rich said he would get him a copy. The closure will be for a total of 7 days in September (no more than a week) and 3 of those days they would normally be closed. AGENDA ITEM 6b: Nehalem Recycle Shack; Jennifer send around photographs. She appeared before the Nehalem City Council earlier in the month and the city decided that they want to keep the recycle shack. At the meeting the city and Western Oregon Waste (WOW) discussed how to best manage the shack. Jennifer understood from the franchise agreement between WOW and the city that WOW would be responsible. The county is the owner of the property where the shack is currently located. So far, there has been an exchange between the parties to set up a meeting to discuss the situation. Laura, representing WOW, informed the committee that this process has been going on for a few years. She said that the mess at the shack has gotten increasingly worse with worse things being left; last month the driver found drug paraphernalia for the first time. WOW is talking to the city about a stepped approach: an educational campaign with the threat out there that a few people may ruin it for everyone. WOW may even consider giving the shack back to the county and just have a highly visible, modified drop box that takes only the 3 materials that they are required to collect.

3 Sandy brought up the liability of the situation and wondered if there was any volunteer organization that would run it. Laura brought up the point about who would be ultimately responsible for it. The county is the owner of the property. Liane said that the city wants the recycle shack but her solution to the city about the problem was to let the people drive to CART M but the city thought that it wouldn t work and the people would just dump their garbage there still. Sandy mentioned that when they closed down the recycling centers in Beaver, Cloverdale, and Neskowin they have a very successful, clean recycling center in Pacific City that is central for South County. The recycling centers that were shutdown were like the one in Neskowin. One of the effects that have been seen since these were closed down is that some of the people who live in Neskowin and shop in Lincoln City take their recycling there and some of the people who live in Beaver and shop in Tillamook take their recycling there. Liane asked Jennifer to work with the city of Nehalem about the recycle shack. The county does not have the time or resources to staff the recycle shack. Laura said that the city has no mechanism to enforce whereas the county does as the property owner but it is expensive. Sandy commented that the public expects the convenience. Jennifer said that the city expressed the concern that if the recycle shack is closed then the garbage will simply be dumped elsewhere. Sandy mentioned that after the closing of the south county recycles shacks and with their new setup they had no problem with dumping. Lee said that is sounds like Netarts- Oceanside moved their recycling to private property and suggested that the city of Nehalem move the recycle shack to city property and control. Kathleen mentioned that the idea had been mentioned to Mr. Nitzsche. He does not want the responsibility. The city wants the shack but not the responsibility. Lee said that the city doesn t have the choice; if the community wants it then they must to support it. John said he thinks the same as Lee. What a small percentage of people do with their garbage effects us all. The recycle shack needs a better location and monitoring. Shawn agreed. Kathleen expressed that she believes the county should find a way to get rid of the shack. John said that the county doesn t have the manpower and the city needs to take responsibility. Kathleen questioned whether or not the committee should take a stand on the issue. Shawn expressed that the current situation is intolerable. Laura advised the county that the liability issue is huge. The city of Nehalem has no enforcement resources. Liane said that the north county road crew keeps an eye on the shack but if the ballot measure doesn t pass then there won t be a work crew up north anymore. Jennifer expressed her concern about the drug paraphernalia and the grade school. One option for WOW to put recycling bins there and have the shack removed. Laura agreed that it could be done but that it might not solve the problem if there was no deterrent for dumping. Sandy suggested that the committee make a motion to advise the county about the situation. Kathleen: Shawn suggests that the situation is intolerable and that we do not want to see it continue in this condition. If [the shack] is to continue there it needs to be secure. Sandy: the liability. Kathleen said that Tillamook County says that they will provide the public a safe and secure way to legally dispose of their trash. Paul suggested that they make a motion because of the liability and health issues regarding the trash and drug paraphernalia; being unmanned and insecure, that SWAC is in favor of removing the shack unless the city moves it to a secure location where its citizens can take care of it. Shawn suggested a change to the motion that if an agreement cannot be made with the city before the end of June, then the committee will suggest the removal of the shack. Laura said that the concern is by the county as the property owner. Shawn said that the motion could be that SWAC finds the current operation of the recycle shack intolerable and it is contrary to our mission and the safety of the citizens. If we cannot come to a solution by the end of June, we recommend that the shack be removed. Paul seconded it. Kathleen asked for the committees vote and they all were in favor; except Laura abstained. There was no opposition and Kathleen said that the motion carries. Shawn said that there should be a follow up with a letter to the city and Kathleen suggested that Jennifer could do the letter.

4 AGENDA ITEM 6c: Bay City Recycle shack proposal. Jennifer said that they were originally thinking of moving the Nehalem shack to Bay City but now she makes the recommendation that they move the old Safeway recycle shack to Bay City. Spoke with Doug Walker about the usage of the shack and he said that the usage of the shack went down considerably with the closing of the store. Also that Kiwanis does not intend to bring their newspaper recycling trailer back. Tillamook City and DEQ have approved of the removal. Bay City s shack was blown apart during the storm and they would like to have it as soon as possible. Liane said that the location where Bay City kept their recycle shack was just fine and that there were no problems. Laura suggested for the future, updated recycling collection for easier removal and disposal for better efficiency. Clyde talked about the recycling at the campground and the trailer bins that can be lifted by a forklift so that no one hurts their back. AGENDA ITEM 6e: Electronic Distribution Consideration. Jennifer asked the committee if the could begin distributing the information [agenda, minutes, etc.] electronically to the committee. Kathleen thought it was a good idea. Jennifer talked about also putting it on the website and that the documents will be PDF s. Will try this for the next meeting. Dora asked for date changes to still be sent out by card. Shawn suggested that they be told ahead of time what documents need to be printed so that they could bring them to the meeting. Liane said they will bring extra copies. Dora suggested that they print the meeting notices in the Headlight Herald and Liane said that they always did. AGENDA ITEM 7: Discussion of Rate Increase Reports These are actually supposed to be recommendations to accept or reject because they have to be approved to be effective June 30 th. There is no meeting in May scheduled. Scheduling another meeting in either May or June was talked about to give more time to discuss the rate increases before giving a recommendation. Discussion was held and finally decided on coming to a decision about what to recommend during the current meeting because of time constraints. WOW is the exception for this coming budget year because they budgeted for increases last year so they won t be increasing this year. Jennifer created a spreadsheet to compare and contrast the haulers but they do their rates so differently that it made it difficult but she would be happy to forward it to the interested. Sandy said that she believed that the rate increases weren t at all unreasonable. AGENDA ITEM 7a: City Sanitary Service: Kathleen asked Lee if these were the same fees as those presented to the city, the same menu and he agreed that they were; same menu but different prices. County rates higher than city rates and there is no rate increase for the roll cart to encourage its usage. Hope to have people choose roll carts. Shawn asked about the health care. Lee responded that they use to have the $10/copay and now it is a $20/copay. Shawn made a motion to recommend approval of the rate increases for City Sanitary Service to the BOCC and it was seconded by Jim. All were in favor of it (Lee abstained) and it passed. AGENDA ITEM 7b: Nestucca Valley Sanitary Service: Sandy said that it is pretty straight forward, based on the CPI with a 4% rate of inflation which is not necessarily fuel costs. They are the furthest out. Last year the vacation rental management companies were asking for second stops which threw off the truck routes. A couple of years ago they started an extra stop truck charge and this year gone further and increased it. Trying to direct the homeowners and vacationers to use larger receptacles and separate out their recyclables through a letter sent directly to them. Laura moved to recommend the increases put forth in the Nestucca Valley Sanitary Service rate proposal and Jim seconded. All were in favor (Sandy abstained) and the motion passed. AGENDA ITEM 7c: Oceanside Sanitary Service: Heather reported that there are not rate increases this year but wanted to add a few different services for vacation rentals; rates for accommodations. Shawn motioned to recommend approval for the Oceanside Sanitary Service and Paul seconded. All were in favor and the motion carried.

5 AGENDA ITEM 7d: R Sanitary Service: No one from the company was present. Clyde asked when the last time they came in for a rate increase and Jim responded that it was last year and that was the first time in four years. Kathleen seemed to feel that the rates were in line, that there was nothing outstanding. Sandy motioned to approve of the rate increase and Jim seconded. All were in favor and it passed. AGENDA ITEM 7e: Western Oregon Waste: Laura reported for WOW that there is not a rate increase for Tillamook County customers this year and that there is only some minor changes made to the rate sheets as well as some possible change to medical waste rates. WOW anticipated an increase in fuel costs last year and accounted for them in last year s rate increases. WOW also came up with a new methodology, the E Factor, to help encourage people to use larger containers and be more efficient; it has helped. Kathleen asked if they could take some of their short loads to the Manzanita transfer station. Laura said that she isn t sure if it is feasible but they are discussing it. WOW is looking at it for the future but right now just beginning to look at it if it is possible to do in an emergency situation. Laura abstained from the vote. Sandy motioned to accept the presented materials from WOW with the changes in service as presented and Jon seconded it. All were in favor. AGENDA ITEM 8: Review 2008/2009 Solid Waste & Sinking Fund Budgets: Liane said that the Solid Waste Budget Committee met yesterday and she will send the SWAC board member comments to them for consideration. A change can be made to the budget in June if it is significant. Shawn pointed out that they usually discuss the budget at the SWAC meetings before it goes to the budget committee but this year this didn t happen and he wanted it to be clear that he and Sandy did not speak on behalf of the board because they didn t have any consensus about the budget. The budget committee did approve of the present budget. Liane said that there are the two budgets, the Solid Waste budget and the Solid Waste Sinking Fund Budget. She briefly walked the committee through the budgets. Health insurance was expected to go up 20% but it only went up 5%. The Solid Waste Coordinator was hired at 0.8 time and half of the Office Specialist position is paid by this budget. The Road Department has been subsidizing the Solid Waste Department for a number of years and based on the Road Departments budget it is unacceptable. So changes were made to correct this matter. Liane continued to touch on the highlights of the budget and some of the changes. Liane mentioned that Jennifer would like to significantly increase the outreach for the recycling program so that has a larger budget this year. No charge disposal money general goes towards community and beach clean ups. Jim thought it was a good budget. Shawn made a motion to recommend the Solid Waste Budget for approval to the County Commissioners as presented and modified; Jim seconded. All were in favor and the motion carried. Sandy made a motion to recommend approval of the 08/09 Solid Waste Sinking Fund Budget to the as presented and modified and Laura seconded. All were in favor and the motion carried. AGENDA ITEM 10: Update to the 2008 SWAC Meeting: Jennifer recommended moving the November meeting from Veteran s Day to the following week; Tuesday, November 18, Lightly discussed working on ordinance to be able to bring before the board soon. The ordinance sub-committee is Clyde, Kathleen, and Sandy. AGENDA ITEM 9: Public Comment: Dora wanted to talk about global warming and other world events. She read a brief news article. She said that she thinks that SWAC should include more issues than just local ones. Rich thanked SWAC and all for funding towards the Manzanita Transfer Station. AGENDA ITEM 11: The meeting was adjourned at 5:05pm