Solid Waste Advisory Commission

Athens-Clarke County Minutes of the Quarterly Meeting of the Solid Waste Citizens Advisory Committee Wednesday, August 28, 2019 Location of Meeting: Solid Waste Administrative Office 725 Hancock Industrial Way Athens, GA 30605 Present at Meeting: Commissioner Andy Herod, Larry Dendy, Jared Harper, Michael Brugger, Suku Janssen, Christy Tweedy, Abigail West, Abbie Dillon, Brooke Stocco, Reed Winckler, Mason Towe, and Susan Lyon (minutes). I. Welcome Commissioner Herod called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm. II. Public Comments – none III. Approval of Minutes: February 20, 2019 and May 22, 2019 A quorum was not present, therefore a vote could not be taken for the adoption of the minutes from the February and May meetings. IV. Division Reports (ATTACHMENT I & II) Suki reviewed Division reports in Attachments I and II. -Commissioner Herod asked how many tickets are being issued by the ACCPD for littering? That information is presented to the Litter Abatement Steering Committee. Can the Sheriff’s Department write citations/tickets for littering? -Jared Harper reported that litter is heavier once UGA has started the new school year and education is needed. It was suggested that Stacee or Stacy attended the next meeting to go over the findings of the Litter Survey. (Neither are available at the rescheduled Nov. meeting due to conflict with the KACCB Board meeting.) Commissioner Herod spoke to the fact that the behavior of littering would be changed if people understood the costs ($800,000 + spent last year on littering in our community) and how those costs could go to pay for bus routes, public safety, and other government programs. -In FY19, ACC paid $230,000 after revenues to Republic (Recommunity, previously) for processing fees due to current recycling markets. In comparison, ACC made $350,000 after processing fees in 2008. No change in the current recycling markets. A proposed new facility is on the SPLOST list for vote in November. Larry requested a talking point for members if questioned about the need for a new facility or for anyone who opposes the proposed SPLOST. Joe’s response will be sent to the group. -Commissioner Herod asked why ACC does not run the MRF ourselves. The private industry can market the material better than we can. -Commissioner Herod suggested more education about no plastic bags in recycling, even posting it on the sides of the recycling roll-offs at the drop off sites. -Commissioner Herod asked about the wording “at staff discretion” on the CHaRM flyer regarding fees. Suki explained that we have some weird items come in for recycling (different types of batteries). Andy is concerned that some items are being thrown away because of a fee. It may be a conversation that Mayor and Commission have in October when Suki is scheduled to make a presentation on recycling at the work session. She explained that some communities use property taxes to cover recycling costs. ACC is trying to break even on recycling without burdening the landfill enterprise fund. There will be some decisions to be made by M&C if they wish to keep our current level of recycling and KACCB programs or expand. Out of county CHaRM visitors should pay additional fees to use the CHaRM. -Have started doing commercial composting.  -Highlighted Joe’s visit to Washington D.C. to present to the Recycling Caucus. -Collections Survey is open until Sept. 6th. Currently have 700 submitted; goal is 1,000. -SW hosted 3 public input sessions regarding Collections. Attendance was under 50 for all three. Our consultant did a quick survey of inputs from the meeting: asked about zoning, eliminating self-hauling, county providing service to all citizens (from the inquiry of two Commissioners), interest in composting, get recycling picked up alternately with compost and leaf and limb. We are trying to grow some of our programs without asking for additional equipment or staff and keep rates low. We must stay competitive with the private haulers’ rates. Collections and landfill are enterprise funds and do not receive tax funds. Citizens were very clear about not changing leaf and limb service. Not much interest in the sessions in bulky waste pickup despite it being a problem in our community with illegal dumping. -All landfill usage is now in Oglethorpe County. All proceeds from metals brought to landfill for recycling is given to ACC 4-H program (Last check presented to 4-H was in June, 2019 in the amount for $14,000 for fiscal year FY19). V. Plastic Bag/Styrofoam restrictions – Mayor Girtz gave different committees assignments and the SWCAC is tasked with coming up with a draft ordinance by the end of calendar year 2019 eliminating plastic bags and styrofoam at point of purchase, including at least a 12-month phase-in time line. Committee should engage with retail and restaurant businesses to come up with alternatives to their use of these products. A time line for implementation should also be developed for the alternatives to be used at events on government property. It is going to taking additional time and meetings, possibly a subcommittee, to be able to research options and background information and prepare by the end of 2019. Once ready, we will need to get on a work session agenda. Larry requested a special meeting be called to devote to a presentation by UGA Bag the Bag group on the research of plastic bags and styrofoam in other communities. Agreed that plastic bags and styrofoam should be kept separate. Will begin with plastic bags. Susan will send out a doodle poll to schedule a special meeting. Commissioner Herod suggested that we check with the Attorney about the legality of charging a fee for a plastic bag vs. banning bags. VI. Next meeting is scheduled for November 20, 2019 The meeting was informally adjourned at 6:45 pm by Commissioner Herod. A quorum was not present, so a vote was not possible for an official adjournment. Respectfully submitted by Susan Lyon 11-6-2019 Minutes approved as submitted on 11.06.19