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MINUTES OF A
REGULAR MEETING OF DATE: January 10, 2002 TIME: 2:00 pm PLACE: NU-BLEND Paints PRESENT: Policy
Committee Members PRESENT:
DOES Staff
Others
In Attendance ABSENT:
Policy Committee Members DOES Staff Sarah Brugger, Public Affairs Coordinator Sue Magness, Education Specialist Lynn White, Education Assistant Tammy Wenhame, Public Affairs Specialist I. CALL TO ORDER II. CLERK'S
REPORT B. Additions/Changes
to the Agenda
A. Finance SubCommittee Report - December 13, 2001 and January 10, 2002 Mr. Graham stated the Finance SubCommittee reviewed the tipping fee receipts and determined that as of November, 2001, the District is on target for securing the $2.5 million budget.
The Finance SubCommittee reviewed the expenditures and recommended approval of SWR 01/2002 which covers expenditures from November 1 - December 31, 2001. Dr. O'Reilly motioned approval of SWR 01/2002. Dr. Geis seconded and SWR 01/2002 was approved by acclamation. IV. POLICY ITEMS A. Cinergy: Application to
ODNR for Scrap Tire Market Development Grant Mr. Carter discussed how Cinergy heard of the Market Development Grant, processes that are involved, the benefits of using tire derived fuel, and their desire to participate in the grant process through the District. After a question and answer session, Dr. O'Reilly moved to recommend approval of the Scrap Tire Market Development Grant application and for the District to forward the appropriate paperwork to ODNR. Dr. Geis seconded and the motion was approved.
Mr. Portune complimented and thanked Mr. Gwyn and Dr. Geis for serving on the Policy Committee for the past 4 years. Mr. Portune presented Mr. Gwyn and Dr. Geis a certificate of appreciation for their service on the District Policy Committee and their commitment to the environment and best interests of Hamilton County on behalf of the Policy Committee and Environmental Services Staff. Mr. Gwyn and Dr. Geis thanked the Policy Committee for giving them the opportunity to serve and how much they enjoyed it. Mr. Portune nominated Tony DiPuccio and Carl Evert for the Generator Representative and Public Member positions of the Policy Committee. Mr. Graham moved approval for the two new committee members. Mr. Corman seconded. The three out of four statutory members present were in favor and the motion was approved (Mr. Portune, Mr. Corman, and Mr. Graham). Mr. Graham stated that under the law, only the statutory members of the Policy Committee were permitted to vote.
Mr. Aluotto discussed the background and current status involved in Dr. O'Reilly's original July 12, 2001 motion. Dr. O'Reilly stated that the original motion stated the following: The Policy Committee requests the Commissioners, in consultation with the Presiding Judge of Municipal Court and the Prosecutor, to propose to the General Assembly appropriate legislation for the creation of an Environmental Division of Hamilton County Municipal Court. Mr. Portune requested that the motion be amended to allow for a broader category of offense and to make those offenses consistant with the discussions that are happening now in partnership with the City of Cincinnati. Mr. Portune also requested, from a Commissioners prospective, when the Board is going to be asked to take action on this, the research, data, and the support for this has to be there in great detail and in great depth. From that perspective, not just on the need, but also what is the likelihood of this court being self sustaining because it is all going to come down to a dollars and cents question. People may agree with the idea and concept but if resources are being pulled away from Municipal Courts dealing with traditional criminal offenses or a judges time dealing with traditional criminal offenses to deal with this, the likelihood of it being supported from a Board level and General Assembly level is not great. Mr. Portune stated that he thinks that the data that is present will allow a reasonable decision to be made and that this has the likelihood of being somewhat self sustaining. This will require Staff help in marshaling that and pulling all of that together. On those two fronts, if the motion can be amended coupled with that request from Staff, Mr. Portune stated he would recommend that the Policy Committee adopt the motion. Dr. O'Reilly accepted Mr. Portune's amendment and amended it further by changing "Environmental Division" to "Community Offenses". Dr. O'Reilly stated if his motion passes, he will set up a meeting with Judge Grady and Michael Allen and speak with them to find out how to advance the proposed motion. Mr. Corman seconded Dr. O'Reilly's amended motion. All were in favor and the amended motion was approved.
Mr. Aluotto stated that at the November 8, 2001 Policy Committee meeting, there was discussion relating to the District's fee structure. At that meeting, Staff recommended that the District proceed with allowing Eastman and Smith to put together an analysis detailing how an alternative fee structure would be implemented in Hamilton County and how questions of law would be addressed in any new fee structure. Mr. Aluotto stated that the Policy Committee requested that Staff first receive a quote on this work. Eastman and Smith informed Staff that this work could be completed for a price not to exceed $2,500. Mr. Graham stated for the record, this should be contingency planning and not the first step in implementing. Raising fees is a last resort and the District has other options if financial difficulties occur. After discussion, Dr. O'Reilly motioned to approve. Dr. Geis seconded. All were in favor and the motion was approved.
Mr. Aluotto stated that the District received the Prosecutor Opinion regarding allowable RRI uses. Copies were made and distributed to the Policy Committee just prior to the meeting. The Prosecutor was of the opinion that a lot of flexibility can and should be given to the communities of Hamilton County in terms of how they use the RRI grant funds. Specifically, the opinion states "there is nothing in the solid waste management plan approved by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency that would prevent you from reviewing and amending your guidelines to allow other uses for the subject incentive funds. These could be uses outside of the solid waste management effort". The opinion of OEPA's Planning Division; however, was in direct opposition of the Hamilton County Prosecutor. Copies of OEPA's response were made and distributed to the Policy Committee just prior to the meeting. Mr. Portune suggested that the OEPA opinion be forwarded to the Hamilton County Prosecutor. Dr. O'Reilly suggested that Staff meet with OEPA so that the District could come to an understanding with what guidelines could be given to communities. Mr. Portune stated pending another Prosecutor's Opinion and meeting with OEPA, this item will be tabled until the March 14, 2002 Policy Committee Meeting. Mr. Portune invited Mr. Gwyn and Dr. Geis to the March 14, 2002 meeting for further discussion.
A. Facility Updates Mr. Aluotto stated Waste Management conducted an open house for their Transfer Station. Waste Management has received their certificate of occupancy. There is a meeting of a committee of the Cincinnati Health Department this evening to discuss issues relating to the licensing of the Transfer Station. The Transfer Station could receive a Health Department license on January 22, 2002.Mr. Aluotto stated that Rumpke has submitted a PTI application to OEPA for a vertical expansion of the northwest corner of Rumpke which is approximately 67 acres. On December 10, 2001 Rumpke offered an applicant information session. Mr. Riddle stated the vertical expansion PTI was submitted so trash could be placed over a previously lined capped area. Rumpke has not received any notice from OEPA as of today's date. A brief discussion ensued regarding some specifics of the vertical expansion. B. Market Development Grant Pre-Proposal Mr. Aluotto stated that the District has submitted market development grant pre-proposals on behalf of Omaha Paper Stock Company (OPSC) and Community Access to Technology (CAT) to ODNR. CAT would like to upgrade their computer and electronics recycling facility. OPSC currently accepts a small quantity of co-mingled curb-side material. They are applying for funds to install some small scale processing capacity to be able to handle the material versus trucking it to Dayton. The actual proposals are due March 1, 2002.C. House Bill 459 Mr. Aluotto described HB 459 as new legislation that was submitted to the General Assembly by Representative Shuring. HB 459 is a comprehensive review and analysis of everything included in HB 592 and the construction and demolition rules. The legislation that has been discussed at previous Policy Committee meetings could potentially be reviewed as well. Mr. Aluotto discussed the specifics of HB 459 and the potential ramifications to solid waste districts. D. Regional Recycling Workshops Mr. Aluotto stated as a result of the Recycling SubCommittee, the District is planning two regional recycling workshops. One workshop will be held in Hamilton County and the other will be held in Stark County. Hamilton County's workshop will be held on June 4, 2002. The Organization of Solid Waste Districts of Ohio, the Ohio Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America, the Department of Natural Resources and the Association of Ohio Recyclers have agreed to serve as additional co-sponsors for the workshops.
Mr. Aluotto updated the Policy Committee on the proposed EPP Policy for Hamilton County. The District will be forwarding the EPP Policy to the Board of County Commissioners in mid-March. Before the District forwards the policy, the District is attempting to develop resources to have available. Mr. Aluotto gave examples of some of the resources the District is working on. Mr. Portune suggested placing this item on the agenda for the March 14, 2002 Policy Committee meeting and presenting it to the Commissioners after the meeting so that it may be discussed further.
Mr. Aluotto stated that the District has solicited bids for the Yardwaste contracts for the three yardwaste drop-off sites. For 2002, Rumpke will be awarded their own site which is at the landfill and Kuliga Park which is in Green Township. Evans Landscaping will be awarded their own site on Roundbottom Road in Newtown. Mr. Aluotto briefly discussed the costs to operate the three yardwaste sites. These contracts will go before the Board of County Commissioners in March.
Mr. Aluotto stated that the Policy Committee was provided a list of Recycle, Ohio! grant recipients for 2002. Mr. Aluotto gave background information regarding the grant. Mr. Aluotto also spoke of the Sustainable Design Seminar Series which was made possible by the Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency.
VII. POLICY COMMITTEE MEMBERS' COMMENTS
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Aluotto stated that the District is taking part in conversations with the Greater Cincinnati Earth Coalition to provide recycling on fountain square. Ms. Christmann stated that she was heading up the committee and gave a brief summary of what has occurred so far. Mr. Aluotto introduced Karen Mason as the new solid waste intern. Ms. Holterhoff briefly discussed the Great American Clean-Up and thanked the District for their continued financial support of the event. Ms. Holterhoff also thanked the Policy Committee for passing the proposed Environmental Court issue and briefly discussed Keep Cincinnati Beautiful's mission. IX. UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETINGS The next Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for 2:00 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2002 at Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services located at 250 William Howard Taft Road.X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 3:44 pm.
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