HAMILTON COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
POLICY COMMITTEE

September 20, 2001

TIME: 2:00 pm

PLACE: Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services
250 William Howard Taft Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219

PRESENT: Policy Committee Members
Keith Corman, Township Representative, Vice Chair
Dr. Phil Geis, Representative of Solid Waste Generators
Karl Graham, Representative of Largest Municipality
Wright Gwyn, Citizen Member
Tim Ingram, Hamilton County General Health District Representative
Todd Portune, County Commissioner, Chair
Larry Riddle, Ex-Officio Member

PRESENT: DOES Staff
Jeffrey W. Aluotto, Solid Waste Manager
Sarah Brugger, Public Affairs Coordinator
Cory Chadwick, Director
Holly Christmann, Community Specialist
Ken Edgell, Environmental Administrative Coordinator
Christy Kellner, Business Specialist
Ali Khodadad, Operations Coordinator
Susan Schumacher, Secretary, Clerk
Tammy Wenhame, Public Affairs Specialist

Others In Attendance
Karen Ball, Administrative Aid
Heather Ellis, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful
Alice Kennedy, Citizen
Dave Nutini, Hamilton County General Health District
Holly Utrata-Halcomb
Bill Wojcik, NU-BLEND Paints, Inc.

ABSENT: Policy Committee Members
Dr. James O'Reilly, Public Member

DOES Staf
Sue Magness, Education Specialist
Lynn White, Education Assistant

I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Portune called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m. Mr. Portune welcomed everyone to the meeting.

II. CLERK'S REPORT
A. Approval of Minutes - July 12, 2001
Mr. Graham motioned to approve the July 12, 2001 minutes. Mr. Corman seconded. All were in favor and the minutes were approved by acclamation.

B. Additions to the Agenda
The following were added to the agenda:

• •America Recycles Day
• •Update on the District's correspondence regarding HB 166 and SB 71

• FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT

A. Finance SubCommittee Report - August 9 and September 20, 2001
Mr. Graham stated regarding the meeting of today, the Finance SubCommittee reviewed the tipping fee comparisons and found that the fees and tonnages appear to be stable. It looks as if the District's revenues will be at approximately $2.6 million for the year. Mr. Riddle reported that there is no changes in the beneficial use projects as of this day.

Mr. Graham stated that the Finance SubCommittee also discussed the NU-BLEND Paints Inc. issue and more detail will be revealed when it is discussed as a Policy item.

As a result of this presentation, Mr. Aluotto asked Mr. Riddle to re-convene meetings of the Waste Industry SubCommittee. Mr. Riddle agreed. A brief discussion ensued regarding this issue.

Mr. Portune asked Mr. Aluotto to write a brief memo outlining the Solid Waste Plan ratification process; who the statutory parties are, etc.

After a brief discussion on the Plan Update ratification process, Mr. Portune recommended that the approval of expenditures resolution be amended to reflect the updated Plan ratification date of April 18, 2000 versus July of 1991. Mr. Graham stated that "representing 97% of the District population" also be amended to reflect the correct number of 90%.

Mr. Ingram moved that the whole paragraph 3 of the resolution be amended to reflect current information. Mr. Graham seconded. All were in favor and the motion carried.

The Finance SubCommittee reviewed the expenditures and recommended approval of SWR 05/2001. Mr. Graham motioned approval of SWR 05/2001. Mr. Ingram seconded and SWR 05/2001 was approved by acclamation.

IV. POLICY ITEMS
A. NU-BLEND Paint
Mr. Aluotto stated that a detailed Staff report was sent to the Policy Committee members, which was included as Attachment B of the Policy Packet, stating that NU-BLEND Paints has approached the District to obtain financial assistance until they can access the Empowerment Zone funding of $260,000. The Staff report detailed the many benefits NU-BLEND Paints provides to the District such as: financial benefits by diverting latex paint from HHM collection events, environmental benefits of diverting paint from landfills and improper disposal, maintenance of an infrastructure for handling a major component of the HHM stream.

Mr. Wojcik of NU-BLEND Paints gave a summary of the company itself, the benefits of recycled paint and the financial needs of the company. A brief question and answer session followed.

Mr. Aluotto stated the Staff Recommendation is to approve a financial assistance package for NU-BLEND. The Finance SubCommittee requested that the District look into how such a package could be structured through the Prosecutor's Office. Mr. Aluotto stated that at this point, he could not completely relay the requested information due to still being in conversations with the Prosecutor's Office on how an assistance package could be created. Mr. Aluotto briefly spoke of each of the options that was discussed with the Prosecutor's Office.

Mr. Ingram asked Mr. Aluotto if the District had the money in the budget for this expense. Mr. Aluotto stated it would have to be a supplemental appropriation and it would need to go through the Board of County Commissioners and the Budget Office. Mr. Aluotto asked Mr. Khodadad for conformation on this process. Mr. Khodadad stated that the procedure was correct.

After discussion, Mr. Portune motioned to authorize $50,000 for NU-BLEND and authorize Staff to negotiate an agreement/arrangement with NU-BLEND as the Prosecutor's Office would allow. Mr. Ingram seconded and the motion was approved by acclamation.

• Community RRI Surpluses

Mr. Aluotto stated that the RRI grant program is the largest program the District offers. Upon review of records and speaking with some communities the District has found that all of the RRI funding is not being spent each year. The District has confirmed that it is because of the fact that these communities have a fairly decent size population, a tremendous amount of recycling is done therefore their RRI check is large. Presently, the core allowable uses for RRI payments include: the purchase of recycled content materials, recycling contract payments, and recycling education.

The District finds this situation undesirable and Staff is currently considering the following options:

• Setting a policy of mandating that communities which have RRI surpluses enact policies or programs consistent with allowable used not yet used by the community. Mr. Aluotto gave an example of how this option would work.
  
  
• Require communities with RRI surpluses to submit proposals for additional uses of RRI funds which, while not currently recognized as an allowable use, could further the recycling infrastructure in that community.
  
  
• Require that political subdivisions return unused RRI funds following each year.
  
  
• A combination of the above options.
  

Mr. Aluotto gave an example of a non-allowable use for RRI funding and stated that in the future the District may need to decide if this would be an allowable use in the future.

Mr. Portune stated a base-line assessment needs to be made to find out why those communities can not spend the RRI dollars.

After discussion, the Policy Committee's general consensus was for the District to write a policy incorporating #2 above and the Policy Committee will vote on it at the November 8, 2001 meeting.

A. Cinergy Field Recycling Pilot Project
Mr. Aluotto stated that the District partnered with the National Association for Polyethylene Container Resources (NAPCOR) to implement a stadium recycling pilot project for PET containers. The District also partnered with Evergreen Recycling to accept the PET bottles. The pilot project took place on August 22, 2001 and the District felt it was very successful in collecting over 300 pounds of PET bottles.

Mr. Aluotto stated that the Cincinnati Red's are interested in continuing this next year and the District is interested in working with them.

B. SAW America
Mr. Aluotto stated SAW America was an organization that is attempting to come into communities and establish partnerships to use the urban forestry waste in that community for reuse and sale as commercial lumber. The Policy Committee has approved a grant through the reduction assistance grants to the Cincinnati Park Board to cooperate with the SAW America program to evaluate how that program works.

C. District Grants
Mr. Aluotto stated that the District has received two grants:1) $30,000 from the Office of Energy Efficiency to hold a series of Green Building workshops in Hamilton County and 2) $125,000 through the Ohio Market Development Grant program for On-Spec Composites which is a local manufacturer of plastic products from post-consumer and secondary plastic material. On-Spec Composites is considering working with the District on a expanded and sustainable recycling program using plastic bottles which would come from Cincinnati's sports stadiums. This is the first time that the District has ever received a Market Development Grant.

Mr. Aluotto thanked Ms. Christmann and Ms. Kellner for their hard work in receiving both of the grants.

D. 2002 Programming
Mr. Aluotto stated that the District is working on specific programs for 2002 which are not in the Solid Waste Plan Update:

• Mercury Collection Program - Traditionally, the District has relied on promoting private sector outlets for disposal. This works well for most materials but mercury is one of the materials that this would not work for. In cooperation with the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD), OEPA and the General Health District, the District is preparing to implement a low-cost mercury collection/disposal program to raise residents awareness of the toxicity associated with mercury and mercury containing products. The District has approached MSD with the request of assisting with the funding of the program.
  
  
• Community Workshop - (This is a direct result of the Recycling SubCommittee) The final recommendation of the Recycling SubCommittee was that political subdivisions need more information on keeping their recycling costs economically sustainable. The Community Workshop directly addresses that issue. The District will be partnering with ODNR and the Association of Ohio Recyclers to implement the Community Workshop.
  
  
• Expansion of HHM Awareness - The District relies on the advertising of private sector outlets to handle much of the HHM need in Hamilton County. In 2002, the District will attempt to make an outreach effort to these private sector outlets to get them to publicize their recycling program more and partner with the District.

• RRI

Mr. Aluotto stated included as attachment C in the Policy Packet was a list of OEPA's comprehensive procurement guide for recycled-content material. Beginning 2002, the District will start using the guidelines as a guide for approving RRI buy-recycled expenditures. The District will also encourage, not mandate, communities follow the guidelines.

Ms. Brugger stated that America Recycles Day (November 15) is a day set aside to recognize the importance of buying recycled. The nation plans different activities which focuses around this theme. The District will be partnering with schools, businesses, and communities to let them know what the day is about, what they can do, and to learn more about buying recycled products.

Ms. Brugger stated that the whole backbone of the program is filling out a pledge card to buy-recycled, recycle more, etc. Once the pledge card is filled out (name address, etc.) they are entered into a drawing to win a large prize. The winners will be announced in January, 2002.

• Update on the District's Correspondence Regarding HB 166 and SB 71

Mr. Aluotto stated that there has not been much movement of either of the bills. Today, there is sponsor testimony in the Energy and Environment Committee for HB 166. The District has sent correspondence to Hamilton county's local representatives regarding the bills. The District has received one response from Representative Seitz who was in agreement with the District's position.

VII. POLICY COMMITTEE MEMBERS' COMMENTS
Mr. Graham stated that Judie Zimomra, who was the former Solid Waste Program Manager, is the new city manager of Sanibell Island in Florida.

Mr. Corman stated in light of the recent tragedy, it may be important to keep track of recycling programs started as national conservation efforts. Mr. Aluotto stated he would keep the Policy Committee informed of any changes.

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Ellis stated that the date for the Great American Clean-Up 2002 will be April 11.

IX. UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETINGS
The next Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for 2:00 pm on November 8, 2001 at the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services, 250 William Howard Taft Road.

X. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Corman motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Graham seconded and the meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 3:31pm.