MINUTES OF THE METRO COUNCIL

SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, April 3, 2002

Council Chamber

Present:        Bill Atherton (Chair), Susan McLain (Vice Chair)

       David Bragdon, Rod Park

Absent:        Rod Monroe

Chair Atherton called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.

2.  Regional Environmental Management Director’s Briefing

Terry Petersen, Director, Regional Environmental Management, informed the committee about two recently released RFPs, one for an analysis of electronics recovery in the Metro region and one for a formal review of reserve accounts, and the upcoming annual SOLV-IT Cleanup which would be on Metro property near Lake Oswego on April 20^th. (For more detail, see the copy of the Regional Environmental Management Director’s Updates attached to the permanent record of this meeting).

There was committee discussion about problems with electronics disposal issues and work Metro has done regarding electronics issues. Regarding the review of the reserve accounts, Councilor Park wondered why the Metro Auditor would not do that review. Dr. Petersen explained that it was on the suggested audit list, but the auditor had chosen not to do it. Councilor Park asked the cost of having someone from outside do it; Dr. Petersen responded it would probably cost around $25,000-$35,000. There was additional discussion regarding proper procedures for reporting illegal dumping, i.e., calling the recycle hot line or reporting the offense on Metro’s website.

1.  Consideration of the Minutes of the March 6 Solid Waste & Recycling Committee Meeting and the March 20, 2002 Joint Natural Resources and Solid Waste & Recycling Committee Meeting.

3.  Resolution No. 02-3170, For the Purpose of Approving the Year 13 Partnership Plan for Waste Reduction (Fiscal Year 2002-03).

Meg Lynch, REM Waste Reduction Supervisor, reviewed the annual plan for waste reduction, also known as Year 13 (for details, see information included in the agenda packet with the permanent record of this meeting). She noted staff had developed and incorporated explicit performance measures into the plan in response to requests from Council. She said the plan had been reviewed at SWAC in March with favorable comments. Public comments on the first draft were also favorable.

Councilor McLain thought a better job could be done to elicit interest in this program, and challenged both staff and council to figure out ways to get people interested in the opportunities available. She agreed with public comments that they had not been very successful at targeting multi-family dwellings for recycling. She also agreed that commercial debris and organics were priority. There was discussion regarding progress and programs that were working well, for instance, the compost bins. Councilor McLain directed staff to come up with a written report to show the council before next budget season. She understood there would be a lag time between when the money was used and when the data was ready to be reported.

Chair Atherton will carry the resolution to the full council.

3-A.  PROPOSED MINOR AMENDMENTS

Chair Atherton asked Mr. Houser to explain some minor issues that needed attention. Mr. Houser explained the first was related to the CSU Transport contract and the purchase of certain types of equipment at the transfer stations. He explained that the contract specified lease terms which were no longer available in the marketplace and the contract would be amended to reflect current terms, i.e. a 5 year lease instead of a 9 year lease. The second item was recognition of Metro acting as a pass through agent for a grant to the Oregon Environmental Council to improve the business community's recycling of fluorescent light tubes. State rules for the grant state the application has to come from a local government on behalf of a non-profit or community group. Metro made application for $20,000 for OEC and received $18,000.

Adjourn

There being no further business to come before the Solid Waste & Recycling Committee, Chair Atherton adjourned the meeting at 4:16 p.m.

Prepared by

Cheryl Grant

Council Assistant

Attachments to the Public Record for the

Solid Waste & Recycling Committees Meeting of April 3, 2002:

Testimony Cards:

None.