July 8, 2009 SAB Meeting Minutes

Call Meeting to Order (Daniel Poull, Chairperson)
Take Roll Call to Determine Quorum of Members

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

Motion and second to approve the June 10, 2009 minutes (Hill-Nelson/Lehrman).
Vote: Motion was passed unanimously.

Welcome Charlie Sedlock of Hamm Company

Charlie Sedlock, the Hamm Company Waste Services Manager, discussed the life expectancy of the Hamm landfill in Perry, KS and answered questions from SAB. Currently the Hamm landfill serves a population of approximately 600,000 which brings in 480,000 tons of waste per year. If the tonnage per year remains the same the landfill's life expectancy is 80 years. Charlie Sedlock also informed the Board that the biggest change for landfills in the near future will be how facilities handle methane gas. Hamm has been researching options on handling methane gas (i.e. flaring or extracting for fuel use). These options are very expensive. Currently the methane gas at the Hamm landfill is passively vented. There may be stimulus money to help fund methane recapture systems. Hamm will be looking into this.

The Board asked Charlie Sedlock if Hamm would be interested in operating a recycling service. Charlie Sedlock remarked that Hamm is a family and employee owned business and that if there is a service in the waste sector with a reasonable rate of return they would consider starting this service. Hamm currently does not have any recycling contracts. Charlie Sedlock also commented that Hamm would not be competitive due to the low rates for service that the current curbside recycling businesses in Lawrence offer.

The Board also asked Charlie Sedlock what the cost for a transfer station with a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) handling both trash and recycling would be versus hauling waste to the landfill. Charlie Sedlock informed the Board that capital for a transfer station with a MRF is very costly (12 to 15 million). He also explained that pound for pound the City of Lawrence system is currently doing the best for its money.

Commissioner Aron Cromwell stated that he is interested as well as Commissioner Mike Dever in changing the way that the City of Lawrence handles recyclables. These proposed changes would likely occur within the next 12 to 24 months. The following are three suggestions:
1. implement a conventional curbside recycling program operated by the City or outside contractor
2. divide the City into sections and assign sections to current curbside recycling businesses
3. add multiple unmanned collection points throughout the City for all recyclable materials
Commissioner Aron Cromwell added that any change to the current system will need to be economically feasible.

Stimulus Money Update

Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager, informed the Board that the City of Lawrence is eligible to receive $858,600 through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. Items approved by the City Commission to be funded by the Block Grant included a Sustainability Coordinator position. This new position is proposed to be a county employee jointly funded by the City of Lawrence and Douglas County. The Sustainability Coordinator would analyze existing facilities and recommend ways to reduce energy use and review sustainability issues. The position would spend approximately 40% of their time on County energy issues, 40% on City energy issues, and 20% on other sustainability initiatives. The City of Lawrence will have to spend the grant money 18 months from notification of the award. Currently the City is waiting for this notification.

SAB offered ideas on job responsibilities for the Sustainability Coordinator. They also suggested that there be a national search for this position.

Cynthia Boecker also announced that the City of Lawrence received notification in June of another EPA grant opportunity, the Climate Showcase Community Grant. This grant focuses on greenhouse gas emission reduction. The grant proposal is due on July 22nd. Cynthia Boecker informed SAB that Jeff Severin, the Director of the KU Center for Sustainability, approached the City with the idea of a joint partnership between KU and the City for this grant proposal. It would be modeled after the Boulder, Colorado outreach and education program for their university students. KU and the City plan to apply for $100,000. Award announcements will occur on or after January 2010.

Recycling Report Update

Bob Yoos, the City's Solid Waste Manager, informed the Board that the Evaluation of Waste Diversion Strategies for Lawrence 2009 Update report (attached) which was emailed to SAB last month is a response to the City Commission and City's Manager's Office request for an update of the waste diversion strategies and costs presented in 2004. The update report will be placed as a future City Commission agenda item. Bob Yoos answered questions regarding updated costs, feasibility of a PAYT system, and possibility of citing more drop-off recycling containers.

Laura Routh asked if the recent Douglas/Jefferson Counties Solid Waste Management 5-Year Plan Update could include SAB recommendations, 2008 recycling survey results and other citizen comments. Bob Yoos and Charlie Sedlock are both on this Solid Waste Management Committee and clarified that the 5-Year Plan Update was finalized and approved by the County Commission a few months ago. They also noted that their meetings are open to the public and SAB members are welcomed to attend. Next year's review will be in April/May 2010.

Conversation in a Box

Hillary Noonan was not present at this meeting to provide an update regarding the Conversation in a Box.

Water Quality Report

Tammy Bennett, the City's Assistant Public Works Director, clarified the question that arose at the last Board meeting in regards to the Utilities Department's Water Quality Report results. They are reporting the range that the City measured from the lowest detected to the highest detected. These are not regulated ranges. The maximum contaminant level is the first column.

Waste Reduction & Recycling Report

Kathy Richardson announced that the City's Waste Reduction and Recycling Division will be hosting the 9th Annual Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair and Sustainable Homes Tour on Saturday, September 12th. The planning meeting for this event was well attended and staff received a lot of great suggestions. Kathy Richardson noted that Transit is offering a free ridership day on September 12th. Staff would also like to thank Daniel Poull for volunteering to be the Sustainable Homes Tour guide.

The WRR report was emailed to SAB (attached).

Guest comments and miscellaneous

There were no comments.

Meeting adjourned 7:45 p.m.

Next meeting: September 9th, 2009 at 5:30 pm.

Attachments: