Solid Waste and Recycling Council

January 9, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:

Bob Peterson, Leonard Klein, Jill Barnard, Jim Palmer, Gene Dawson, Bill Gadwau, Julie Mathiesen and Mike McPherson

Members Absent:

Janet Person

Staff Present:

Joe Meyers

Others Present:

Raelene Reilly and Charlie Koop

I.          Call to Order

Bob Peterson called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m.

II.        Public Comment

Raelene Reilly introduced herself and informed the Council that she is an advocate for recycling.  Ms. Reilly noted that she would be more than willing to help in a focus group or other Sub-committee to help bring recycling to the area. 

Julie Mathiesen asked Ms. Reilly to submit a letter to the Commissioners showing that there is a County interest for recycling.  

III.       Approval of Minutes

Motion by Bill Gadwau, supported by Leonard Klein, to approve the minutes from the November 28, 2005 meeting.  Motion carried – unanimous.

IV.       Election of Officers

Joe Meyers, Associate Planner, ran the meeting during the election of officers.

Leonard Klein nominated Bob Peterson for Chair. 

Motion by Leonard Klein to close nominations for Chair and cast a unanimous ballot for Bob Peterson.  MOTION AMENDED.

Motion by Leonard Klein, supported by Jill Barnard to retain the current officers of Bob Peterson as Chair and Janet Person as Vice-chair.  Motion carried – unanimous. 

V.         Procedures for Conducting Council Activity Update

Mr. Meyers informed the Council that the Public Works Committee has reviewed the Procedures for Conducting Council Activity and did not feel that it was necessary to have two people attend the Solid Waste Advisory Committee.  Mr. Meyers informed the Council that Pete Garwood, Coordinator/Planner, would like to keep him on the Committee because it is beneficial to his job.  Ms. Mathiesen noted that one of the Council members should be on the Committee.  Gene Dawson explained that he got the feeling that the Committee did not want to pay two people to attend the same meeting. 

Mr. Garwood entered the meeting and explained why it was necessary to have Mr. Meyers attend the Committee meetings.

Mr. Klein indicated that he would be more than happy to attend the meetings without getting paid. 

The Council noted that Mr. Klein should not have to pay for his mileage. 

Motion by Bill Gadwau, supported by Julie Mathiesen to recommend the Public Works Committee request the Board of Commissioners to appoint Leonard Klein as a volunteer to go to the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the County will pay his mileage.  Motion carried – unanimous.

VI.       Reciprocal Agreement Update

Mr. Meyers informed the Commission that the Reciprocal Agreement with Leelanau County has made it through Committee and is going to their Board of Commissioners.  Mr. Meyers noted that he would inform the Council when he receives more information.   

VII.      Urban Cooperation Act Update.

Mr. Meyers introduced Mr. Koop, Antrim County Legal Counsel, and informed the Council that he would be interpreting the Urban Cooperation Act in regards to the section for recycling.  Mr. Koop informed the Council that we could not use this act because we did not have a population of over 690,000. 

Mr. Meyers informed the Council that Leelanau County was the front runner in this bill and they do not have a population of over 690,000.

Jim Palmer informed the Council that, in Leelanau County, they used the Urban Cooperation Act because the wording is “… a County, by resolution of the County Board of Commissioners of the county, or the agency responsible for …with a population of 690,000 or more.” 

The Council indicated that they were looking for funding mechanisms for a recycling program.  Mr. Koop indicated that that is not what he researched and further indicated that he could research funding sources if the Council so desired. 

Ms. Mathiesen noted that it had been done before and asked Mr. Meyers to look into what has currently been done.     

VIII.    Communications

None.

IX.       Member Comment

Gene Dawson noted that he had a concern that if we try to fund a Countywide recycling program that the Townships that currently have a recycling would not “buy into it.” 

Mike McPherson inquired if we were trying to push people to do something that they don’t want, in regards to recycling.

Raelene Reilly noted that people are already paying for their trash so it is not much different than paying for recycling.

Ms. Mathieson inquired if we were going to keep the meeting dates the same. 

Mr. Meyers indicated that the current meeting date is the Monday preceding the Public Works Committee.  Our next meeting date will be on February 20, 2006.

Meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.