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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-07-30 Public Hearing 147 ~ MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING, JULY 30, 1990 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Public Hearing on Monday, July 30, 1990, at 7:30 o'clock P.M. in the cafeteria of Emsley A. Laney High School located on Highway 132, Wilmington, North Carolina. . Members present were: Commissioners Robert G. Greer; E. L. Mathews, Jr.; Vice-Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Sr.; Chairman Fred Retchin; County Manager, Allen O'Neal, County Attorney, Robert W. Pope; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell. Commissioner Nolan O'Neal was absent due to having to attend a special meeting of the Hospital Board of Trustees. Chairman Retchin opened the Public Hearing and stated the purpose of the meeting is to receive public input on the proposed mandatory refuse collections system and franchise agreement. He requested persons to be as brief as possible when making remarks. PRESENTATION ON DEVELOPMENT OF PROPOSED MANDATORY REFUSE COLLECTION SYSTEM Mr. Donald Petersen, a member of the Citizens' Solid Waste Task Force, stated in 1986 the Board of County Commissioners established a Task Force to study and evaluate short and long range plans for waste disposal, litter control, and refuse collections. After study and review, the fOllowing recommendations were presented to the Board of County Commissioners: . 1. Increase the capacity of the steam plant. This activity was given the highest priority by the Task Force. 2. Suggest that the City of Wilmington consider once a week collection. 3. Establish a mandatory collection service for all County residents through a franchise system in order to better handle waste. 4. Assign deputized officers to investigate and aid in the prosecution of illegal disposal activities by commercial entities or individuals. 5. Install scales at the landfill. '~, 6. Include free pick-up of bulky items such as furniture, appliances, etc. as part of the collection system. If a fee is established, it should be minimal. 7. Establish a recycling program. Mr. Petersen emphasized the importance of properly addressing the disposal of solid waste and stated as a concerned citizen he feels mandatory curbside refuse collections must be implemented in order to develop an effective curbside recycling program. He encouraged the Commissioners to adopt the proposed plan. . Chairman Retchin commented on the previous Public Hearing held on July 9, 1990, and stated after receiving public input, free pick-up of bulky items will be included in the proposed plan. PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED PLAN FOR FRANCHISING AND MANDATING REFUSE COLLECTIONS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY County Manager O'Neal presented the following key factors of the proposed franchise agreement: ~ ( 148'MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING, JULY 3D, 1990 (CONTINUED) 1. The unincorporated area of the County will be divided into five zones, each of which will be serviced exclusively by a franchised refuse collection firm. Franchise agreements will be for a period of five (5) years with an option of renewal for an additional two years. 2. The operator shall collect residential solid waste from all residential generators in his franchise. 3. The operator shall provide each residential generator a 90 gallon rollout cart. provide once-a-week collection on a ~ $12.50 per month. 4. The operator shall year-round basis at a fee of 5. The operator shall provide all vehicles and equipment necessary to perform any and all services required by the contract. 6. The operator shall be responsible for fee collections. 7. The County shall be responsible for notifying residents of the unincorporated area of their obligation to contract for refuse collections. 8. The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners shall evaluate the operator's service and fees on an annual basis. The Commissioners shall also evaluate the fee schedule on an annual basis to analyze the impact of increases or decreases in operating costs incurred by the haulers. 9. Private collection by any person not franchised by the County will be unlawful and penalties will be assessed. 10. The County and operators will develop a curbside recycling program within one year after implementation of the 0 mandatory refuse collection program. County Manager O'Neal stated a windshield survey performed by County staff in April 1990 identified approximately 19,285 households in the unincorporated area of the county with 16,076 receiving commercial refuse collection service and approximately 3,000 not receiving any form of commercial pick-up. Discussion was held on the fact that many individuals dispose of their trash properly; however, many persons are illegally dumping, burning, and burying trash which endangers the public health of our citizens. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC The following persons commented: Mr. Thomas Stich, a Sanitarian with the Environmental Health Division of the New Hanover County Health Department, stated solid waste must be disposed of properly. He commented on complaints received by the Health Department where children are exposed to insecticides, glass, syringes, and other hazardous ma ter ials due to improper disposal of garbage, and urged the Commissioners to adopt the proposed refuse collection plan. Mr. Steadmon Raynor, a resident of New Hanover County for 27 years, commented on the various disposal sites beginning with 0 23rd Street, to the old Smith Creek Underpass, to Military'~ Cut-off, to Flemington, to Carolina Beach, to Blue Clay Road and to the present facility located on Highway 421 and stated he has always disposed of his solid waste properly by usage of refuse collection sites. He urged the Commissioners to consider the cost to persons who do not generate a large volume of garage before requiring them to pay for this service. ~ Ms. Myrtle Barnhill, a resident of Castle Hayne, spoke in support of the recycling program and strongly objected to the proposed mandatory refuse collection program. She also asked the following questions: (1) How will the county clean up landfills? MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING, JULY 30, 1990 (CONTINUED) 14 9 ""llIl (2) How will the county clean up air pollution? and (3) How will the county protect our water. She stressed the importance of addressing these problems stating mandatory refuse collections is not the answer. Ms. Madalynne Bodey, a resident of Castle Hayne, commented on properly disposing of her trash since 1947 and requested the Commissioners to abolish the proposed plan. . Mr. Henry Southerland, a 65-year-old resident of New Hanover County, expressed concern for the rights of property owners being totally disregarded and requested the Commissioners to abolish a plan that will require citizens to pay for a mandated system without the right to select a hauler of their choice. Mr. Arthur Graifer, an employee of the Steam Plant, inquired as to how the County will address problems experienced with the franchise companies during the 5-year contract period, and will fines be imposed on persons who cannot afford to pay $12.50 for this service, such as himself. Mr. J. J. Denning, a 77-year-old resident of Castle Hayne, complimented Vice-Chairman Barfield for opposing the proposed plan and urged the Commissioners not to adopt a mandatory refuse collection program. Mr. Greg Gnatt, a resident of Castle Hayne, expressed concern for eliminating competition among the haulers and stated his trash fee is presently cheaper than the $12.50 proposed. . Mr. Bobby Flesher, a resident of Wrightsboro, stated litter can be controlled through education and enforcement of the County Li tter Ordinance. He expressed concern for the County having only one Litter Control Enforcement Officer and recommended approaching the trash problem by increasing enforcement of the ordinance instead of imposing a mandatory refuse collection system. Mr. Jim Mott, a resident of the Masonboro area, expressed appreciation to the Commissioners for taking time to receive public comments and expressed concern for implementing a mandatory program that will not stop roadside littering but will be unfair to the citizens of the county. Mr. Jack LeGwin, a resident of Middle Sound, expressed concern for the statement that, "New Hanover County is urbanized," stating many parts of the county are rural. He stated if the County is going to implement a mandatory refuse collection system, the County should submit a proposal to receive one bid in order to obtain the most competitive price. He also expressed concern for the statement, "that a recycling program cannot be established without a mandatory refuse collection program," stating many cities and counties have established successful recycling programs without mandatory trash collections. e: Mr. Pete Peterson, a resident of Sidbury Road, commented on roadside litter stating implementation of a mandatory trash collection system will not stop littering nor illegal dumping. He stated the City of Wilmington charges $1.40 per trip for trash service, whereas, the County has proposed a plan that will charge $3.00 per trip. He urged the Commissioners to rethink imposing this type of program on the taxpayers of New Hanover County. Mr. Donald F. Hurlburt, a resident of Greenbriar Road, expressed concern for a fee of $12.50 per month stating when , living in San Francisco, the trash fee was $5.55. Mr. Floyd Lucas, a partner or JR Removal Service, expressed concern for complicating the present trash collection service being provided by private haulers and recommended implementing a system through the Tax Department where persons are assigned an ~ ( 15"OMINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING, JULY 30, 1990 (CONTINUED) account number for proof that garbage is being disposed of in a proper manner. He also commented on the latest changes in the trash business stating used appliances in the past had no value; however, currently, companies pay 1 cent per pound for abandoned appliances. He urged the Commissioners to further study trash collection methods and recycling before adopting the proposed plan which is not based on the most recent methods being used by the industry. Mr. Robert Kendrick, expressed concern for law the action of those who refuse collections will choice. a resident of 1202 South 15h Street, abiding citizens being penalized for illegally dump. He stated mandatory deprive people of their freedom of o Mr. Fred Floyd, a resident of 802 Pine Grove Drive, expressed concern for billing residents four months in advance for the proposed mandatory refuse collection system stating the haulers would receive approximately $250,000 for implementation of the program. He also expressed concern for continual costs being absorbed by the taxpayers and urged the Commissioners not to mandate another program. DISCUSSION OF RECYCLING PROGRAM Assistant County Manager, Mary Gornto, presented background information on the interim recycling program stating trucks and County personnel will be located at the following drop-off sites to assist persons with collection of recyclable materials: Wednesdays 11:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Wilson's at Murrayville Rd. Thursdays 11:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Food Lion in Ogden Fridays 11:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. next to Flip Barbecue, Oleander Dr i ve, Saturdays 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. K-Mart at Monkey Junction *If schedules are inconvenient for county residents, recyclable ~ materials can be dropped off at the City's 23rd Street facility located near the airport. Mr. Dick Carter, a resident of 209 Oakhurst Road, requested the Board and County Staff to study the latest materials available on methods of recycling. He stated the mobile recycling program as implemented is ridiculous and inconvenient to the citizens of the county. He recommended collection of recyclable materials by one truck with separation of the materials at the landfill by a conveyor or magnet. Chairman Retchin stated the recycling program has been implemented on an interim basis and is strictly voluntary. It is anticipated that a curbside recycling program will be implemented within a year after establishment of a county-wide refuse collection program. Mr. Carter inquired as to whether letters of intent for purchase of recyclable materials have been received by the County? Chairman Retchin stated the City of Wilmington is handling the marketing of recyclable materials. Mr. Carter urged the Commissioners to contract with a private firm for collection of recyclable materials stressing the importance of having qualified personnel to operate an effective recycling program. ~ Mr. Walt Koberger, a resident of Myrtle Grove, expressed concern for the County going into the garbage business stating legally garbage is toxic and can be quite costly to the county. Mr. Tim Mack, a resident of Wrightsboro, recommended offering incentives for not generating garbage and requested elected officials to adopt legislation that will encourage businesses to reduce the amount of garbage produced. ~ . . . MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING, JULY 30, 1990 (CONTINUED) 151 ~ Mr. Bill Caulder, a resident of 2131 Klein Road, requested the right to select his private hauler and stated legally the County should not be able to contract with five companies for a mandatory refuse collection system. Mr. Pete Peterson, a resident of Sidbury Road, commented on the bond issue for the Steam Plant and its current expansion stating the citizens were informed that enough revenue would be generated to pay for the facility; however, tipping fees have continued to increase due to a lack of revenue and the taxpayer continues to pay more for trash disposal. Mr. Wade Pope, a resident of Wrightsboro, expressed concern for eliminating private competition from refuse collections and stated the county will have no control over fees charged. Chairman Retchin closed the Public Hearing. COMMENTS FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Chairman Retchin requested each Commissioner to comment on the proposed county-wide refuse collection system. Comments from Vice-Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Sr. Vice-Chairman Barfield expressed concern for the County imposing a mandatory refuse collection system and becoming involved in the trash collection business. He also expressed concern for the lack of technical knowledge and expertise demonstrated by the County Staff in preparing the proposed plan and stated many questions have not been answered. For instance, how will citizens living in remote locations be serviced; who will pay charges for the collection of bulky items; what provisions have been made for the elderly who generate small amounts of garbage; and how will vacant homes be handled? He stated the taxpayer~ will end up paying the bill; therefore, he cannot support the proposed plan with so many questions that have not been addressed or answered. Comments from Commissioner Robert G. Greer Commissioner Greer expressed appreciation for the public input and assured the citizens present that they do make a difference. He stated the majority of citizens in the unincorporated area of the county are responsible and do properly dispose of trash; therefore, he does not feel these citizens should be penalized with a mandatory collection system in order to reach the small number of irresponsible citizens. He stated as of this date, he is not in favor of implementing a mandatory trash collection system. Comments from Commissioner E. L. Mathews, Jr. Commissioner Mathews stated the Commissioners scheduled the public hearing to receive ideas and suggestions, not insults. He emphasized the importance of constructive public input and expressed appreciation for the many suggestions presented. He stated as of this date he has not decided whether he will support the proposed plan. Comments from Chairman Fred Retchin Chairman Retchin expressed appreciation for the comments received and stated the Commissioners do not want to impose a plan that will not work. He recommended going back to the drawing board and requesting the County Staff to prepare a plan that will be more acceptable to the citizens of the unincorporated area of the county. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Retchin adjourned the meeting at 9:10 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, ~V%~ Lucie F. Harrell Clerk to the Board ~