Title
Agenda Item:
Approval of Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for Development of the 2014 - 2019 Solid Waste Management Plan
Body
Issue:
City Council approval of the Interlocal Agreement allows the City to participate in the joint county/municipality integrated solid and hazardous waste management plan updates.
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager's Recommendation:
Move to approve the Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for the Thurston County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan update, and authorize the Mayor to sign.
Staff Contact:
Dan Daniels, Director of Waste ReSources, 360.753.8780
Presenter(s):
None - consent calendar item
Background and Analysis:
Under Washington State law, all counties and cities must develop a plan that provides a framework for the management of community generated solid and hazardous waste. Several elements are mandated for inclusion in the plan, such as:
• identification of disposal facilities to accommodate for a 20-year planning period;
• waste reduction and recycling goals;
• proper hazardous material handling; and
• a funding mechanism for the jurisdiction's overall systems management.
Although each community is required to maintain a plan for solid and hazardous waste, state law allows the flexibility to develop plans jointly with other communities.
Historically, cities and towns of Thurston County have exercised their option under state law to participate in a joint county/municipality integrated solid waste management program. All cities within our region coordinate with Thurston County in the creation of a plan. This collaborative effort has resulted in the creation of the Thurston County Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) and Hazardous Waste Plan documents.
To ensure the fundamental goals of the plans are implemented, and in accordance with RCW 70.95.040 (Solid Waste) and RCW 70.105 (Hazardous Waste), the Thurston County Board of Commissioners established the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC). As a participating member of SWAC, the City provides valuable input on oversight and policy issues affecting solid waste matters for our region.
Although the 2009-2013 plan update was just formalized through adoption, state law requires jurisdictions to review plans every five years amending any changes in law or policy. Therefore, the County is requesting that updated interlocal agreements be adopted with each of the cities as they begin the process for the 2014 - 2019 plan update.
The interlocal agreement will not impact the City's current Waste Resources programs and operations. The agreement simply formalizes that the County's SWMP is an umbrella plan covering all the jurisdictions. Even though we have our own utility, the County provides some "above and beyond" services, such as HazoHouse/Wastemobile, "Talkin' Trash" newsletter, and web resources.
Pursuant to RCW 70.95.080, County comprehensive solid waste management plan-joint plans-Duties of Cities, each city shall comply with one of the three following options.
• Prepare and deliver to the county auditor of the county in which it is located its plan for its own solid waste management for integration into the comprehensive county plan;
• Enter into an agreement with the county pursuant to which the city shall participate in preparing a joint city-county plan for solid waste management; or
• Authorize the county to prepare a plan for the city's solid waste management for inclusion in the comprehensive county plan.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
No known concerns.
Options:
1. Enter into an agreement with Thurston County pursuant to which the City shall participate in preparing a joint city-county plan for solid waste management (recommended option).
2. Prepare and deliver to the Thurston County Auditor a plan for the City's own solid waste management for integration into the comprehensive County plan.
3. Authorize Thurston County to prepare a plan for the City's solid waste management for inclusion in the comprehensive County plan.
Financial Impact:
The Interlocal Agreement does not obligate any funding from the City. The County's programs are all funded through tipping fees at the Waste and Recovery Center.