Title
Public Hearing on the Draft 2023-2030 Waste ReSources Management Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use and Environment Committee recommends holding a public hearing on the Draft 2023-2030 Waste ReSources Management Plan.
City Manager Recommendation:
Hold a public hearing on the Draft 2023-2030 Waste ReSources Management Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to hold a public hearing on the Draft 2023-2030 Waste ReSources Management Plan.
Staff Contact:
Ron Jones, Senior Planner, Public Works Waste ReSources, 360.753.8509
Presenter(s):
Ron Jones, Senior Planner
Background and Analysis:
The City’s Waste ReSources Management Plan (Plan) provides strategic direction for the Utility’s solid waste collection, education, and outreach programs. The Plan presents four goals along with subsequent strategies and actions toward reducing the total amount of waste produced, increased diversion through recycling and composting, maintaining safe, equitable, and efficient operations, and ensuring responsible and equitable financial management.
The Plan is not required by statute. The City of Olympia fulfills its regulatory requirement by signing onto the Thurston County Solid Waste Management Plan. The Plan is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which directs all city utilities to develop and regularly update their utility master plans.
Plan scoping began in late 2020 with a full kick-off in June 2021. Status updates along with feedback were provided to the Utility Advisory Committee (UAC), Council of Neighborhood Associations (CNA), and Land Use and Environment Committee on the following occasions.
• May 6, 2021 - UAC (Plan Scoping)
• November 4, 2021 - UAC (Draft Goals, Key Initiatives)
• February 2022 - CNA (Draft Goals, Key Initiatives)
• May 5, 2022 - UAC (Policy Recommendations)
• December 1, 2022 - UAC (Draft Plan Presentation and Input)
• December 14, 2022 - Draft Plan posted to City website for public comment. Sent to CNA.
• February 2, 2023 - UAC (Draft Plan Recommendation)
• February 23, 2023 - LUEC (Draft Plan Recommendation)
A SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) determination of non-significance was received on February 3, 2023. The comment deadline was February 17, 2023, and the appeal deadline was February 24, 2023. No comments or appeals were received.
Plan development began before the City’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and climate programs were launched. However, staff worked on a parallel track with the consultant to incorporate these important issues into its goals, strategies, and actions. The equity and climate frameworks were completed and launched around the same time the draft Plan was completed. The frameworks will be useful in future updates.
Climate Analysis:
The Plan will contribute to the City's overall climate goals through its waste prevention and recycling strategies and actions, such as waste prevention messaging, supporting legislative initiatives, and improving recycling capture at multi-family and mixed-use buildings. The Plan also supports reduced greenhouse gas emissions by coordinating with the City's Fleet Operations to electrify the City's fleet. It is an easier conversion for light duty trucks; however, electric solid waste trucks are not yet capable of operating even one half day on a full charge and cost at least 50 percent more. A study showed that certain types of solid waste trucks may never be electrified due to their demanding function. It will be necessary to have the charging infrastructure in place also.
Equity Analysis:
The Plan supports the City's overall equity initiatives through its strategies and actions. Data was incomplete for all groups, and additional outreach during implementation will be useful. The plan is focused toward benefiting groups that are burdened, such as low income, through rate equity work, and diverse populations through improved education and outreach programs.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Community members, businesses and organizations are customers of the Waste ReSources Utility. They will be interested in the services and waste reduction and recycling opportunities put forth in the Plan, which will guide the utility’s work over the next seven years.
Options:
1. Hold a public hearing for the Draft 2023-2030Waste ReSources Management Plan. Based upon the outcome of the public hearing, staff will bring the Plan back to a future meeting for Council to consider its adoption.
2. Postpone the public hearing to a future date. This would delay implementation of the Plan and subsequent goals, strategies, and actions.
3. Do not hold a public hearing at this time. This would result in the Utility not having strategic direction for making informed decisions about services, waste prevention, and utility rates.
Financial Impact:
Implementing the 2023-2030 Waste ReSources Management Plan will have future service and utility rate implications.
Attachments:
Draft Waste ReSources Management Plan
UAC Recommendation Letter