Title
Approval of a Resolution Adopting the Thurston County 2014 Hazardous Waste Plan Update and Designating Thurston County as the Agent to Administer the Plan in the City of Olympia
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee. On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Buxbaum sent a letter to Thurston County in September 2013, requesting that proper collection and disposal of used needles/syringes and drug paraphernalia be included as a core program in the Hazardous Waste plan.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recommended Action
Move to approve a resolution adopting the Thurston County 2014 Hazardous Waste Plan update and designating Thurston County as the agent to administer the plan in the City of Olympia.
Report
Issue:
Whether to adopt the Thurston County 2014 Hazardous Waste Plan update.
Staff Contact:
Rich Hoey, P.E., Public Works Director, (360) 753-8495
Presenter(s):
Gerald Tousley, Solid and Hazardous Waste Supervisor, Thurston County Health Department
Background and Analysis:
(Provided by Thurston County)
Under Washington State law, all counties and cities must develop a plan that provides a framework for the management of community generated hazardous waste. Several elements are mandated for inclusion within the plans such as the identification of disposal facilities, waste reduction and recycling goals, proper hazardous material handling, and the funding mechanism for the jurisdiction's overall management systems. 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.
Jurisdictions are required to review plans every five years. If amendments are needed because of changes in law or policy, a revision process is initiated. Public meetings ensure interested groups and citizens have an opportunity to provide input on the hazardous waste plan, and more importantly, to propose changes. After the public comment period concludes, the plan is revised to incorporate suggested changes. It is then forwarded to each participating municipality and once adopted, presented to the Thurston County Board of Commissioners for adoption. The Department of Ecology receives the final plans after all participants have approved the plan.
Historically, Cities and Towns of Thurston County have exercised their option under state law to participate in a joint county/municipality integrated hazardous waste plan. All cities within our region coordinated with Thurston County in the creation of the plan. This collaborative effort has resulted in the creation of the Thurston County 2014 Hazardous Waste Management Plan. The final step is for cities to adopt the Plan. The plan is included as an attachment and can also be found at:
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Thurston County received more than 100 comments on the Plan, the vast majority related to used syringes discarded in public places. Appendix 5 of the Plan provides the responses to public comments received on the Plan.
Options:
1. Approve resolution adopting the Thurston County 2014 Hazardous Waste Plan update
2. Recommend changes to the Hazardous Waste Plan prior to approval
Financial Impact:
Implementation of the Hazardous Waste Plan is funded primarily through tipping fees collected at the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center/HazoHouse and state grants.