Designated Implementing Agency & Resource Recovery Department
February 10, 2009
11:28 A.M.
Minutes
MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Art Luna, Carol Strachan, Roger Harris, L. Daryl Baker, John Forell, Jeanne Pearl Wright, Glenn Freeman
MEMBERS ABSENT: Joe Brehler, Board of Commissioners Chair
ALSO PRESENT: John Fuentes, County Controller; Lisa Lafferty, Resource Recovery Coordinator
January 13, 2010 meeting minutes were reviewed. Commissioner Baker made a motion to approve the corrected minutes. Commissioner Freeman seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Lisa Lafferty provided an update on department activities. The proposal for the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant for the purpose of implementing energy efficiency and conservation strategies and creating and/or retaining jobs was approved. Funds will be awarded in the amount of $420,000 to reduce energy consumption at the Eaton County Governmental Complex. The funds will allow for energy retrofits which will result in savings which may provide additional opportunities in the future.
A Spring Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale is being planning by the Regional Recycling Coordinators Committee. The event will take place Saturday April 10, 2010 at the Dunham’s parking lot on Michigan Avenue in Lansing. The details are available on the Department website.
Ms. Lafferty is planning energy education activities to use when working with schoolchildren. Several schools have scheduled a presentation from the Department.
The local Wellhead/Source Water Protection Planning Committee met recently. Movie theater ads and restaurant placemats will be created to promote proper use of storm drains and proper disposal of household hazardous waste.
Ms. Lafferty has attended several local government meetings recently to promote the Michigan Energy Efficiency Grant. Many local government offices have offered to assist in the distribution of compact fluorescent light bulbs. Also, the Village of Vermontville has expressed interest in starting a recycling program and Ms. Lafferty has offered to provide resources and expertise.
Ms. Lafferty reported on Department programs. A map of Eaton County depicting location and area served by the recycling centers was provided. An average buffer distance of seven miles was used to determine area served and to demonstrate how opportunities to recycle in the County have increased.
The Charlotte Area Recycling Authority stopped accepting plastics #3-7 last month due to a drop in value for the material. Ms. Lafferty located a company who is interested in the material and she forwarded this information to all Recycling Centers in Eaton County. With this new contractor Charlotte Area Recycling Authority expects to accept those plastics again soon.
To satisfy a requirement of the Michigan Energy Efficiency Grant to work with schoolchildren on energy education, Ms. Lafferty asked the Eaton Intermediate School District to email a flyer to all teachers who work in the County. The response brought interest from several schools. As a result, Ms. Lafferty and her intern will work with several hundred schoolchildren on home energy efficiency.
At the Eaton Conservation District Annual Meeting, Ms Lafferty received a positive response to the free Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs being distributed. As per the Michigan Energy Efficiency grant proposal, Ms. Lafferty has set up a display within the Community Development office. Another display will be located within the Treasurer’s Office. A Lansing Home & Garden Show booth is planned and details will soon be available for a seminar with Home Depot. An informative link was added to the Department website.
Ms. Lafferty is hosting a Green Schools Seminar on February 25, 2010 at the Eaton Intermediate School District. Ms. Lafferty has asked the Eaton Conservation District and the Eaton County Parks to provide additional insight and resources to teachers who attend.
Applications for the Waste Reduction Awards Program were distributed. Applications are due February 26, 2010. Ms. Lafferty asked the Public Works and Planning Committee to seek businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, government entities and individuals who demonstrate exceptional waste reduction, recycling or reuse habits to nominate for the award.
Low-Cost Television Recycling opportunities will occur during the three Electronics Recycling events in 2010 rather than hosting a separate event.
Solid Waste Alternatives Grant first quarter reports were due on January 31. All grantees submitted quarterly reports on time. A report on waste diversion for the quarter was provided to the Committee.
Waste Hauler license renewals were due December 31, 2009. At this time, two waste haulers have yet to submit renewal forms. Ms. Lafferty letters of violation by certified mail.
Solid Waste Surcharges are due January 15, 2010. Three waste haulers have not remitted surcharges or provided paperwork to the Department. Letters of violation were sent by certified mail.
The January 2010 Budget and Finance Reports were distributed and reviewed.
The next Designated Implementing Agency meeting is set for 8:30 a.m. at the conclusion of the Public Works and Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010.
“Grass-To-Gas” Legislation which allows landfill operations with methane-capture and energy production facilities to accept compostable materials is still in Committee. Updates will be available at future meetings. The Department received a letter and copy of a resolution by the Village of Dimondale in opposition to this package of bills.
Ms. Lafferty will be taking the annual Household Hazardous Waste Operator 8-Hour Refresher Course through the Michigan State Police due to some scheduling conflicts with the statewide Household Hazardous Waste Coordinator training.
Ms. Lafferty will attend the Michigan Science Teacher’s Association conference and a training session from the Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support on Energy Education.
The Department newsletter The Eaton County Resource, is ready for printing. This edition, received by 6,000 Eaton County residents includes information on the Michigan Energy Efficiency Grant, new recycling efforts within the County and Citizen’s University.
Ms. Lafferty met with the president of The County Journal to propose the idea of an Earth Day pull-out section to highlight Department activities including the Michigan Energy Efficiency Grant, the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant project at the Eaton County Governmental Complex and other projects occurring in 2010.
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Art Luna, Chairman
Eaton County department of Resource Recovery
~rethinking our dependence on natural resources Today by REducing, REusing & recycling for a better tomorrow~
Printed on recycled paper