HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Solid WasteATTENDANCE:
Mark Wash*
Sam Dart
Rob Jones
Judy Madewell*
Diane Kohout*
Stephanie Shopbell*
Chad Leeder
SWAC MEETING MINUTES
October 6 @ 2:00 pm
Sam Castro
Jason Collings
Joan Sieverkropp
Danna DalPorto *
James Liebrecht*
Brian Carstensen*
Ken Gimpel
*Indicates SWAC Voting member
SWAC Members Absent:
Melissa Olsen, Elliot Delong
Because the chairperson, was running late, Joan Sieverkropp gave updates on the solid waste management
Plan, moderate risk waste, and recycling before the meeting was called to order. She said that the County
has revised the Solid Waste Management Plan to fit current conditions and has asked the consultant to
help with the cost assessment. The consultant would like to wait for updated population projections that
are expected before the end of the year. She also informed the group that household hazardous waste
collection events in 2022 have been held in Ephrata, Moses Lake, and Grand Coulee so far and that
upcoming events include Moses Lake and Mattawa. In addition, the County conducted three tire
collection events in 2021 and 2022. The County hopes to have one more event later this fall if the
Department of Ecology executes a new contract with a vendor. If the event proceeds, it will be held at the
Port of Moses Lake. Finally, Joan gave a short update on E2SHB 1799 which passed the state legislature
in 2022. Cities and counties with populations greater than 25,000 will be required to adopt a compost
procurement ordinance before 2023. There will also be requirements when updating or amending the
SWMP to consider the transition to provide organic materials collection services to certain residents and
businesses in 2027 and to identify priority areas within the county for establishing an organic materials
management facility in Solid Waste Management Plans. Ken Gimpel stressed that Ecology is still
working to interpret the new law. Sam Dart said that the County has a procurement ordinance currently
under review.
The meeting was called to order by Mark Wash, Chairperson.
Mark informed the group that it was time to call for elections for chairperson and vice chairperson. First,
he asked for nominations for chairperson. Jim Liebrecht nominated Mark Wash and Danna DalPorto
seconded the nomination. All voted in favor. Next, Mark Wash asked for nominations for vice -
chairperson. Jim Liebrecht nominated himself and Diane Kohout seconded it. All were in favor.
The meeting was turned over to Sam Castro to give an update on the Mattawa Drop Box. He told the
group that the SWAC had previously made a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners to
close the drop box because of operational and financial concerns, but the BOCC wanted to keep it open.
Consequently, the County raised rates in an attempt to break even, but the Mattawa drop box revenue -
expenditure report for 2022 shows the County is still losing money. In addition, the number of
transactions and tonnage received has decreased substantially. Sam also said that the Port of Mattawa