BC 2011 05 16 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

May 16, 2011 (Regular Meeting) Page 432 UPON MOTION of Vice Chairman Poole, seconded by Commissioner Burrage and unanimously carried, the Board approved the contract between Cabarrus County and the Cabarrus Literacy Council and authorized the County Manager to execute the contract on behalf of Cabarrus County, subject to review or revisions by the County Attorney. Chairman White requested the Board be updated on the progress of the program. (G -3) Solid Waste - Cabarrus County Construction and Demolition Landfill - Future Operations Kevin Grant, Sustainability Manager, presented the following information relating to future operations of the Cabarrus County Construction and Demolition Landfill: As discussed during the work session, the Cabarrus County Construction and Demolition landfill has a very limited amount of air space remaining in its current cell. A reduction in revenue and increased environmental compliance costs has created a situation in which a contribution from the General Fund of at least $1.8 M - $2.6 M is required. This is whether we expand or even close the landfill. State regulations call for Cabarrus County to maintain a closure / post closure balance in the range of $3.5 - $4.5 Million based on how we proceed and we are currently do not have enough in the enterprise fund to cover this. The closure / post closure balance is be used for completing final closure of the landfill and to conduct environmental monitoring of the landfill for 30 years after final closure. Based on these 2 options, it would make most sense to close the landfill. Greenway Waste Solutions recently approached us and presented the County with a potential 3 rd option: a public / private partnership agreement with Cabarrus County. What Greenway Waste Solutions is proposing would continue to keep the landfill open, expand the amount of construction and demolition material that is recycled, and construct and operate a type 3 compost operation. Their proposal would eliminate the need for the General Fund to make any contribution to the landfill. Additional savings realized to the County could be approximately $5 million over the life of the landfill. I am asking the Board of Commissioners to consider approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Cabarrus County and Greenway Waste Solutions. This MOU would allow us to continue to work with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources towards obtaining a permit modification and to also work towards obtaining a construction permit for the landfill expansion. There is no guarantee that they will approve this expansion and if this is the case the MOU would be terminated. It was requested at the work session that supplemental information be provided concerning Greenway Waste Solutions' Highway 49 C &D Landfill in Harrisburg. This information has been included in the agenda package. Mr. Grant stated his availability to respond to questions and addressed the following issues raised by the Board: the County will continue to be the permit holder for the landfill; responsibility and liability issues for the County; stipulations to be included in the contract; John Day, County Manager, advised that many of these issues will be addressed during the due diligence period and must be satisfactory to both parties. If not, a contract will not be issued. He said this MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) is the first step among many. Mr. Grant advised that permits and approvals from State regulators must be acquired before work on a draft contract can begin. He and Mr. Day also responded to questions on the post closure fund; the enterprise fund; cost of environmental costs have increased; etc. Discussion continued.