Zero Waste Advisory CommissionFeb. 12, 2020

Nov 21, 2019 Draft Minutes — original pdf

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Zero Waste Advisory Commission Special Meeting Minutes November 21, 2019 The Zero Waste Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on November 21, 2019 in Council Chambers in City Hall in Austin, Texas. The following are the meeting highlights. For detailed information, please visit http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/97_1.htm. CALL TO ORDER Chair Acuna called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Gerry Acuna, Cathy Gattuso, Ian Steyaert, Melissa Rothrock, Amanda Masino, Kaiba White. Absent are: Jonathan Barona, Lisa Barden  Staff in attendance: Ken Snipes, Sam Angoori, Tammie Williamson, Richard McHale, Victoria Rieger, Gena McKinley, Andy Dawson, Donald Hardee, Gabriel Gonzalez, Lori Scott, Scott Long, Marcus Gonzalez, Amy Slagle. 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No citizens signed up to speak. 2. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Chair Acuna entertained a motion. Commissioner Gattuso moved for approval. Seconded by Commissioner Rothrock. Passed on a 6-0 vote. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 3. OLD BUSINESS 3a. Discussion and Action – Impact of Ordinance Change Pursuant to City of Austin Extraterritorial Boundary Revision This item was tabled until January. 4. NEW BUSINESS 4a. Discussion and Action – Proposed 2020 ZWAC Calendar Dates Chair Acuna entertained a motion. Commissioner White moved for approval. Seconded by Commissioner Rothrock. Passed on a 6-0 vote. 4c. Discussion and Action – Create a Working Group to Discuss and Assist with the Development and Implementation of Composting at Multifamily Properties Commissioners Rothrock, Gattuso, White, Masino, and Barona volunteered for the Composting Multifamily Working Group. Chair Acuna moved for approval of the Composting Multifamily Working Group. Seconded by Commissioner White. Motion passed on a 6-0 vote. 4b. Discussion and Action – Proposed Travis County Facility Expansion Chair Acuna proposed a recommendation on the proposed Travis County Facility Expansion and the challenges posed to aviation. Chair Acuna entertained a motion. Commissioner Gattuso moved to accept the recommendation. Commissioner Steyaert seconded. Commissioner Masino proposed a friendly amendment to change: “…varmint and birds of prey…” to “…to attract birds that could present a hazard to air travel…”. Recommendation passed on a 6-0 vote. 5. STAFF BRIEFINGS 5a. Director’s Report: Styrofoam Processing Grant, Aviation Department Bird Strike Data, City of San Antonio and McAllen Fine System Review, Solicitations Update, Statistical Reports and Performance Measures Richard McHale, ARR, presented the Director’s Report. Commissioner Masino wanted to know more information about how the bird data is collected. Chris Moret, Aviation, presented a PowerPoint regarding bird data and its collection. Chris Moret said that there is habitat management and reducing food and water resources for birds. Commissioner Gattuso asked if the landfill expansion will increase bird strikes. Kane Carpenter, Aviation, said that based on the evidence presented to them, the landfill is within compliance. Mr. Carpenter presented information about how to present a hazard on any airport. Chair Acuna voiced his concerns over the expansion of the landfill and the threat it poses to airplanes. Commissioner Rothrock asked for bird strike data on the Portland airport. Mr. Moret said data is available on the FAA website. Commissioner Masino asked about seasonal variations. Mr. Moret said that 53% of strikes occur between July and October. Commissioner Steyaert asked about the correlation between landfills being close to airports. Chris Moret said that there will always be challenges to airports as birds are trying to find habitats, but their numbers are within the average of other airports. Commissioner White asked about the textile recycling solicitation. Mr. McHale said that there is an update. Commissioner Gattuso asked if there is a stagnation mark. Mr. McHale said stagnation occurs around 40%. Commissioner Masino wanted clarification on the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) goals. Mr. McHale said that the increased numbers is due to increased volume of people bringing in materials. Commissioner Masino asked for clarification on the mobile events. Mr. McHale said that mobile events are advertised ahead of time, but a curbside collection is being talked about. Commissioner Masino said that there is a need for home renovators to need to get rid of paint cans and solvents for residents. Commissioner Gattuso asked what items have increased at HHW drop-off center. Andy Dawson, ARR, said there are double-digit increases in all items. Commissioner Rothrock asked if ARR was going to buy another Styrofoam machine for the Northeast Service Center once it’s developed. Andy said that they anticipate buying new equipment for all the HHW services. 6. Violet bag presentation, C&D presentation, Travis County ETJ Impact, Travis County Diversion, Multifamily Compost Working Group update. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT Chair Acuna entertains a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner White moves for adjournment. Seconded by Commissioner Gattuso. The meeting was adjourned by Chair Acuna at 7:39 pm to no objection.