Associate Planner Viado informed the Committee of the first annual Orange County Trash Bash to be held on Saturday, April 29, at the Discovery Museum. The event will recognize various organizations and programs in Orange County that are outstanding in the areas of reducing, reusing, and recycling. The City has nominated the Fullerton Arboretum's Home Composting Program for an award and has also purchased a table at the event. Interested Committee members should contact Ms. Viado if they wish to attend.
Compost Awareness Week - Associate Planner Viado informed the Committee that April 30 - May 6, 2000 has been designated International Compost Awareness Week. A proclamation was issued by the City Council on April 18th to recognize this event.
Measure "M" Citizens Oversight Committee - Associate Planner Viado informed the Committee that the Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA) is seeking interested citizens to apply for the Measure "M" Citizens Oversight Committee. This Committee would be responsible for monitoring the expenditures and status of funds generated by Measure "M", which was the transportation sales tax approved by Orange County voters in 1990. Interested members should contact OCTA for more information and/or application materials.
Greenwaste Program Update- Chairman Hardwick introduced Mark McGee of M. G. Disposal and Dave Ault, Executive Director of Taormina Industries, who presented an informative presentation on the city's Greenwaste Program, current diversion rate and AB939 status. Their presentation began with a brief description of the pilot program, then a discussion of the current citywide Greenwaste Program. They also discussed the success and future outlook of the program. Mr. Ault stated that the City of Fullerton's Greenwaste Program and diversion success puts the city in the top three out of the 11 cities served by M. G. Disposal.
Mr. McGee and Mr. Ault answered various questions by the committee members regarding state law and required diversion rate. Mr. Ault also informed the committee that the League of California Cities is lobbying for a bill, AB1939, which will address the diversion issues after the year 2000 benchmark and what should happen to those cities that did not achieve the required 50%.
Mr. Ault and Mr. McGee further explained how the City's Waste Processing program worked; all materials are taken to Consolidated Volume Transporters (CVT) in Anaheim where 100% of the material is processed. Recyclable materials are sold to various markets and green waste is used for alternate daily cover at the landfills. All non-recyclable waste is then taken to Brea landfill.
Chairman Hardwick asked if there were any questions on the City's waste processing system. Ralph Baker, Fullerton resident, inquired as to whether there were any future plans should the Brea landfill have to close. Mr. Ault indicated that the Brea landfill has a permit to operate until the year 2013 or 2016. Taormina Industries also owns, operates, and has service contracts with several landfills throughout California. They also own landfills in other states, such as Nevada and Arizona.
Further discussion was held on the city's Greenwaste Program and how it appears to be working in most neighborhoods. Mr. McGee indicated the ERMC could be of further help by promoting on-going education of the Greenwaste Program and other Recycling Programs.
