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BCC Minutes 09/15/1993 W (Landfill Expansion) Naples, Florida, September 15, 1993 LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Board of County Commiss~oners ~n and for the County of Collier, and also acting as the Board of Zoning Appeals and as the governing board(s) of such special districts as have been created according to law and having conducted business herein, met on this date at 6:00 P.M. in WORKSHOP SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the following members present: CHAIRMAN: Burr L. Saunders VICE-CHAIRMAN: Timothy J. Constantine John C. Norris Michael J. Volpe Bettye J. Matthews ALSO PRESENT: Annette Guevin, Recording Secretary and Ell~e Hoffman, Deputy Clerk; Neil Dorrill, County Manager; Will~am Hargett, Assistant County Manager; Ken Cuyler, County Attorney; Bill Lorenz, Environmental Services Administrator; David Russell, Acting Solid Waste Director; Dr. Fran Stallings, Natural Resources D~rector; and Reginald Boucher, Solid Waste Engineering Pro~ect Manager. Page September 15, 1993 Tap~! DISCUSSION REGARDING THE LANDFILL EXPANSION - STAFF DIRECTED TO DISCONTII~]E ACQUISITION OF PROPERTIES NORTH OF TH~ LANDFILL AND TO PURSUE ALL POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES Legal notice having been published ~n the Naples Daily News on August 29, 1993, as evidenced by Affidavit of Publication filed with the Clerk, a public workshop was held. Commissioner Saunders explained this meeting has been advertised as a workshop, which allows an informal discussion of the issues related to the operations of the County landfill, and to seek input concerning alternatives to the current system. However, he said, final action cannot be taken on any recommendations presented at this time. Bill Lorenz, Environmental Services Administrator, reported that a member of the public recently provided Staff with a list of questions, which have been answered as contained tn the packet given to the Board. (Copy not provided to the Clerk to the Board.) Mr. Lorenz indicated he will give an overview of the landfill pro- ]ect's history; Growth Management Implications; a basis for recom- mending the expansion site over a separate site; a basis for recommending the northern area over the western area; schedule con- siderations; and the cost impacts of the project. He noted over five years ago, the County put in place the Growth Management Plan that identified expanding the existing landfill as opposed to providing a separate site. He said the Plan directed Staff to acquire land beginning in FY 89, with the Capital Improvement Element originally identifying the acquisition of 300 acres. He reported the Solid Waste Master Plan recommended the acquisition and development of the western 300-acre parcel for expansion. He commented even at the time of the adoption of the Solid Waste Master Plan, it was acknowledged that the western acreage had severe environmental constraints. He said up to 120 additional acres would be needed for wetland mitigation. He recalled in 1990, the Board provided authorization for Staff to Page 2 September 15, 1993 acquire contt~uous lands to the ex/sting landfill site; and in 1992, it was determined that the northern acreage was preferable and Staff was authorized to focus on that area. He pointed out since adoption of the Growth Management Plan, Staff has received 42 separate authori- zations by the Board to acquire the property in the northern area. He also noted the acquisition of land was identified in the last two strategic plans taken to the Board and a workshop was held on the sub- Ject in February, 1992. He stated as a Category A facility of the Growth Management Plan, this expansion must be in place or under construction, or be subject to a County-wide building moratorium. Mr. Lorenz continued, advising that Staff has acquired 313 of the 360 acres targeted. He said it is critical to understand if this expansion site is rejected, the County will immediately violate the concurrency requirements for raw land, which must be maintained at a 10-year advance supply. He disclosed the key aspect is the cost of the expanded site versus the cost of a new site. He explained Staff has analyzed the effects of haullng and disposal costs for a new /and- fill and have also looked at who pays, i.e., residences, businesses and the City of Naples as a major hauler. He noted the total dollar costs for a new site versus the expansion will be between $16- and $43-million, with 85 percent being paid by commercial entities. Mr. Lorenz stated due to the evident environmental concerns with the western acreage, in May of 1991, the Board authorized a contract with Post, Buckley, Schuh and Jernigan to evaluate whether the western site was the better site over the northern site. He concluded with the strong recommendation that the Board provide authorization for Staff to complete the acquisition process to meet the schedule, noting eight properties are outstanding. He reiterated failure to meet the schedule will put the County into violation of concurrency require- ments. Sam Levine, Director of Solid Waste Services for Post, Buckley, Schuh and Jerntgan, referred to maps depicting the current and pro- posed sites as well as the western site, and detailed the reasons why Page 3 September 15, 1993 the northern site is preferable to the originally selected western site. He noted their evaluation included an alternative site assessment through a negative screening process. He explained through a series of overlays, the various reasons land throughout Collier County cannot be utilized for landfill purposes. Commissioner Volpe commented that people have concerns about the operational aspects of the existing landfill. He asked if any impro- vements for gas management, noise control, etc., have been planned for the existing site? Mr. Lorenz replied the cost analysis includes $1.5-million .to retrofit the existing site for gas management within the next five years. Commissioner Volpe pointed out Collier County has another landfill in Immokalee and asked if that site can be expanded? Mr. Lorenz advised the Immokalee landfill is being expanded to handle the Immokalee disposal needs. In fact, he said, they are looking at a 30-year expansion. He asserted the Immokalee landfill is so small that if all the waste from Naples is diverted to that site, that capacity would be used up in three years. Commissioner Volpe asked if the possibility of a Materials Reclamation Facility (MRF) has been factored into the future useful life of the Naples landfill, to which Mr. Lorenz responded in the negative. He added there will be a timing problem with an MRF, which will take three to four years to be in place. In answer to Commissioner Volpe, Mr. Lorenz stated the capital costs for a MRF are approximately $10-15 mil/ion. Commissioner Saunders noted if the landfill ts moved to another site, the increase on an annual residential bill will be approximately 5-6 percent, which is not a sign/f/cant amount. He voiced his opinion that a determination must be made if there are alternate sites available rather than expanding the current site. Mr. Lorenz pointed out that the cost analysis is the best that can be provided without actually selecting specific sites. Page 4 September 15, 1993 Commissioner Constantine communicated the exclusionary criteria used by the consultants Included attempting to stay away from residen- tial areas. He wondered how the population in the Golden Gate/East Naples area of the landfill has changed since the landfill was nally approved at its present site? He also noted another con- sideratton was to stay away from 1-75 by one section, which would be one-half mile on either side, and to also maintain a one mile buffer from other Counties. Mr. Levtne explained that Bills have occasionally come before the Florida State Legislature to use one to five mile buffers from County borders. With regard to 1-75, he said, the half-mile buffer is more of a visual buffer distance and if needed, a visual buffer can be engineered. The fo/lowing people spoke at this time: Charles Salmon George Keller Barbara Jenkins Kay Klvever · e. Deput~y Clerk Hoff~an replaced Recording Secretary ~uevln Tape ~2 James Jenkins Wayne Jenkins Steve Hall (with petition [not provided to the Clerk to the Board]} R. Dennis Chambers Joe Townsend Ed Scheerer Beverly Maranto Jim Stewart Bob Krasowski Cannes Arthur Pritzker Tape #3 Nancy S. Kelly Ellsworth Mink Jim Elias A1 Perkins Dr. C. A. Stokes Mrs. Gus Stamatinos Chris Straton Brad Cornell Jim Pugh ce, Recording Secretary Ouevin replaced Deputy Clerk Roll.an at this time Cedell Garland Dom Wings Commissioner Constantine suggested the Board direct Staff to look at specific alternate sites, both within and outside of Collier County, for the environmental and cost impacts as well as how to meet State requirements. Commissioner Norris agreed and added all other alternatives should be exhausted before the current site is expanded. Commissioner Volpe noted many of the suggestions proposed at this Page 5 September 15, 1993 hearing have been previously discussed, I.e., composttng, expanding the recycling program and constructing a MRF0 He stated from this discussion, he ~s not in favor of expanding this site. He suggested, however, that Staff be d~rected to Immediately begin exploring a gas management program to address some of the operational concerns expressed. Commissioner Matthews asked that all possible technologies be Investigated. She further expressed the desire that wells be checked on a monthly basis rather than quarterly, for water quality. She com- municated with regard to providing a one mile buffer from another County line, that Collier County residents deserve the same con- stderatton. Commissioner Saunders complimented Staff on fo/lowing the direc- tion of the Board and providing the information needed to make a logi- cal decision. He suggested a Request for Proposals (RFP) and/or a Request for Qualifications be solicited from firms such as Waste Management and Chambers Development who have ~ndtcated they have Inno- vative techniques that may eliminate the need to move or expand the landfill. He asked that the Idea of a clean or dirty MRF be explored once again. He also remarked that he has long been convinced the tipping fees are too /ow and asked that they be looked at. He concluded that he does not support an expansion to the north due to a change tn circumstances that the Board must react to. Com~iseIoner Constantine moved, seconded by Co~teatoner Norris, to put exl~mn~ton of the current site at the bottom of the list of alternatives; begin specific analyses of alternative sites within and outside Collier County; and begin the process to prepare a RFP to see what other technologies or alternatives ars available. County Manager DorrIll advised that the Board needs to establish at a subsequent meeting, the alternative technologies the Board will wish to receive proposals on, such as an expansion of the recy¢ltn~ program; an analysis of a MRF; composttng; off-site landfills, including the Immokalee landfill as well as landfills outside the 07 Page 6 September 15, 1993 County; and third-party agreements to totally prtvatlze the solid waste aspect. He also suggested rather than merely taking proposals, that the Board take Requests for Qualifications, and pre-qualify those firms that will ultimately submit proposals on a variety of tech- nologies. He said the firms should be pre-qualified on their experience and longevity, their capitalization and their ability to post an environmental surety bond to protect the Board in the event of environmental problems. Comtsstoner Constantine a~ended the motion, seconded by Commissioner Constantine to Include the above suggestions of County Manager Dorrill. Commissioner Volpe asked that the motion include increased moni- toring of wells; gas management and safety at the current site; and investigation of relocating the tire recycling operation and hor- ticultural waste from the current landfill to create additional space. Commissioner Saunders suggested Staff return with a proposal to address the conditions at the current site. Upon call for the question, the motion carried unanimously. County Manager Dorrtll communicated with regard to odor collec- tion and disbursement, or Incineration and prolonging the capacity of the existing landfill by relocating certain aspects or accelerating the landfill mining, there are additional issues pertaining to the County's operating license and other evaluations. He said at some point, Staff may need some assistance to prepare technical RFP's from firms that have been pre-qualified. He explained although in many .instances Staff can do the majority of that work, the entire Solid Waste administration and engineering section consists of only two employees. He acknowledged that Post, Buckley, Schuh and Jerntgan have provided very competent technical assistance thus far, and he may need to come back to the Board requesting the authority to consult for very narrow, defined extra service Items as part of their contract in order to remain on schedule. Commissioner Volpe asked that Staff return with an action plan 08' Page 7 September :15, :1993 which is easily understood. County Manager Dorrtll asserted the Initial plan of action and subsequent consultant assistance could be brought back to the Board within four to six weeks. There being no further business for the Good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by Order of the Chair - Time: 9:45 P.M. 09 Page 8