SUBJECT:
Title
A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Establishing the Landfill Task Force and Appointing Members to the Landfill Task Force
Body
DEPARTMENT: Environmental Services
Department
PRESENTER(S): David Frank, Director of Environmental Services
Morgan Lommele, Senior Director, Kearns & West
Colin Johnson, Associate, Kearns & West
First Name, Last Name, Title
TIME ESTIMATE: 15 minutes
only required for non-consent items
POLICY ISSUES:
Appointing members to a resident-led Task Force to give advice on potential landfill requests reflects the Council’s previous direction to facilitate robust community engagement on this issue.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Town Council appoint the seven members recommended by Kearns & West to a Task Force. The Task Force will explore Waste Connections’ interest in expanding the Front Range Landfill, the impact that could have on surrounding neighborhoods, the Town’s interest in reducing the impacts of truck traffic going to and from the Landfill. The Task Force would also consider the impacts of Landfill operations, potential public uses upon closure, renewable energy initiatives, and other improvements in the local area. The Task Force, upon appointment, would be charged with making recommendations to Waste Connections and reporting its recommendations to the Town Council. These recommendations would inform a potential land use application from Waste Connections for the Town Council to consider.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Thirty-six people applied to serve on the Erie Landfill Task Force. The application period was open from Jan. 3 - 17, 2024. The Town Council previously agreed the Landfill Task Force must be comprised of four members representing neighborhoods immediately adjacent to the landfill, including one from the Ranch Eggs neighborhood, and three members representing the community at large. Other membership criteria include:
• Tour the Front Range Landfill prior to the first Task Force meeting.
• Ability to participate in Task Force meetings until the Task Force makes a recommendation(s).
• Effectively solicit and communicate feedback from their respective communities.
• Ideally have related expertise relevant to the Task Force’s scope of work.
Prospective members were asked to provide their contact information and how long they have been an Erie resident, and address ten questions, shared at the end of this document. Kearns & West analyzed the 36 applications received and scored each, on a scale of 1 - 5 (five being the best score) based on the following criteria:
• Ability to contribute community/neighborhood knowledge, represent community, and/or create buy in for Landfill Task Force decisions in the community.
• Ability to contribute with landfill/subject matter knowledge or other relevant experience.
• Grasp of issues facing Erie and landfill operations.
• Willingness to work together to co-create solutions and contribute in good faith.
TOWN COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Attractive Community Amenities
ü Engaged and Diverse Community
ü Prosperous Economy
ü Well-Maintained Transportation Infrastructure
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ü Environmentally Sustainable
ü Fiscally Responsible
ATTACHMENT:
1. Resolution 24-024
2. Landfill Task Force Member Recommendations
3. Applications of Recommended Members
4. Landfill Task Force Charter
5. Kearns & West Presentation