Sponsor: Public Health
Title
title
Appointments to the Ad Hoc Solid Waste Advisory Committee
end
Recommendation
recommendation
Appoint the following members to the Ramsey County Ad Hoc Solid Waste Advisory Committee:
Apple, Jill; Bakken, Noelle; Borzcik, Teresa; D’Alencar, Krystle; De La Torre, Fernanda; Dupre, Mary Jo; Eberhard, Michelle; Favila, Melissa; Flores, Terrence; Gurrola, Ellen; Haas, Sara; Hernandez, Cheryl; Holland, Matt; Koppen, Stacy; Liu, Timothy; Manning, Christine; Mitchell, Tisa; Moody, Chelsea; Osborne, Kathy; Pincuspy, Steve; Ristow, Jacob; Roost, Donna; Shah, Suhila; Thacker Muzzy, Nicole; Tkachuck, Joy; Vang, Pahoua; Walsh, Brendan; Wittenberg, Keith; and Wozniak, Joe. end
end
Background and Rationale
body
State law requires that Ramsey County revise its Solid Waste Management Plan in 2024, with input from an advisory committee, the Ad Hoc Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
Committee members will provide input to the goals set forth in the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Solid Waste Management Policy Plan, as well as additional county goals. Advisory committee input will inform what topics the county focuses on in its plan and how the county might approach this work in a way that best serves residents.
The advisory committee will function as a resource group and will participate in facilitated discussions to provide input on specific topics that may include:
• Waste reduction and reuse
• Recycling and trash management
• Food waste reduction and food scraps recycling
• The intersection between climate and waste management
• Advancing race and health equity through environmental justice
Interests of committee members will guide the direction of committee meetings. Committee members will discuss challenges, solutions and priorities and provide recommendations to the county on what to include in its Solid Waste Management Plan.
State and county requirements indicate that the advisory committee will consist of resident representatives, representatives from municipalities, representatives from private waste management firms and a representative from the county’s Community Health Services Advisory Committee. The Waste Reduction Advisory Committee will meet four times in spring of 2024 over the period of one month. Committee members may be sought for additional feedback for up to six months from time of appointment.
Applicants were recruited through county communication channels and with the help of municipalities, Trusted Messengers, cultural consultants, and other partners. There were 58 applicants for the committee. A review panel consisting of staff and community members selected 29 applicants to join the committee. The review process prioritized the selection of a diverse array of committee members that are reflective of the county’s demographics. A full list of proposed committee members is attached. An overview of the demographics of this group is as follows:
|
Race/Ethnicity |
Percent |
|
Asian |
17% |
|
Black |
4% |
|
Hispanic/Latinx |
4% |
|
American Indian/Alaska Native |
4% |
|
Other - Multi-ethnic |
8% |
|
White |
63% |
|
Age group |
Percent |
|
Under 18 |
4% |
|
18 - 25 |
0% |
|
26 - 35 |
25% |
|
36 - 55 |
33% |
|
55+ |
38% |
No applicants in the 18 - 25 age group.
end
County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The Ad Hoc Solid Waste Advisory Committee enables the county to learn and take direction from residents, which enables better service to residents. In recruiting for the committee, staff focused recruitment racially and ethnically diverse communities, particularly Black, American Indian, and Hispanic/Latinx communities.
The review process for committee membership prioritized the selection of committee members that are reflective of the county’s demographics, including geography, race/ethnicity, and age. See above for demographic composition of the committee.
By having a diverse committee composition, the county will be better able to craft a Solid Waste Management Plan that best serves its community. The Solid Waste Management Plan will direct all the county’s work around waste management for the next 20 years. Assessment of the impacts of this work will indicate how the county is performing in terms of racial equity.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Through this process, the county will learn and take direction from residents on how trash and recycling are managed in Ramsey County. The advisory committee is one of multiple ways that the county will engage with residents through the process of drafting its Solid Waste Management Plan. Other methods of engagement will include surveys and outreach at community events.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Advisory committee representatives contribute their time and expertise to provide guidance and oversight to county programs. The Ad Hoc Solid Waste Advisory Committee Bylaws allow for each member to be paid $25 per meeting, with a limit of $300 per year. Committee members will also be provided a full meal at each meeting.
Last Previous Action
On July 18, 2023, the Ramsey County Board approved the amended by-laws for the Ramsey County Ad Hoc Solid Waste Advisory Committee (Resolution B2023-118).
Attachments
1. Proposed Ad-Hoc Solid Waste Advisory Committee Members