HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06-17-2010
St. Lucie County Sustainability Advisory Committee
JUNE 17, 2010
MEETING MINUTES
Present: Alan Gilbert, Robert Tabor, Donna Rhoden, Eric Winterstein, Larry Pelton, Bob Cenk, Doug Coward
Staff and Guests: Sandra Bogan, ERD; John Tompeck, FPUA; Craig Linton, Evans Properties; Ron LeClair, Cold-Plus
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The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 1:06 pm
MOTION TO APPROVE minutes of the June 2, 2010 meeting made by Eric Winterstein, seconded by Donna Rhoden, approved
unanimously.
MOTION TO RE-APPROVE minutes from the April 29, 2010 meeting made by Eric Winterstein, seconded by Donna Rhoden,
passed unanimously.
The Committee commended Commissioner Coward for St. Lucie County being awarded funding from the energy grant. Commissioner
Coward credited staff for working hard, and also told the committee about a new partnership St. Lucie County is working on with an
international research lab to create sustainability models that can be replicated nationally.
John Tompeck with Ft. Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) gave a presentation on the deconstruction of the downtown power plant and
how nearly all of the materials were recycled. Initially the cost of deconstruction was going to be $3.5 million. Instead, FPUA made
$800,000. Highlights included concrete being used as fill; 900 tons of metals recycled, including copper, aluminum, and steel; and
20,000 gallons of oil reclaimed.
The Committee discussed strategies for reducing waste. The plasma arc plant was discussed as a way to change waste into energy.
However, it was pointed out that the plant requires a certain amount of waste coming in, so does nothing to address consumption of
resources upstream.
Sandy pointed out that while there are several companies and non-profits that can take items for resale, reuse, or repair, the issue is
enhancing participation from residents in diverting waste from the landfill. Currently, residents aren’t focused on how much waste they
produce because they are charged the same, and they don’t see it on a monthly bill. A consumption-based system, such as EPA’s Pay
as You Throw being used by thousands of communities across the nation, would give residents the option of paying less for producing
less waste, and paying more for producing more waste.
Composting of organic waste was also discussed. Sandy said that staff had met with a company that had recently set up a plant in
Delaware, all through private funding. The difference however, was that tipping fees there for regular garbage were $65+ per ton, so
the private company could charge less and make a profit. Tipping fees in St. Lucie are about $26 per ton, so the exact model could not
be replicated here, and we would have to find other creative ways to make it happen.
Alan Gilbert reminded the Committee that he has resigned from the school district and therefore was resigning from the Committee.
Sandy presented Mr. Gilbert with a plaque recognizing his service to St. Lucie County and its sustainability efforts.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 2:39, motion by Eric Winterstein, seconded by Donna Rhoden, unanimously approved.