ORDINANCE No. 177143

*Authorize application to the State’s Department of Environmental Quality for a grant in the amount of $50,000 to test the use of street sweeping debris as cover material at local landfills (Ordinance).

The City of Portland ordains:        

Section 1.  The Council finds:

1.  The State’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) provides grants to local governments for recycling and solid waste prevention or reduction projects.

2.  The Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) currently collects approximately 25,000 cubic yards of street sweeping debris annually. Enhanced enforcement of Oregon Administrative Rules now requires the City to dispose of this debris into a landfill as solid waste. This will result in an increased cost of $500,000 in the current fiscal year.

3.  As an alternative to disposing of the debris into a landfill, PDOT is interested in conducting a pilot project to use street sweeping debris to determine if it meets DEQ’s requirements as cover material at local landfills at a greatly reduced cost.

4.  Designation of the processed street sweeping debris as cover material will allow the City to convert this material from a solid waste to a useful material with both environmental and economic benefits to the City. This will also contribute towards meeting both the State and City’s waste reduction goals.

5.  With the grant, PDOT plans to process the street sweeping debris over a 15-month trial period. This includes 12 months to test the material and 3 months for DEQ review. The pilot will take place at a local landfill with which the City will partner.

6.  While no matching funds are required, existing City staff and equipment will be required to manage and monitor the testing process.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:

a.  The Mayor is hereby authorized to make an application to the Department of Environmental Quality for a grant in the amount of $50,000.

b.  The Mayor is authorized to provide such information and assurances for the grant period.

Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because failure to approve this ordinance may cause this grant request to not be considered as part of this funding cycle. Therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.  

Passed by the Council,            GARY BLACKMER

Commissioner Jim Francesconi  Auditor of the City of Portland

Mike Boyle              BY

November 22, 2002

DEQ Grant Ordinance  DEPUTY

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 1493-2002

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 177143