Chittenden Solid Waste District

The meeting included a Public Hearing to receive comments, discuss, and potentially act upon the FY27 Proposed Preliminary Budget. Key discussion items during the Regular Meeting covered the FY27 Draft Budget, noting that municipal assessments are not proposed and discussing budget drivers and fee structures. The Board adopted the 2025 Solid Waste Implementation Plan (SWIP). Approvals were sought for expenditures related to the MRF Water Line construction, entering a contract for Fire Rover detection services at the new MRF, and approving a prime contract change order for winter conditions at the MRF. A resolution was adopted to delegate authority to the Executive Director for setting certain rates and charges, including an amendment related to tipping fee adjustments. The Board authorized staff to initiate a public comment period for proposed changes to the Solid Waste Management Ordinance concerning food residual collection and hauler licensing. An executive session was held to discuss legal issues, personnel, and real estate transactions. A resolution was adopted to set the FY2027 public hearing for the February 25, 2026 meeting due to scheduling constraints.

The Executive Board meeting involved adjusting the agenda order to address specific items earlier. Key discussions included approving the purchase of a transformer from Green Mountain Power for the new Materials Recycling Facility, which exceeded the Executive Director's spending authority. The Board also addressed a Notice of Violation concerning Texas Roadhouse for improperly using waste receptacles, ultimately finding the entity in violation of Sections 3.8 and 3.9 of the CSWD Ordinance, imposing a fine of $1,600, and requiring a corrective action plan. During the Executive Session, legal issues, personnel matters, and potential real estate transactions were discussed. Further discussion centered on a draft Delegation of Authority Resolution, specifically debating the delegation of authority to establish tipping fees, while affirming that the solid waste management fee must remain under the full Board's purview due to its nature as a tax.

The Regular Meeting agenda covered several operational and contractual matters. Key discussion items included proposed actions on Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Project Contracts, specifically seeking approval for a Green Mountain Power Three-Phase Extension, a Fire Rover contract, and a change order related to SD Ireland winter conditions. The Board also discussed proposed Ordinance Changes and addressed legal and personnel matters in Executive Session. A significant portion of the meeting involved discussing the potential formal Delegation of Authority to the Executive Director to enhance management efficiencies, with staff clarifying items that would remain under Board purview such as governance and budget approval. Separately, materials provided for review included updates on Solid Waste Management Fee revenues showing tonnage was down year-to-date compared to FY25, progress on the MRF Project underground work, and proposed changes to Personnel Rules and Regulations regarding overtime pay calculation for non-exempt employees and compensatory time accrual for exempt employees.

The regular meeting included a review and acceptance of the agenda and consent agenda, with clarification provided regarding allocated cash definitions. Key discussions centered on the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) Project Contracts, including the authorization of payment up to $80,722 for Green Mountain Power three-phase power upgrades, the approval of a contract with Fire Rover, LLC for fire detection services expected to save approximately $200,000 by negating the need for a fire pump, and approval of Change Order #002 to S.D. Ireland for $316,250 due to winter conditions. The Board also discussed and ultimately passed a Delegation of Authority Resolution after adopting an amendment concerning the Executive Director's authority to adjust tipping fees during the fiscal year. Furthermore, the Board authorized staff to initiate a public comment period for proposed changes to sections 3.10 and 4.8 of the Solid Waste Management Ordinance. An executive session was held to discuss legal issues, personnel, and real estate transactions, resulting in a motion delegating authority to the Board Chair to modify the Executive Director's time off schedule. Finally, a resolution was adopted to set the FY2027 public hearing for the February 25, 2026, Board meeting due to scheduling conflicts.

The meeting agenda included public comment, consideration of the consent agenda, a Notice of Violation for Texas Roadhouse, and discussion of a Delegation of Authority Resolution draft, followed by an Executive Session covering personnel and legal issues. Key discussion points during the earlier review of ordinance and personnel rule changes (intended for the full Board meeting in January 2026) involved closing a loophole for multi-residential housing unit waste collection, updating hauler requirement decal systems, calculating blended overtime rates for employees in multiple roles, changing compensatory time accrual for exempt employees to start after 40 hours, and establishing guidelines for outside employment. During the Executive Session, the Board discussed ongoing and pending litigation and personnel matters. Other business included an update on the new Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) project.