Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Landfill Post Closure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cobb commissioners hold public hearing on post-closure analyses for three closed landfills
Summary
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners conducted a public hearing June 24 on plans to hire a consultant to perform post-closure analyses for three closed landfills; staff said the contract could exceed $200,000 as required for a public hearing, and at least one member of the public urged the county to consider methane capture and reuse.
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing June 24 to consider hiring an outside firm to conduct comprehensive post-closure analyses of three closed county landfills, a step county staff said could require a contract exceeding $200,000.
The hearing matters because state law requires a public hearing before the county spends $200,000 or more on an independent contractor, Cobb Public Services Agency Director Jeton Gibson told the commission. "In accordance with the state law, the Board of Commissioners is required to conduct a public hearing prior to expending county funds of $200,000 or more to employ an independent contractor consulting firm or to conduct an independent survey or study," Gibson said, and he identified the three sites as the Cheatham Road Sanitary Landfill, the County Farm Road landfill and the County Farm Drive landfill.
The county described phase-one work as a comprehensive analysis intended to inform whether the current post‑closure care liability is appropriate. The public hearing had an open, three‑minute speaking period; staff said notice of the hearing appeared in the Marietta Daily Journal in June.
During public comment, resident Craig Harfoot urged the county to consider reuse options in addition to the analysis. He noted historical examples of land‑reclamation and suggested the county look into methane recovery at County Farm Road, saying, "You might want whoever's gonna look into that, that's something to consider over on County Farm Road because the county can have free energy to run whatever." Harfoot also offered general historical observations about landfill reuse.
After the testimony period, the commissioners closed that portion of the hearing and invited questions for staff. No contract award was made at the meeting; staff said the purpose of the hearing was to receive public input in advance of seeking proposals and completing the analysis.
Next steps described by staff include proceeding with procurement consistent with state requirements and the county's procurement rules; staff will return to the board with recommendations if and when a contract is proposed.
Public comment and staff questions during this hearing were limited to the landfill analyses; county staff advised attendees to connect with the department after the meeting for further technical follow-up.
