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Benton County advisory panel reestablishes procedures, vows clearer public access to meeting materials
Summary
At an orientation meeting July 31, members of the Disposal Site Advisory Committee reviewed bylaws and the committee’s responsibilities, raised concerns about meeting packets and public access to documents, and agreed staff will post materials and a draft 2021 annual report online.
Members of Benton County’s Disposal Site Advisory Committee (DSAC) met July 31 for an orientation and to review updated bylaws, with county staff and committee members emphasizing public access to meeting materials and next steps for overdue annual reports.
The meeting, led by Chair Ken Eklund, focused on committee roles, expectations and logistics. County Administrator Rachel MacKenny told the group she attended to review expectations and asked members to “come at the table with an open mind and committed to treating others with respect.” Solid waste program staff said they will work to make meeting materials more accessible online before future meetings.
The committee’s functions are defined in state law and county code and, as spelled out at the meeting, include reviewing siting and operation of the regional disposal site, providing a forum for public concerns, and preparing an annual report. Bailey Payne, Benton County’s solid waste program coordinator, said staff will continue to organize DSAC meetings, supply relevant information and compile required reports. Payne said materials and summaries will be made available on the county website; members also asked staff to post presentation files before future meetings when possible.
Longstanding committee business surfaced during introductions: the group has not completed annual reports for several years. Chair Ken Eklund and members said DSAC still lacks a finalized 2021 report and also owes 2022 and 2023 reports. Payne said he has drafted a 2022 report and will work with members to combine drafts and fill gaps; staff agreed to circulate the committee’s draft of the 2021 report to members after the meeting.
Committee members pressed staff to restore clearer public-facing procedures for submitting comments and documents. Eklund proposed website language telling residents how to submit written comments and where to send them; staff said they will post updated contact and submission instructions and determine a reasonable deadline for written materials to be included in meeting packets.
The group agreed to schedule regular DSAC meetings and to poll members about the best recurring day and time. Members also requested an on-site tour of Coffin Butte Landfill and nearby Pacific Region Compost; Republic Services representatives offered to organize a site visit in the fall. Staff said future meetings will include public comment periods and that DSAC or any resident can submit comments during the formal land use review process for the landfill expansion, once the county completes its application completeness check.
Speakers quoted in this article appeared during the July 31 DSAC meeting and include county staff and committee members. No formal votes or motions on ordinances or contracts were taken at this meeting.
