County and partner staff used the Dec. 5 meeting to report operational and program updates affecting businesses and residents.

Will (City/County representative) said the EPA denied a grant-extension program that previously funded vouchers for businesses and small-quantity generators of hazardous waste; he said that denial means small generators will likely cover the full disposal cost going forward. Will also announced leaf-coupon distribution for composting and named two new staff hires — Matt Busey (planner) and Kristen Allard (interim solid-waste administrator) — and noted that Julie Gilbertson is leaving the city.

Josh reported transfer-station safety and outreach highlights, including record low injury rates and more than 20 tours at the West Van facility; he also noted persistent wood-waste market challenges that are affecting disposal and mill acceptance. Sean, interim program manager for Solid Waste Enforcement, said permitted facilities received inspections in Q3 with no public complaints and that Ecology will support quarterly inspections at Lady Island Landfill until local staff obtain certifications (expected spring 2026).

Sarah (education/outreach) described a USDA grant-funded internship that placed 24 high‑school students in hands‑on composting training and said the We Compost Community Hub network now has 16 sites and has diverted about 70 tons of food scraps. She added the department uses campaign-specific tracking (QR codes, event registrations) but does not yet have a cumulative household-penetration metric for all outreach channels.

Joelle (solid waste division manager) told commissioners the Solid Waste Management Plan was adopted by county council on Sept. 23 and that the county submitted it to Ecology on Oct. 25; she summarized capital improvement work ($900,000 of paving approved) and upcoming RFPs for consulting, tree removal and environmental site assessments at transfer stations.

Provenance: program and staffing updates, enforcement and outreach reports (SEG 1599–SEG 2216).