MEMORANDUM

Members, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly

THRU: Dale Bagley, Borough Mayor

Jeff Sinz, Finance Director

Max Best, Planning Director

Cathy Mayer, Solid Waste Director

FROM: Lanie Hughes, Environmental Coordinator

DATE: November 27, 2002

SUBJECT: Ordinance 2002-19-26, AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF LAND FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FOR A NEW SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITY FOR SELDOVIA AND APPROPRIATING $632,000 FROM THE LAND TRUST FUND TO ACQUIRE THE LAND

The Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB), Solid Waste Department, has spent the past several years evaluating options for solid waste management in the Seldovia community and has concluded that the most feasible alternative is to purchase University of Alaska land to ensure long-term landfill opportunities for Seldovia.

Background

In the early 1990's, public meetings were held and a solid waste plan adopted by the Borough Assembly. The plan included the primary objective of development of permanent solid waste sites on Borough-owned land.

The Borough reviewed numerous options as part of the long-term planning process for solid waste management in Seldovia, which included the following: 1) purchase the current landfill site (currently leased from Seldovia Native Association - SNA); 2) execute a long-term lease with SNA for the current landfill; 3) close the current landfill and develop another landfill on Borough-owned land; and 4) close the current site and develop a transfer site to haul waste to a landfill outside of Seldovia.

The result of the planning process was to continue to maintain a landfill in Seldovia as the most cost-effective means to manage waste. Since the Borough does not own any suitable land for landfill development in Seldovia, purchase of property is required to achieve this goal.

Current Landfill History

The current landfill is located on +15.05 acres leased by KPB from Seldovia Native Association (SNA) since 1979. Annual lease rate, including use of on-site material for landfill cover, was $7,900 from 1979-1999. Since 1999, the Borough has negotiated annual leases with rates varying from $26,000 in 1999 to the current rate of $51,000 (lease expires June 30, 2004).

SNA prefers a land exchange with the Borough; however the Borough does not have land to trade, and SNA will not sell the landfill parcel.

Temporarily continuing operations at the current site may be in the KPB's best interest if an economical lease rate can be negotiated since there is still space available for landfilling. However, even if the current site continues to operate as a landfill, a new site for long-term use still needs to be identified/acquired.

New Site Selection

KPB evaluated suitable locations that met site selection criteria (minimum 20-acre size, minimal to no travel on residential roads, proximity to core population, and natural treed buffer) and has selected the UA parcel as meeting all necessary criteria and provides a long-term (50 years estimated) solution for solid waste management in Seldovia.

Purchase price is the 2002 market value price of $628,000, and includes both parcels identified as #1 & #2 on the attached map. UA requires both parcels be purchased in the sale.

The SWD contracted with an engineering consultant firm, URS, to perform a landfill feasibility study of the UA land in 2001 in consideration of landfill siting and design requirements of the State of Alaska Solid Waste Management Regulations, 18 AAC 60. The study included identification of a 20-acre portion of the land that is best suited for landfill develoment based on access and ease of development considering major topographical, geological, hydrological and biological features. Also considered in the evaluation were current and identified future needs of the Seldovia community.

Landfill life of this initial planned development phase is +20 yrs. and includes a 10-acre landfill footprint and 10-acre buffer. Additional landfill development/expansion is expected to produce a useful life of ~ 50 yrs. utilizing the 50-acre area identified for waste handling classification on the map. Landfill life is estimated and dependent upon population, waste management techniques, large construction and/or demolition projects, etc.

The consultant also prepared a preliminary design and development cost for the initial 20-acre portion which is estimated at $350,000.

Benefits of purchasing UA land include minimal disruption to current operations if the new site is acquired and developed before the current site closes; KPB would have complete control of all operations, including ability to eliminate current 100 cubic yards SNA lease restriction for waste acceptance and other lease restrictions; ability to prepare a longer-term, multi-year budget; and the potential to allow other portions of the 125-acres to be available for other compatible public use.

Community Input

The SWD hosted a well-advertised community meeting in Seldovia on October 24, 2002 to provide the residents an opportunity to discuss options for future solid waste management. Eleven community members, including representatives of SNA and City of Seldovia city council attended the meeting, as well as KPB Assembly Member Milli Martin.

The general discussion focused on long-term solid waste needs of the community as well as a lack of public lands in Seldovia available for trails, berry picking, target shooting, hunting, and woodcutting.

The majority of attendees supported purchase of the UA land. Although acquisition costs were considered significant, a long-term lease at the current site would be comparable in cost and would still not result in a long-term solution to solid waste management.

Informational Survey/Mailer

Based on the outcome of the community meeting, an informational survey was prepared and mailed on November 14, 2002 to all property owners (547 total) in the Seldovia area, extending out Jakalof Bay Road. Additional surveys were made available for pick-up at the Seldovia city office, and available for download from the Seldovia Herald website.

The mailer presents an overview of the solid waste planning process and requested input from the community on the Borough's recommendation to purchase the UA land. Responses are due back to the SWD by the first week of December.

At the time of this memorandum preparation, 20 responses have been received with 18 in support of the UA land purchase.

City of Seldovia Resolution of Support

The City of Seldovia, City Council, unanimously passed Resolution 03-10 supporting the Kenai Peninsula Borough's purchase of the UA land for purposes of developing a long-term landfill site, and potential additional compatible public use at their November 8, 2002 council meeting.

Recommendation

The KPB SWD has conducted extensive research and planning associated with long-term solid waste management in the Seldovia community and has determined, through widespread involvement from affected residents, that acquisition of the UA land for purposes of waste handling classification and landfill development is a practical and effective solution to solid waste needs.

The KPB SWD hereby requests the Borough Assembly enact this ordinance appropriating funds and authorizing acquisition of the University of Alaska land for a new solid waste disposal facility.

Attachment: Seldovia Vicinity Map - Solid Waste Management Planning

City of Seldovia Resolution 03-10