Solid Waste Commission Meeting - Jan. 22, 2026

Agenda

1. Introductions
2. Community Survey Results Presentation
3. Recycle+ Program Discussion
4. Action Item: Draft Amendments to Administrative Rules
5. Recycling Modernization Act Updates
6. General Updates
7. Public Comment

Commissioners unable to attend, please contact:
Kate Taylor at (503) 742-4455 or ktaylor1@clackamas.us

Minutes

Numbers in parenthesis, e.g. (0:03:06), are recording timestamps

Members Present – Quorum Established: Chad Oyler (via Zoom), Will Mathias, Cheryl Bell, Dawn Loomis, and Julie Hamilton

Staff (DTD Sustainability & Solid Waste): Rick Winterhalter, Tenille Beseda Fillwock, Kate Taylor, Angela Dunham

Guests: Kris Wright, Cindy Rogers, and Dave Huber

Introductions (0:00:50)
Commissioners, staff, and guests introduce themselves.

Community Survey Results Presentation (0:02:15)
Tenille Beseda Fillwock presented community survey results.

Chair Oyler asked if the comments about Ridwell were from a specific location. Staff can look back at the results to get the information. 
No other questions or comments.

Recycle+ Program Discussion (0:22:01)

Chair Oyler reviewed decision timeline for when Recycle+ program was launched and asked if there are plans or intentions to expand the service outside of urban areas.

To answer the question, Kate Taylor presented results from a 2025 collector questionnaire about Recycle+, shared the numbers on the program, and an overview of the service. Information shared included the number of Recycle+ customers, average pickups per person, how the number of participants has shifted since the program started, and how collectors are sharing information about the program to their customers. 

Commissioner Bell asked if there has been conversation with haulers about expansion in more rural areas. Some haulers are okay with expanding to rural customers that are on the fringe of urban areas where collection is more efficient.

Commissioner Bell followed up and asked if collectors have provided feedback about what they see within the program. Commissioner Mathias shared some ways that his company, B&B Leasing, has shared information about the program. It was noted that B&B services more rural than urban areas, and that when someone in a rural area wants Recycle+ they offer it. Recycle+ is advertised by B&B through emails and in other ways. In cities where customers are familiar with Ridwell, and like the milk box-style containers, B&B now offers that same style of container instead of the larger purple bin. B&B has been trying to extend the program in these types of ways.

Commissioner Bell asked if there are changes that would help haulers, or if there are other things haulers need for support.

Commissioner Mathais said that one enhancement would be some type of mobile app for ease of use.

Chair Oyler asked how many respondents in the customer survey requested Ridwell or a similar type of recycling service. Tenille Beseda Fillwock shared the number of survey respondents requesting Recycle+, Ridwell, or something similar.

Commissioner Hamilton asked about Styrofoam pickup options through Recycle+ and noted that many members of the public had requested this. Kate Taylor responded that it would continue to be considered. 

Action Item: Draft Amendments to Administrative Rules (0:35:05)

The Solid Waste Commission requests to make a recommendation to the DT&D director regarding draft amendments to the administrative rules. These rules are authorized by the director, and staff have received helpful feedback from collectors. Within the staff report, there are 3 primary attachments:

1. Draft rules 
2. Summary of collector feedback (yellow highlights in draft rules correspond to the summary; if yellow highlights but don’t see it in the summary, a change was made but there was no discussion of the topic) 
3. Current rules

The overall purpose of this work is to make the rules clearer and more user-friendly for the county, collectors, and members of the public.

Chair Oyler asked if anyone attending via Zoom or in the room has public comment now before the Commission deliberates and votes.

Public Comment (0:38:35)
No questions or comments from anyone attending Zoom or within the room. 

Commission Vote (0:39:20)
Option 1) Vote to approve suggested revisions

Option 2) Vote to reject and look for modifications

Motion to approve the draft amendments to the administrative rules as written by: Commissioner Bell

Motion seconded by: Commissioner Loomis

Vote: 4 in favor, 1 abstained

Recycling Modernization Act Updates (0:42:16)

Rick Winterhalter provided procedural updates. The Board of Commissioners approved the Primary Funding Agreement; Next step is to create an addendum in the Circular Action Alliance (CAA) web portal. Another part of Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) is the contamination reduction plan. A consultant has been hired to help with that, and they will begin reaching out to collectors shortly. This work will be done throughout all cities in the county, as done with waste reduction work, and funds will be distributed evenly. 

General Updates (0:45:37)

Commissioner Bell shared a general update regarding Code Enforcement priorities and outlined how enforcement priorities are selected. There were updates made for clarity in the list of priorities that was sent to the Board, which included adding staff to help with the enforcement of the Recycling Modernization Act. The Board approved of the updates.

Kate Taylor introduced a general update regarding SWC membership. Rick Winterhalter explained that there have been discussions with staff and collectors and asked for Commissioner Bell to explain where this conversation began at the staff level. 

Commissioner Bell explained that she must abstain from a lot of things within the commission because she is also on the staff side, and that over time there has been more conflict. She stated that there is an opportunity for her to still be part of this group but serve at the staff level, coming off as being a seated commissioner, due to conflict of interest that doesn’t serve the commission.

Discussion on the potential impacts of this change ensued. 

Chair Oyler clarified that the proposal is to look at a vote to change the bylaws to remove the current staff and one of the franchisee members. Rick Winterhalter confirmed that this is correct. 

Chair Oyler asked if this would change commission size. Yes, this would change it to 5 for now, but it will be possible to revisit what it looks like to grow it back up again if needed.

Chair Oyler mentioned that there is often a person unable to attend these meetings and asked if being able to achieve a quorum would be a concern. Yes, this would change the size of a quorum so that will always be a concern.

Commissioner Bell added that it’s hard to come in and abstain all the time and she thinks being able to present as staff would make a bigger impact.

Staff will bring this forward to the Commission in the future for a vote. 

Public Comment (00:52:58)
No questions or comments from anyone attending Zoom or within the room. 

Additional General Update (00:54:01) 

Kate Taylor shared that there will be a SWC meeting on May 7th at 3 p.m. that will be focused on rates. She will send a calendar invitation out.

Adjournment (0:55:25)

Motion to adjourn by: Commissioner Loomis

Motion seconded by: Commissioner Mathias

Meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.