Title
Environmental Commission Resolution to Recommend City Council Approve the City's Constituent Membership in the Washtenaw Regional Resource Management Authority (WRRMA) before June 1, 2019
Body
Whereas, regional recycling authorities permit members to manage multiple materials in order to increase community diversion rates and decrease landfill amounts; to save costs through economies and efficiencies of scale that cities and counties cannot attain on their own; to share risk and investment among community partners; and to consolidate educational efforts and provide consistent messages to all residents within the authority; and
Whereas, there are more than a dozen authorities in Michigan, such as MMWA (Mid-Michigan Waste Authority), and within Southeast Michigan, such as WWRA (Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority), SOCRRA (South Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority), and RRRASOC (Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County) that have successfully reduced cost, increased diversion rates, and improved level of services; and
Whereas, the benefits that would accrue to Ann Arbor and its community partners by achieving an economy of scale through a regional authority would benefit Ann Arbor and its community partners rather than private or contract haulers; and
Whereas, in 2017 Washtenaw County amended its Solid Waste Plan to operate collaboratively within the County and regionally outside of the County for a comprehensive sustainable materials management strategy; and
Whereas, representatives from Ann Arbor Township, the City of Ann Arbor, the City of Dexter, Pittsfield Charter Township, the City of Saline, the Township of Scio, the City of Ypsilanti, and the Charter Township of Ypsilanti met monthly over a twelve-month period to draft Articles of Incorporation; and
Whereas institutions, such as University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University, were also part of this process; and
Whereas, the City of Ann Arbor ...
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