Referred to:  The Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee (Chairwoman Greene and Legislators Hansut, Levine, Maloney, and Stewart)

Legislator Joe Maloney offers the following:

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency (UCRRA) is a public authority established by the state legislature and governed by the Public Authorities Law under which the County Legislature appoints the members of the UCRRA governing board; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency receives and disposes of solid waste generated in Ulster County pursuant to a contract with Ulster County; and

WHEREAS, in 2023 two of the five members of the UCRRA board resigned and members of the UCRRA board and the public have proposed reform or abolition of the UCRRA; and

WHEREAS, the County Charter and the Legislature Rules of Order authorize the Legislature to establish special committees; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Legislature establishes a special committee, known as the UCRRA Reform Committee, to investigate circumstances surrounding UCRRA operations and policies and recommend reform measures to the Legislature; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the membership of the UCRRA Reform Committee shall include (1) the Chair of the Legislature or the Chair’s legislative member designee; (2) the Chair of the Ulster County Legislature’s Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee or Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee member designee; (3) a legislative member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Ulster County Legislature; (4) the President of the Ulster County Association of Town Supervisors and Village Mayors or Ulster County Association of Town Supervisors and Village Mayors member designee; (5) the Chair of the UCRRA Board of Directors or UCRRA Board of Directors member designee; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the Legislature requests the County Executive or a representative appointed by the County Executive serve in an ex-officio manner in order to provide support as needed, in an effort to encourage an open dialogue; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that all appointments to the UCRRA Reform Committee shall be made within thirty (30) days from the passage of this resolution; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the Commission shall first meet within thirty (30) days of its full membership appointment; and, be it further

RESOLVED, UCRRA Reform Committee members, once appointed, shall serve for the duration of the Committee assignment; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the first meeting of the UCRRA Reform Committee shall be called by the Chair of the Legislature or Chair’s legislative member designee and at that meeting the permanent Chair of the Committee shall be elected; and, be it further

RESOLVED, the UCRRA Reform Committee shall establish its own schedule for meetings and shall be empowered to interview UCRRA staff and directors as it deems appropriate; and be it further

RESOLVED, that within six (6) months of its initial meeting, the UCRRA Reform Committee shall provide a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Ulster County Legislature; and, be it further

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                       NOES:      

Passed Committee: Energy, Environment and Sustainability on ________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE