Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio
Public Records Request Policy

Introduction:
It is the policy of the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio ("SWACO") that openness leads to a better informed citizenry, which leads to better government and better public policy. It is the policy of SWACO to strictly adhere to the State Of Ohio's Public Records Act as set forth in Ohio Revised Code section 149.43. Any denial of public records in response to a request will be accompanied by an explanation, including legal authority, as set forth in the Ohio Revised Code.  If the request is in writing, any explanation denying a request shall also be in writing.

Section 1. Public records. SWACO, in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code, defines records as including the following: Any document – paper, electronic (including, but not limited to, e-mail), or other format – that is created or received by, or comes under the jurisdiction of SWACO that documents the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of SWACO. All records of SWACO are public unless they are specifically exempt from disclosure under the Ohio Revised Code.

    -Section 1.1. It is the policy of SWACO, that, as required by Ohio law, records will  be organized and maintained so that they are readily available for inspection and copying.  Record retention schedules shall be updated regularly and made readily available to the public.

Section 2. Record requests. Although no specific language is required to make a request, the requester must at least identify or describe the records requested with sufficient clarity to allow SWACO to identify, retrieve, and review the records. If it is not clear what records are being sought, SWACO's Records Clerk or other designee shall contact the requester for clarification, and will assist the requestor in revising the request by informing the requestor of the manner in which SWACO keeps its records.

    -Section 2.1. The requester does not have to put a records request in writing, and does not have to provide his or her identity or the intended use of the requested public record. If the requestor does not desire to provide his or her identity, then SWACO will assign that requestor a "public records request number" which SWACO will use to track communications with the requestor and SWACO's responses to the request.
  
    -Section 2.2. Public records shall be available for inspection during regular business hours on days that SWACO is open for business. Public records will be made available for inspection promptly. Copies of records will be provided if requested and will be made available within a reasonable period of time. The terms “Prompt” and "reasonable” take into account the volume of records requested; the proximity of the location where the records are stored; and the necessity for any legal review of the records requested.

       -Section 2.3. Each request will be evaluated to determine SWACO's estimated response time to the
request, taking into account the volume of records requested; the proximity of the location where the records are stored; and the necessity for any legal review of the records requested. If SWACO cannot immediately satisfy a public records request, then SWACO shall acknowledge receipt of the public records request and indicate to the requester the estimated number of business days it will take to satisfy the request; the estimated cost if copies are requested or mailing of copies is requested; and any known items within the request that may be exempt from disclosure. If necessary, SWACO shall update the information contained in the acknowledgement from time to time until the request for public records is satisfied.

    -Section 2.4.  Any denial of a requested public record shall include an explanation, including legal authority for the denial. If portions of a record are public and portions are exempt, the exempt portions will be redacted and the non-exempt portion released. If there are redactions in a record, each redaction shall be accompanied by a supporting explanation, including legal authority.
   
Section 3. Costs for Public Records. Requesters seeking copies of public records will be charged only the actual cost of making copies and, if appropriate, the costs of mailing copies of the requested records to the requester via U.S. Postal Service or some other delivery service.  SWACO may require a requester to pay the costs associated with copying, downloading or mailing records prior to providing the requester with the desired records.
  
    -Section 3.1. The charge for paper copies is five (5) cents per page.
    -Section 3.2. The charge for downloaded computer files to a compact disc is one (1) dollar per disc.
    -Section 3.3. There is no charge for documents transmitted via e-mail.
    -Section 3.4.  Requesters may ask that documents be mailed to them. They will be charged the actual cost of the postage and mailing supplies, as well as a five (5) cent per page charge for the paper copies, and a one (1) dollar cost for each compact disc.    

Meeting Notice Information

Please Note:
To obtain a copy of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio online:  CAFR on-line   or call 871-5100.

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NOTICE: The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) will be holding a retreat for the Board of Trustees from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, October 20, 2011 at the Pinnacle Club Ballroom East, 1500 Pinnacle Club Drive; Grove City, OH 43123. For additional information, call (614) 871-5100, Ext. 102.

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SWACO Board of Trustees Meeting Notice (BOT):
The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) will hold it’s regular monthly Board of Trustees’ meeting beginning at 2:30 p.m. on the following dates:

SWACO Administration Building
2:30 pm
4239 London-Groveport Road
Grove City, Ohio 43123
614-871-5100

Please Note:
The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) is accepting nominations for two positions on the Board of Trustees that expire 11/20/11; one, representing the General Interest of Citizens; the other, representing Industrial, Commercial & Institutional Waste Generators. Nominations will be accepted until October 31, 2011.
Address letters to:
SWACO Board Chairman
4239 London Groveport Road
Grove City, OH 43123

2010 Board Meeting Schedule

•  January 6		• July 7
•  February 1		• August 2
• March 1		• September 8
• April 5		October 4
• May 3		November 1
• June 7		December 6

The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the meetings. To obtain a copy of an agenda, call 614-871-5100 or view when available, on the SWACO website. (Items on the agenda may include, but are not limited to new business, old business, executive staff report and public comment. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the meeting.)

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THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES TO MEET:

Engineering, Operations & Compliance and the Planning and Program Joint Committees

Tuesday:
February 15		March 15
April 19		May 17 (now 25)
June 21		July 19
August 16		September 20
October 18		November 15
December 20

2:30 pm
The SWACO Administrative Office Building
4239 London-Groveport Road
Grove City, Ohio

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The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) is establishing a 30-day written comment period (March 3, 2011 until April 3, 2011) on the draft Solid Waste Management Plan Update (Plan Update) (Ohio Revised Code Section 3734.55). SWACO has prepared the draft Plan Update as required by Section 3734.54 of the Ohio Revised Code. The draft Plan Update includes a solid waste facility inventory, projections and strategies, facilities and programs to be used, an analysis of progress made toward achieving state waste reduction goals, cost to finance the plan and SWACO rules.

This draft is an update to a previously approved solid waste plan. This Plan Update details existing programs including the Education and Community Awareness Programs, Residential/Commercial Recycling and Collection Programs, Industrial Waste Reduction Strategies, Litter and Illegal Dumping Programs and other programs such as Strategic Planning, Market Development, SWACO Consortiums and Wasteshed Planning. Other specific programs include the Non-subscription Curbside Recycling Programs, Drop-off Recycling Programs, Yard Waste Management, Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Processing, Facility Solid Waste Management Planning, Electronics Recycling, Tire Recycling, City of Columbus Recycling Programs and Organics Collection and Processing System.

The draft Plan Update includes a demonstration of access to capacity and determines there is more than fifteen years of landfill capacity available to SWACO. Specifically, the SWACO Landfill has enough capacity to manage all of the waste generated in the district through 2025.

This draft Plan Update continues to authorize the SWACO Board of Trustees to establish facility designations in accordance with Section 343.013 of the Ohio Revised Code.

The draft Plan Update includes a waiver process in accordance with SWACO Rule 8-2008 to permit delivery of solid waste to facilities that are not designated. A waiver requires approval by SWACO’s Board of Trustees.

The draft Plan Update includes a detailed siting strategy for the submission and review of plans, specifications and application of the siting strategy to proposed solid waste facilities including the maximum feasible utilization and exemption of existing in-district facilities.

The draft Plan Update complies with State Plan Goal #1: Access to Waste Management Opportunities. The District shall provide access to recycling and waste minimization opportunities for municipal solid waste to its residents and businesses.

SWACO currently funds plan programs through a solid waste generation fee of $5.00 per ton.

SWACO will hold a public hearing to obtain oral comments regarding the draft Plan Update on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the SWACO Conference Room, 4239 London Groveport Road, Grove City, Ohio 43123.
SWACO will accept written comments as required by Ohio Revised Code Section 3734.55 on the draft Plan Update from March 3, 2011 until April 3, 2011. Written comments should be sent to Mr. Ron Mills, Executive Director, 4239 London Groveport Road, Grove City, Ohio 43123

The draft Plan Update is available for review at the SWACO office, 4239 London Groveport Road, Grove City, Ohio 43123, during normal business hours and on the SWACO website. Please call (614) 871-5100 with any questions about the Plan Update or the opportunity to review a copy.

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SWACO is granted the authority to adopt or revise rules for the establishment and maintenance of its solid waste district pursuant to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Chapter 343.01(G).

Pursuant to ORC §3734.576 (B)(1), an Authority that has levied a Generation Fee under ORC §3734.573 may adopt a resolution exempting auto shredder residue (ASR) from that fee. ORC§3734.576(C) authorizes SWACO to eliminate any such exemption of ASR from its generation fee.

SWACO has historically exempted ASR from its generation and waiver fees, and previously adopted District Rule 13-2008 (exempting ASR from its generation fee) and District Rule 14-2008 (exempting ASR from its waiver fee) as part of a general revision of its Rules in Resolution 110-08.

SWACO repealed Rules 13-2008 & 14-2008 in February 2011, thus requiring ASR to be delivered to a SWACO designated facility for disposal. Please be advised that this shall serve as public notice of the repeal of the SWACO District Rules which previously granted the exemption from fees for ASR material.