There shall be a Department of Recycling and Materials Management,
under the direction of a Recycling and Materials Management Director,
who shall be appointed by the County Administrator, subject to confirmation
by the Tompkins County Legislature. The Recycling and Materials Management
Director shall be appointed on the basis of professional training
and experience and other qualifications appropriate to the responsibilities
of the office. The Recycling and Materials Management Director shall
be directly responsible to the County Administrator for the implementation
of policies established by the Tompkins County Legislature.
The Recycling and Materials Management Director is responsible
for planning, organizing, and coordinating the overall management
of solid waste for the County. Some examples of solid waste programs
include recycling, recycling collection, composting, re-use, reduction,
household hazardous waste, old landfills, and disposal.
The Recycling and Materials Management Director shall have the
power to appoint all such deputies, assistants, and employees of the
Department as may be authorized by the Tompkins County Legislature.
All deputies, assistants, and employees of the Department shall be
directly responsible to the Director.
The powers and duties of the Recycling and Materials Management
Director shall be to:
(a)
Within the appropriations provided therefor, and with the approval
of the appropriate committee of the Tompkins County Legislature, may
employ such special engineering or technical consultants and incur
such expenses as may be necessary for the performance of any of the
duties related to recycling and materials management programs set
forth in this Charter, or in applicable law, except that professional
fees or other compensation shall not exceed amounts approved by the
Tompkins County Legislature.
(b)
Be responsible for the disposition of recyclables, garbage, and other
waste matter for the County.
(c)
Efficiently and economically utilize staff, material, and equipment
in the disposal, recycling, re-use, transport, and management of materials
in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations. The
recycling and materials management operation is an enterprise activity
and the Recycling and Materials Management Director is responsible
for all business operations at the solid waste facilities.
(d)
Establish and monitor health, environmental, and fiscal standards
for recycling and materials management.
(e)
Manage and supervise the recycling and materials management staff
and all related contractors.
(f)
Undertake solid waste studies and analysis for recommendation to
the Tompkins County Legislature and others.
