Brunswick vows to veto Medina County Solid Waste District flow control plan – Cleveland.com

 

Report on Brunswick Municipal Decisions and Sustainable Development Alignment

Executive Summary

This report details recent decisions by the Brunswick City Council, with a primary focus on the city’s strategic positioning regarding the Medina County Solid Waste Management District Plan. The city’s actions reflect a commitment to achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of sustainable communities, responsible production, economic growth, and resilient infrastructure. Key decisions include formally opposing the county’s “flow control” waste management mechanism, investing in modern digital infrastructure, and approving measures that support public safety and local economic activity.

Solid Waste Management and Municipal Autonomy

Opposition to “Flow Control” in Pursuit of SDG 11 and SDG 12

The Brunswick City Council has taken a formal stance against the “flow control” provision within the Medina County Solid Waste Management District’s forthcoming plan. This mechanism would mandate that all municipal solid waste be processed at the Medina County Sanitary Transfer Station. The city’s opposition is rooted in principles aligned with several SDGs:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By seeking a waiver, Brunswick aims to optimize its municipal waste management (Target 11.6) by exploring more efficient and cost-effective private sector alternatives. This autonomy allows the city to tailor services to better meet the economic needs of its residents.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The decision to potentially divert waste to a privately owned transfer station allows for competitive and potentially more innovative approaches to waste management, contributing to the environmentally sound management of waste (Target 12.5).

Economic and Strategic Implications

The council’s decision, authorized through a motion on July 14, is projected to have significant financial and strategic consequences.

1. Household Economic Relief: According to a memo from the Service Director, opting out of flow control could result in household savings of approximately $3 per month. This directly supports the goal of creating affordable and sustainable communities (SDG 11) by reducing the financial burden on residents.
2. Strategic Veto Power: As the largest municipality in Medina County, Brunswick holds veto power over the solid waste plan. City Council President Nick Hanek noted that the city would exercise this veto if flow control is included, compelling a revision of the plan. This highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships and negotiations (SDG 17) in achieving regional sustainability goals.
3. Planning Horizon: The draft plan is scheduled for submission to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency by February 2026, indicating a long-term strategic planning process for sustainable waste management in the region.

Investments in Sustainable Infrastructure and Community Growth

Enhancing Municipal Infrastructure for Resilience and Safety

The City Council approved several agreements and expenditures aimed at strengthening local infrastructure, directly contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11.

• Digital Infrastructure (SDG 9): A 60-month agreement with Charter Communications was approved to provide dark fiber services. This point-to-point fiber connection enhances the city’s digital infrastructure, making it more resilient and technologically advanced.
• Public Safety Infrastructure (SDG 11): An agreement with Bryx was authorized for the purchase of a new alerting system for the fire station. This investment improves emergency response capabilities, contributing to the creation of safe and resilient communities.
• Industrial Infrastructure (SDG 9): A change order was approved for the North Industrial Parkway project, furthering the development of infrastructure that supports local industry and economic growth.

Fostering Local Economy and Partnerships

Council actions also underscored a commitment to fostering a strong local economy and effective partnerships, aligning with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Recognizing Local Business: The Brunswick Good Neighbor Award was presented to Daniel Weber, owner of Excel Automation, recognizing his company’s positive contributions to customers, employees, and the city, thereby promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth (SDG 8).
2. Cooperative Purchasing (SDG 17): The city will enroll in the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s cooperative purchasing program, demonstrating a commitment to efficient, collaborative governance and resource management.
3. Sustainable Urban Development (SDG 11): A petition was forwarded to conform boundaries related to a property annexation, reflecting ongoing efforts in sustainable urban planning and land use management.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article’s central theme is the management of municipal solid waste in Brunswick, Ohio. It discusses the “Medina County Solid Waste Management District Plan” and the city’s strategy for handling its waste, which is a core component of making cities sustainable and reducing their environmental impact.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The article directly addresses waste management by distinguishing between “solid waste products” and “recyclables.” It also highlights the importance of recycling infrastructure by mentioning that a change in the county plan would “impact a lot of communities in the county that don’t have curbside recycling.” This relates to the goal of substantially reducing waste generation.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• The text discusses critical infrastructure for the city. This includes waste management infrastructure like the “Medina County Sanitary Transfer Station” and a “privately owned transfer station.” It also mentions modernizing communication and safety infrastructure through a “60-month agreement with Charter Communications… to provide dark fiber services” and purchasing an “alerting system at the new fire station.”

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article provides a clear example of local governance in action. It details the formal process of the “City Council approved a motion,” the plan for the “City Manager to file a waiver,” the existence of a “30-day public comment period,” and the city’s use of its “veto power.” These actions demonstrate the functioning of effective, accountable, and participatory institutions at the municipal level.

Specific Targets Identified

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
  
  Explanation: The entire debate over “flow control” and where to take “solid waste products” is a direct effort to manage the city’s municipal waste, which is the focus of this target.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
  
  Explanation: The plan’s distinction between general solid waste and “recyclables,” along with the mention of “curbside recycling,” shows a focus on separating waste streams to encourage recycling, a key part of this target.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
  
  Explanation: The discussion of waste transfer stations, dark fiber installation for city services, and a new fire station alerting system are all examples of developing local infrastructure. The goal of saving residents money (“$3 per month, per home”) directly addresses the “affordable access” aspect of this target.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
  
  Explanation: The process described, which includes a mandatory “30-day public comment period” for the new waste plan and the Brunswick City Council acting on behalf of its residents to seek cost savings, exemplifies responsive and participatory decision-making.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicators for Target 11.6 and 12.5

• Existence of a formal waste management strategy: The article explicitly mentions the “Medina County Solid Waste Management District Plan,” which serves as a primary policy instrument and indicator of a formal management approach.
• Availability of recycling services: The reference to communities that “don’t have curbside recycling” implies that the proportion of the population with access to such services is a key indicator of progress.

Indicators for Target 9.1

• Cost of services for households: The article provides a direct, quantifiable indicator of affordability with the potential savings of “approximately $3 per month, per home” on refuse bills.
• Investment in modern infrastructure: The approval of agreements for “dark fiber services” and a “new alerting system” are qualitative indicators of ongoing investment in upgrading the city’s infrastructure.

Indicators for Target 16.7

• Mechanisms for public participation: The article explicitly states that the plan will be followed by a “30-day public comment period,” which is a direct indicator of a participatory process.
• Local government responsiveness: The City Council’s formal action to “file a waiver” in response to potential cost burdens on its citizens is a clear indicator of a responsive institution.

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to… municipal and other waste management.	Existence of a formal “Solid Waste Management District Plan.”
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through… recycling…	Availability of “curbside recycling” services for communities.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure	9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… with a focus on affordable… access for all.	Potential cost savings on refuse bills of “$3 per month, per home.” Investment in “dark fiber services” and a “new alerting system” for the fire station.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.	Provision for a “30-day public comment period.” City Council’s formal motion to “file a waiver” and use its “veto power.”

Source: cleveland.com