East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office, Mora, MN
APPROVED MINUTES
November 13, 2023
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on November 13, 2023 at East Central Solid Waste Commission Main Office, Mora, MN. Chairman Greene called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.
Members present at the meeting included: Chisago County Commissioner Richard Greene, Isanti County Commissioner Bill Berg, Kanabec County Commissioner Alison Holland, Mille Lacs County Commissioner Phil Peterson and Pine County Commissioner Steve Hallan.
Advisory Member Present – Executive Director Janelle Troupe.
Others present at the meeting included: Assistant Director John Kellas, ECSWC, Cami Van Able, Foth, Lisa Thibodeau, Chisago County, Gene Kramer, Arthur Township, Gerrald Nohner, ECSWC, Tracy Emerson, ECSWC.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance
AGENDA APPROVAL
Additions to the agenda:
Old Business – Lift
Claims to be paid before the next meeting:
Traut Companies – Well Drilling – $2957.00
WasteQuip – Roll Off Box
Blaine Brothers – LED Work lamp – $345.58
Ziegler – Repairs – 293.41
Foth – Permit Renewal – 33,335.85
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the agenda and additions to the agenda second by Commissioner Berg, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING October 9, 2023
Commissioner Berg moved to approve the Meeting Minutes October 9, 2023 second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CLAIMS
Commissioner Berg moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List, Hauler Rebates, second by Commissioner Hallan all in favor of paying the Claims List 57 items ($296,495.00), the additional claims 5 items ($4,651.36), the Paid Claims List 10 items ($29,582.48), Payroll 13 items ($133,192.73), Hauler Rebates ($136,458.80), all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
OLD BUSINESS
We need a lift in the building for equipment maintenance. We have received 2 quotes from Mohawk Lifts and Ideal Lifts. This is part of the building revamp.
Commissioner Hallan stated that we have already approved the building revamp in the budget therefore, this is already approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gene Kramer from Arthur Township stated he was following one of ECSWC trucks from Cambridge and it had garbage hanging out flapping around. Wants the loaders of the trailers to pay better attention to how they are loaded.
SEPTEMBER 2023 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
For month ended September 30, 2023 the ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $316,068. On a cash flow basis for the month of September there is an increase in cash of $438,350. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $1,866,108.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency and host facility fund total $9,599,087. Funds were added to Landfill Expansion Fund due to Engineer’s estimate.
Commissioner Berg moved to approve the September 30, 2023 Financial Statements second by Commissioner Holland, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Bids for Earthwork Activities
| Excavation Bid Results | |
| Company | Amount |
| Bel-Air Builders | $ 1,262,504.00 |
| MNL | $ 1,158,000.00 |
| JCF Builders | $ 1,095,786.40 |
| New Look Contracting | $ 1,058,897.00 |
| Gladen Construction | $ 999,952.00 |
| North Pine Aggregate | $ 951,063.00 |
| Kirchoff Contruction | $ 926,889.64 |
| Landwehr Construction | $ 797,561.60 |
| Integrity Grading | $ 786,950.40 |
| TNT Construction | $ 724,800.00 |
| Burski Excavating | $ 687,760.60 |
| J.R. Ferche Inc. | $ 684,449.80 |
| Frattalone Company | $ 645,508.20 |
| R.L. Larson | $ 597,993.60 |
| Enebak Construction | $ 541,393.00 |
| Northern Lines Contruction | $ 416,614.40 |
Assistant Director John Kellas reported that a bid was missed during the public reading of the bids.
Commissioner Hallan moved to accept the lowest responsible bid pending legal advice, second by Commissioner Holland, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
C&D LANDFILL
East Central Solid Waste Commission will be closing the Demolition landfill after the permitted area is filled, maybe in 2024.
Lisa Thibodeau, Chisago County Solid Waste Administrator has asked to be on the Agenda, please see her comments below.
Changes to Chisago County solid waste landscape
Chisago County would like to have a conversation with the ECSWC about pending changes in the county’s solid waste landscape, as the Commission is charged with providing the greatest public service benefit possible for the contiguous five counties in terms of planning, management and implementation of methods to deal with solid waste in east central MN.
Due to expected changes at the State level in C&D landfill permitting, in less than a year – unlined demolition landfills must either line or close. If they close, they will need an enhanced cover. If they choose to line, they can operate into the future.
There is a large privately owned C&D landfill located in Chisago County who these changes will impact, which will in turn impact the solid waste management system of the ECSWC.
Commissioner Hallan stated even without knowing what the changes will be, we do need to figure out what we are going to do.
Commissioner Hallan also asked Lisa Thibodeau to report next month what the plans are with the privately owned C&D landfill.
Director Troupe stated there will be a meeting at the Cambridge Transfer Station on November 16, 2023 at 11:00 am with Better Futures MN. This company was given a grant to have workers pull stuff of Demo that is reusable or saleable. If there is a profit, it is split 50/50. Commissioner Hallan will try and make it.
Phase 7A Overview
Cami from Foth stated the first cell (7A) permitting has been filed and waiting for State approval. When meeting with the State they stated there are plans that will change how leachate is handled which will changed how we are doing things now. The changes will be with water treatment.
2024 Budget
Review of 2024 Budget for approval at November Meeting.
The 2024 Budget is based on 110,000 tons MSW being delivered to ECSWC sites.
For wages, we have used a 3.0 percent cost of living with 3 percent steps for the 2024 Table.
The landfill expansion is estimated at $5 million. We will be purchasing a Walking Floor Trailer that was budgeted last year and a tanker that was approved by Board this year but not purchased yet. Our alternative cover sprayer should be replaced. The side-by-side needs to be replaced. We need to replace a truck used for hauling garbage and the truck used for hauling leachate.
2024 estimated Accrual Income is $8,594,200 and estimated Expenses $8,084,093, providing for an Accrual Net Income of $510,107. Cash Budget provides for an increase in Cash of 1,907,648 before deposits to Reserve Funds and Capital Expenditures.
Changes to original budget
- Add 2 Semi trucks, we will sell the 2 manual transmission trucks, buy 2 auto transmission trucks
- Side by Side will be brought back to the board for approval, one has not been decided on.
- Walking floor trailer, we only need 1
- Tanker trailer, we only need 1
- ConCover machine, price is now around 110,000
Budget will be approved at the December meeting when more accurate numbers are provided with the Capital Items.
DECEMBER MEETING DATE
The December Meeting is scheduled for Monday December 11, 2023 at 9:00 am at the ECSWC main office in Mora.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Holland moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 am second by Commissioner Hallan all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully Submitted,
Tracy Emerson, Recording Secretary