East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office, Mora, MN
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
December 2, 2024
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on December 2, 2024, 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 via Teams, 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: Cami Van Able, Foth, Lisa Thibodeau, Chisago County, John Kellas, ECSWC, Tracy Emerson, ECSWC.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance
AGENDA APPROVAL
Commissioner Holland moved to approve the agenda second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING November 11, 2024
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the Meeting Minutes November 11, 2024, second by Commissioner Holland, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CLAIMS
Commissioner Berg moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, Additional Claims, with the additions to be shown on the paid claims at the next meeting second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor of paying the Claims List 48 items ($327,556.63), the Paid Claims List 8 items ($35,182.35), Payroll 13 items ($150,399.23), all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
OLD BUSINESS
Accrued Sick Time
The current Personnel Policy reads, “Employees, upon termination, that have accumulated 100 days (800 hours) of sick time will be compensated at his/her regular rate of pay” Dated 3/8/2004. This policy provides no payment of accrued sick leave if the employee has 799 hours of accrued sick leave.
The request is to provide payment to employees with less than 800 hours of accrued sick leave upon termination of employment.
The Employer will contribute the funds to a Health Care Savings Plan (HCSP) upon leaving employment. HCSP will not be subject to FICA, PERA, or Federal Income Taxes.
Sick leave will be paid into HCSP according to the following schedule upon leaving employment:
| Service Years | Percentage Received |
| 3 | 50 |
| 6 | 75 |
| 10 | 100 |
Employees with 800 hours earned sick leave prior to December 2024 may opt out of the HCSP and get paid funds directly. Employees with total payment less that $1,000, will get paid directly. There are other rules that allow for opting out such as lifetime health insurance policy through a former employee, spouses employer or tribe, service-connected disability priority group 1,2,3, foreign national, TRICARE retiree benefits.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the change in Accrued Sick Time second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
OCTOBER 2024 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
For the month ended October 2024, the ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $152,417. On a cash flow basis for the month of October there is a decrease in cash of $198,361. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $2,603,094.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency and host facility fund total $9,747,520.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the October 2024 Financial Statements second by Commissioner Holland, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Isanti – Chisago Landfill Commission
We need approval of Resolution 24-3: Request to purchase property of Cambridge Transfer Station, prior to the transfer of property from ICLC to ECSWC.
ICLC Board will transfer at the meeting on December 11, 2024 if everything goes as planned, then vote to dissolve the ICLC.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the Resolution 24:3 second by Commissioner Holland, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Landfill Development
John Kellas will provide an update on Phase 7A landfill progress.
Working 7 days a week, the liner got put in, trying to get piping and thermocouples to monitor freezing.
After meeting with everyone, the decision was made to pause for winter and finish in the spring. The State agreed if we can get the liner insulated, we won’t need to redo the liner.
Commissioner Berg asked if this shortens the life of the liner?
Assistant Director Kellas stated we are trying to make a cover for it.
Director Troupe stated that yes, we are at risk of losing the liner.
Commissioner Holland asked about cost of a new liner.
Assistant Director Kellas stated there is a meeting scheduled to discuss this; the contract had a deadline for everything to be completed.
Top priority is to get insulation on the liner.
Director Transition
Director Troupe stated John Kellas and her had briefly discussed the tasks that he will be required to carry out in the upcoming year. John will be taking over the DOT requirements, Safety Meeting requirements, MCIT Claims, Transfer Station Inspections, and Stormwater Quarterly and Hinckley Annual Report. John will work with an engineer on the landfill closure project in 2025, including all RFP requirements.
Janelle will be out of the office the end of January for vacation, and beginning Phased Retirement (50%) in April.
Commissioner Peterson asked, what if something happens to John when your gone?
Director Troupe responded, Gerrald takes over landfill crew, Tracy takes over with scale houses.
NEXT MEETING DATE
The Next Meeting is scheduled for Monday January 13, 2025, at 9:00 am at the ECSWC main office in Mora.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Peterson moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 am second by Commissioner Holland all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully Submitted,
Tracy Emerson, Recording Secretary