East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office – Mora, MN
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
October 8, 2018
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on October 8, 2018 at the Commission Office, Mora, MN. Chairman Greene called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Members present at the meeting included: Chisago County Commissioner Richard Greene, Kanabec County Commissioner Dennis McNally, Pine County Commissioner Stephen Hallan, Isanti County Commissioner Dave Oslund and Mille Lacs County Commissioner Phil Peterson.
Advisory member present – Executive Director Janelle Troupe.
Others also present at the meeting included: Bruce Rehwaldt of Foth Companies, Gerrald Nohner of ECSWC, VJ Polkus of Ziegler Inc., and Barbara Wilder, Recording Secretary.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Director Troupe added: Write off Accounts to Financial Statement, Employee Tire Repair and Olson Property. Also one bill to the Claims list for Brett Johnson.
Commissioner Oslund moved to approve amended the Agenda, second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING SEPTEMBER 10, 2018
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the Meeting Minutes September 10, 2018 second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CLAIMS
Director Troupe added: Brett Johnson in the amount of $119.12 to the Claims List.
Commissioner McNally moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List and Brett Johnson, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor of paying the Claims List ($203,825.36) the Paid Claims List ($121,844.09), the Additional Claims List ($39,207.31) and Brett Johnson ($119.12), all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
PUBLIC COMMENT
None at this time.
JULY FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Director Troupe reported for the month ended August 31, 2018 ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $151,934.50. On a cash flow basis for the month of August there is a decrease in cash of $49,330.78. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $3,612,260. Hauler rebates and payment for trailer were paid in August.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $2,502,684.80.
The funds are invested as follows:
The money market checking account at First Citizens National Bank earn .55%, the CDs earn 2.0%. Tonnage has increased 424 tons from 2017 or .56%.
Commissioner McNally requested clarification on how long the CD’s were locked n for.
Director Troupe responded that the CD’s were locked in for 3 years. There are two years left because they were locked in last June and July.
Director Troupe added bad check write offs for 2014, 2015 and 2016 in the amount of $626.50.
Commissioner McNally moved to approve the August 2018 Financial Statement and write off $626.50 for bad checks, second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
2019 BUDGET
Director Troupe reported that since the last Board Meeting the Hinckley loader has required significant repairs. We have had it for 10 years and it was slightly used when purchased. It is currently at East Central Diesel being repaired. She requested quotes from CAT on rebuilding and new.
Mr. VJ Polkus handed out specifications from CAT/Ziegler and gave information for a new loader that is comparable to the loader in Cambridge. The wait time for a new loader would be about 16 weeks, for a rebuilt one would be about 12 weeks. He also explained the repairs that were done to the compactor for the landfill.
After the Hinckley loader is repaired an appraisal will be done on it as well as the old CAT to see if they can be sold and if the Bomag could be repaired as well.
Director Troupe reviewed the 2019 Budget and reported that a new trailer will need to be purchased since the one that was in the accident was totaled. She received a quote from Wilkens in the amount of $75,236 plus tax and is not available until February and from MAC $85,000 plus tax.
Commissioner Hallan moved to purchase a new trailer from Wilkens in the amount of $75,236 plus tax, with a down payment of 20%, second by Commissioner McNally for discussion, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Commissioner McNally asked about the contract with Patnode and the deductible. Is the trailer covered or just the tractor.
Director Troupe responded that the insurance company will go after Patnode for the trailer plus the person that caused the accident.
Director Troupe reported that she did not want to finalize the budget today. The Audit should be completed by next meeting and she would like to bring back the 2019 Budget next month for final approval.
Health Insurance Renewal Rates
Director Troupe reported that the health insurance renewal rates were received showing a slight increase. Dental rates increased single $4.11, family $8.91; health insurance single increased $14.58, family $38.60. Currently our family health package without dental is $1,509.187 so it will go to $1,547.77 with ECSWC contribution being $1,234.65. She suggested that family health be increased to $1,273.25 and single to $861.57.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the increase for family health to $1,273.25 and single to $861.57, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (4-1), opposed by Commissioner McNally.
Great River Energy
Director Troupe reported that Great River Energy in Elk River closing on January 1.
Mr. Bruce Rehwaldt from Foth provided information on why they are trying to get out of business, trying to negotiate with the public and working with others that may be interested in taking over operations.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Trucking Accident
Director Troupe reported that a lady ran the stop sign at the Braham entrance to Highway 65. She ran into the tire of Patnode’s truck driving towards Mora. Rick Keller, Patnode driver, did a good job bringing the truck to a stop but it tipped into the ditch with a full load of garbage. Employee Brett Johnson was following in ECSWC truck with a load of garbage. The truck and trailer were towed to Leaf’s Towing in Braham. The insurance company was contacted and did an appraisal. East Central staff picked up garbage out of the ditch and water.
Asphalt Repairs Mora
Director Troupe reported that Knife River has not completed the paving yet and is not sure when it will be completed.
2017 Audit
Director Troupe reported that the Office of the State Auditor has almost completed the 2017 audit. The audit report can be seen on OSA site. Commissioners will get a copy sent to them.
Employee Tire Repairs
Director Troupe reported that she would like to give employees some reimbursement on tire repairs that were caused by driving around the landfill.
Commissioner Hallan requested that Director Troupe looking into the legal part of reimbursing employees.
Director Troupe will check into and bring back to next meeting.
Personal Trailer
Director Troupe reported that it was offered to her that a personal trailer be brought in to use during the time Knife River is doing the asphalt repairs because the other gate would have to be used.
The Board responded no, that would not be ok because it would be a liability.
Olson Property
Commissioner Oslund reported that Mr. Olson and his accountant and attorney are figuring out when it would be a good time to complete a purchase agreement.
Commissioner Oslund will bring the purchase agreement to Director Troupe and Commissioner Greene to be signed when he has it.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Commissioner Greene asked Bruce Rehwaldt how gas production and the new flare were doing.
Bruce responded that the gas production was at 400 CFM this morning but would like it to be closer to 600. He was hoping to have a schedule on the delivery of the flare but it wasn’t given to him yet. He is meeting with Myron Belford after the meeting to talk about power for the blowers.
NOVEMBER MEETING DATE
The November Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 12, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. at the Commission offices.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Peterson moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:33 a.m., second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Wilder, Recording Secretary