Commission’s Office – Mora, MN
APPROVED MINUTES
June, 14, 2021
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on June 14, 2021 at East Central Solid Waste Commission main office, Mora, MN. Chairman Greene called the meeting to order at 9:00am.
Members present at the meeting included: Chisago County Commissioner Richard Greene, Isanti County Commissioner Dave Oslund, Kanabec County Commissioner Dennis McNally, Mille Lacs County Commissioner Phil Peterson, and Pine County Commissioner Steve Hallan.
Advisory Member Present – Executive Director Janelle Troupe.
Others also present at the meeting included: Gene Kramer, Arthur Township, Dick Roesler, Arthur Township, Lisa Thibodeau, Chisago County Environmental Services, Cami Van Abel, Foth, Tracy Emerson from ECSWC.
Chairman Greene called the meeting to order at 9 AM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance
AGENDA APPROVAL
Commissioner Oslund approved the Agenda, second by Commissioner McNally. All in favor, motion carried (5-0)
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING May 10, 2021
Commissioner Oslund moved to approve the Meeting Minutes May 10, 2021 second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
CLAIMS
Commissioner Oslund moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor of paying the Claims List 50 items ($180,390.14), the Paid Claims List 6 items ($16,583.78), Payroll 13 items ($105,656.17), the Additional Claims List 12 items ($11,784.19), Commissioner McNally questioned the MSW tax, if all customers pay this tax, Executive Director Troupe responded that everyone pays the MSW tax except the contract haulers, they pay directly to the state, all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
CONCRETE FLOOR AT CAMBRIDGE TRANSFER STATION
Executive Director Troupe commented due to increase in costs the scale is not going to be replaced at this time. We received 3 bids for replacing the concrete floor, lowest bid was KC Gustafson out of Stanchfield, MN, at $71,200. Commissioner Oslund stated he is reputable. Bald Eagle came in second with his bid but noting he wants to lay 12” of concrete instead of 10” at $94,570. Executive Director suggested using KC Gustafson since he has stated he can complete the job in 7 days. Commissioner Hallan asked why Bald Eagle used 12” instead of 10”. It was stated he did the floor in Hinckley and thought with the placement of the rebar, it would need 12”. Commissioner McNally stated he does not see a mixture of cement on any of the bids, Executive Director Troupe stated everyone received the state guidelines on what the mixture needs to be, and that the testing needs to be done before completing the task. Commissioner Hallan motion to award project to KC Gustafson, Commissioner Oslund second, as long as he can meet the specifications, if not, go with Bald Eagle, all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
APRIL 2021 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Director Troupe reported for the month ended April, 2021 ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $220,702.30. On a cash flow basis, for the month of April, there is an increase in cash of $172,089.17. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $3,967,948.65.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $3,950,151.42.
The funds in April are invested as follows:
The money market checking account at First Citizens National Bank earns .10%, the CDs earn 2.25%. The Magic Fund rate is .03% and Unity Bank current interest rate is .25%
The CDs come due this summer and will most likely be put into Unity Bank.
Commissioner Oslund moved to approve the April 2021 Financial Statement, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
KEN OLSON GRAVEL PIT – CAMBRIDGE
Commissioner Oslund was approached by Ken Olson with regards to mining the land we have purchased from Mr. Olson. Our contract allows him to continue his recycling business, but does not include the mining. He asked if we would allow him to haul out his normal business (20 loads) and give him a finder’s fee for the rest. Mr. Olson was approached for mining the property for the sand and gravel for road repair. Commissioner Oslund and Mr. Olson’s attorney both told Mr. Olson he cannot do more than what the contract states that he has with us.
Commissioner Hallan asked if we are ever going to need the sand/dirt ourselves? Make sure we don’t rush this decision, Pine County sells sand/dirt anywhere between $1.50/cubic yard to $3.00/cubic yard. Let’s make sure we are going in the right direction, make sure we are settled up and his attorney knows.
Commissioner McNally – Lets get the going rate for sand, give Ken his regular yearly loads and we get the rest. No finder’s fee. What about the Conditional Use Permit in Isanti County?
Commissioner Peterson – Maybe we should pay a finder’s fee to Mr. Olson, he is a recycler not a miner, maybe he would not have sold us the property if he knew this was coming up.
Executive Director Troupe – Do we get anything out of the deal? Can we have a road built up so we can create a recycling center for the area? Do we need a Certificate of Insurance from the contractor? I would think that we as the owners of the land would want one to have on the property if anything were to happen.
Chairman Greene stated the motion be tabled until Commissioner Oslund can get more information, if need be, we will call an emergency meeting for a decision. We would like to negotiate something reasonable.
TRANSFER STATION HOURS
Director Troupe stated Roll-off drivers from Hinckley are requesting we be open early for them to unload. We are already open at 7 AM Mondays to accommodate the weekend resort haulers. Others have requested the rest of the week to be open early as well.
Item was tabled until further information is obtained.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
My understanding was that these deer were being tested – have not heard that any were found positive for CWD. I have looked at the DNR site testing that has been done in East Central area and there are no positives listed.
DNR Temporarily Bans Movement of Farmed Deer in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued an emergency rule temporarily prohibiting the movement of all farmed white-tailed deer within the state, with the exception of deer being transported to slaughter. The rule takes effect Tuesday, June 1, and ends Saturday, July 31.
Commissioner McNally stated he has done a lot of research on this topic. Board of Animal Health is the one responsible for the deer farms, not the DNR. If a deer from a farm escapes out of the fence, and is out for 24 + hours, the deer are supposed to be tagged so the DNR can shoot them. There are 174 deer farms in Minnesota. 4 in Kanabec County. Also asked if what we take in the landfill is going to be restricted to our 5 counties only, and if so, he is ok with taking them in the landfill. Executive Director Troupe responded that the deer carcasses are MSW and we can only take MSW from our 5 counties.
Commissioner Peterson asked what the purpose of the farms is? Big game hunters for the big antlers and for the urine.
Closed Saturday, July 3
ECSWC will be open Monday July 5. – Executive Director Troupe wanted to remind everyone that this is the observation of the holiday so there will be overtime paid on this pay period.
JULY MEETING DATE
The July Meeting is scheduled for Monday July 12, 2021 at 9:00 am at the ECSWC main Office.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Hallan moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:15, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy Emerson