East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office – Mora, MN
APPROVED MINUTES
April 12, 2021
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on April 12 2021 at Kanabec County Basement Meeting Room, 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, Mille Lacs County Commissioner Phil Peterson and Pine County Commissioner Steve Hallan, Isanti County Commissioner Susan Morris served as alternate in Commissioner Oslund’s absence. Commissioner Morris arrived during Deer Carcass disposal discussion.
Advisory Member Present – Executive Director Janelle Troupe.
Others also present at the meeting included: Chris Berg, Mille Lacs Environmental Services, Tammie Denholm from ECSWC, Bruce Rehwaldt from Foth, Lisa Thibodeau from Chisago County Environmental Services, Martin Ziegler of Deutschland Meats in Lindstrom.
Chairman Greene called the meeting to order at 9 AM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Commissioner Hallan approved the Agenda, second by Commissioner Peterson. all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING MARCH 8, 2021
Commissioner McNally moved to approve the Meeting Minutes March 8, 2021 second by Commissioner Hallan, Commissioner McNally amended a motion on the Minutes from February Financial Statement should have had Commissioner Hallan as a second. Commissioner McNally, Commissioner Hallan approved Amendment, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
CLAIMS
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List, second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor of paying the Claims List 50 items ($131,420.56), the Paid Claims List 7 items ($147,284.53), Payroll 17 items ($142,229.76), the Additional Claims List 10 items ($41,421.16), all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
DEER CARCASSES – DISPOSAL OPTIONS
Director Troupe commented concerning options for disposal of deer carcasses: burning in a box that reaches required temperature with MPCA permission or continue with plan of delivering directly to the landfill in Mora and covering daily with dirt. Covered roll off containers could be placed at the transfer stations to be brought back to Mora one time per week.
Commissioner McNally stated that he took a health, welfare, and safety oath. Commissioner McNally researched and found three landfills that will accept deer carcasses in Minnesota: Maple Grove, Pine Bend, Inver Grove Heights. Waste Management will not even haul them.
Commissioner Hallan commented the infected deer was on a game farm but not in the wild. The property has sold twice which is a problem. Pine is also invested in this 5 County landfill and they are worried about what the next item Kanabec County will not take making a need for each county to have their own landfill.
Commissioner Morris commented that this needs to be based on science and facts. She suggested the need for legal advice from County Attorneys on if not accepting a material at the landfill has to be by unanimous vote. She suggested reaching out to AMC as well.
Lisa Thibodeau commented that the Commission was set up as a joint powers entity to manage solid waste. CWD is not here yet which was pointed out by the DNR. Banning deer carcasses right now is not the answer. An air burner will need to be permitted and the temperature may not even get rid of the prions. She suggested setting up a task force.
Commissioner Hallan commented that the promise was to have a decision by July 4th. Commissioner Peterson commented that we should get information from the University of Minnesota on CWD.
Director Troupe commented that she will contact landfills in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa to see if they will share their procedures for disposal. That information will be brought back to the next meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None at this time.
FEBRUARY 2021 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Director Troupe reported for the month ended February, 2021 ECSWC realized a net loss on an accrual basis of $43,037.76. On a cash flow basis, for the month of February, there is a decrease in cash of $64,174.26. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $3,844,653.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $3,622,027.
The funds in February 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 .04% and Unity Bank current interest rates are .25%. On April 6, $2 million was moved from First Citizen’s Bank to Unity Bank.
Commissioner McNally moved to approve the February 2021 Financial Statement, second by Commissioner Morris, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MILLE LACS COUNTY CON
Director Troupe reported that Elk River is requesting a letter giving them CON for Mille Lacs County. Director Troupe reported that the East Central Regional Solid Waste Plan goes through the year 2025. It is important to not give CON beyond the annual tonnage through those years. Only Mille Lacs County Board can enforce the Public Entities Law, stating that if waste is contracted by a City, it has to be designated for disposal as determined by the County.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
PFAS: Cambridge/Isanti Closed Landfill
The Cambridge/Isanti Landfill has been part of the closed landfill program with the MPCA. There is a report that out of 101 closed landfills, 96 had high levels of PFAS that was found during groundwater monitoring. Korf in Pine City was also on the list.
New Concrete Floor for Cambridge Transfer Station
There is a need for floor replacement that will make the Transfer Station inoperable. It may also be a good time to replace the scale at Cambridge. Commissioner Hallan moved to send out an RFP for floor replacement as well as a new scale getting price on cost difference between doing in the winter versus summer, second by Commissioner Peterson, Commissioner McNally opposed stating that he will not support doing concrete project in the winter. Motion carried (4-1).
MAY MEETING DATE
The May Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 8, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at ECSWC Office.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Morris moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:50, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Janelle Troupe, Executive Director