East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office – Mora, MN
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
August 12, 2019
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on August 12, 2019 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 Steve 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, Lisa Thibodeau of Chisago County, Gene Kramer of Arthur Township, Stu Johnson and Gerrald Nohner of ECSWC, and Barbara Wilder, Recording Secretary.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Director Troupe added: Approval of 2 documents for the Financial Statement and MPCA Encroachment.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the amended Agenda, second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING JULY 8, 2019
Commissioner McNally would like to see the number of claims listed on the claims list.
Commissioner McNally moved to approve the amended Meeting Minutes July 8, 2019 second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CLAIMS
Commissioner McNally moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List and the Hauler Rebate, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor of paying the Claims List ($161,813.73), the Paid Claims List ($85,730.52), the Additional Claims List ($85,452.52), and the Hauler Rebate ($132,640.90), all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Commissioner McNally requested clarification on the Federated Co-ops and Federated Propane Claims. Why are there so many?
Director Troupe responded that they get paid when they deliver.
Commissioner McNally requested clarification on Director Troupe’s claim and the high amount. Director Troupe informed the Board that she had bought items from Northern Tool for the Cambridge Transfer Station. We don’t have a company credit card because the last time we had a company credit card she was required to use her own social security number to get it. Commissioner Hallan stated that Pine County has a policy that no one can use their own money to make purchase and he can’t believe that we can’t get a company credit card without a social security number. Director Troupe will check into a company credit card and bring back to next meeting.
Commissioner McNally asked for a number of claims be on each claims list so it can also be placed on the Minutes.
FLARE AND BLOWERS
Gerrald Nohner reported that all the piping is set and ready to start on August 20, 2019. Belford Electric is just waiting for a thermo coupler wire.
Bruce Rehwaldt reported that they had to raise the blower.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Director Troupe reported that an Organizational Chart along with Job Descriptions was previously sent out. She is requesting a change for Gerrald Nohner from Landfill Leadman to Landfill Operations Supervisor at a Step 1.
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve Gerrald Nohner to Landfill Operations Supervisor Step 1, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CAMBRIDGE MAINTENANCE BUILDING AND SCALE
Director Troupe reported that the Board had requested additional information prior to approving a contractor for the pole building in Cambridge. Four quotes were received for a new maintenance building.
Stu Johnson presented information on the quotes from Gruver Pole Buildings, Structural Pole Building, Latcham Lind Lumber and Second Generation Builders as well as information on spray foam insulation. Sherman Builders submitted a late quote on Friday the 9th and it was higher than Latcham Lind.
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve Latcham Lind Lumber in the amount of $81,785.56 for a new pole building, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
The spray foam insulation will be investigated.
SCALE
Director Troupe reported that two quotes were received from Fairbanks and Kennedy for an above ground scale in Cambridge.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve Fairbanks in the amount of $74,585.00 for a new above ground scale in Cambridge, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
PUBLIC COMMENT
None at this time.
JUNE 2019 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Director Troupe reported for the month ended June 30, 2019 ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $212,243.00. On a cash flow basis for the month of June there is an increase in cash of $9,150.04. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $2,774,881.04.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $3,383,909.46.
The funds are invested as follows:
The money market checking account at First Citizens National Bank earn .55%, the CDs earn 2.0%. The new CDs are 2.25%.
Tonnage has increased 8,239.18 tons year-to-date over 2018 or 15%.
Commissioner McNally moved to approve the June 2019 Financial Statement, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Director Troupe reported that there was one odor complaint this past month. The Engine was down so the flare was being used. It does not control the gas adequately.
Landfill Permit SW-17
Director Troupe reported that the draft permit that includes the ROD language is ready to be issued. The language is the restriction on metro waste. The haulers have already been told that we do not accept metro waste and that loads from the metro will be rejected in the future. A sign will be put up stating “No Metro Waste”. This will require us to submit a quarterly report to the MPCA regardless if we took in metro waste or not.
FEMA money
Director Troupe reported that FEMA approved approximately $140,000 for ECSWC from the flooding in 2018.
Two Documents to be signed
Director Troupe reported that she needs two documents to be signed. The first one is for a wire transfer of money to the MAGIC Fund because they do not accept checks.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve Director Troupe to wire transfer $100,000 to the MAGIC Fund, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
The second document that Director Troupe needs signed is for approval to transfer money from First Citizens Bank to Unity Bank in Rush City who is FDIC insured and the current interest rates are 2.25% – 2.75%.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve Director Troupe to transfer money from First Citizens bank to Unity Bank in Rush City, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MPCA Encroachment
Director Troupe reported that the MPCA owns the land behind the Cambridge Transfer Station that is a closed landfill. Part of that land has been over excavated on the north side. Commissioner Oslund talked to Kenny Olson and asked him not to excavate that any longer.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Bruce Rehwaldt responded that it would be a good idea to set up electronic transfers because checks will not be accepted much longer.
Commissioner Peterson asked about the trucking of garbage by Patnode.
Director Troupe responded that they are at times they are quitting early and garbage piles up at the Cambridge Transfer Station.
Director Troupe will send a letter to Joel Patnode regarding this issue.
Commissioner McNally reported that he spoke with the Kanabec County Engineer and it is ok for Patnode to use alternate routes when traffic is congested.
SEPTEMBER MEETING DATE
The September Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at the Commission offices.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Hallan moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:13 a.m., second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Wilder, Recording Secretary