East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office, Mora MN
APPROVED MINUTES
August 8, 2022
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on August 8, 2022 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: Cami Van Abel from Foth, Gene Kramer from Arthur Township, Tracy Emerson from ECSWC, Gerrald Nohner from ECSWC, John Kellas from ECSWC, Dick Roesler from Arthur Township.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance
AGENDA APPROVAL
Additions to the Executive Director Report, car allowance for John Kellas. Commissioner McNally, construction debris at transfer stations.
Commissioner McNally moved to approved the Agenda and the additions, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING July 11, 2022
Commissioner Oslund moved to approve the Meeting Minutes June 13, 2022 second by Commissioner Peterson all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
CLAIMS
Commissioner McNally commented the payment for last months Host Fee was not corrected on the claims list. Director Troupe stated we will mention in the minutes what the total amount was.
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 47 items ($187,021.60), the additional claims 5 items ($38,455.01), the Paid Claims List 14 items ($161,608.41), Payroll 18 items ($168,549.85), Quarter 2 hauler rebates ($126,796.18), all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
JUNE 2022 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Director Troupe reported for the month ended June 30, 2022 ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $108, 093. On a cash flow basis, for the month of June, there is a decrease in cash of $868,214 after payment of the Bomag Compactor. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $3,418,066.30.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, closure fund, landfill equipment fund, and host facility fund total $6,174,632.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the June 2022 Financial Statement, second by Commissioner McNally all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
Climate Air Proposal for Flare
Director Troupe reported our existing flare has not worked properly since installation. The control panel along with the vendor has been very unreliable so we would like to replace the existing controls. Climate Air has provided us with 2 options. Climate Air is also suggesting we purchase 2 new 10HP Yaskawa drives. Option 1, is fix what we have now without implementing remote start, Option 2 includes being able to start the flare remotely with a smart phone or computer.
Climate Air tried to install the thermal couples that was sent to us by the vendor. I guess they were the wrong ones so we are still waiting for that installation.
Commissioner McNally commented that we paid for a working system and that someone else should be paying for the system to be fixed since it has not worked correctly since installation. He would also like a letter sent to the BBB in Michigan for Landfill Gas Technologies, stating how they are not a reputable company. Commissioner McNally would also like a guarantee for parts from Climate Air.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve Option 2 with the cost of $18,185.00 plus the 2 new 10HP drives at a cost of $2,408.76, and a hold on final payment until we are sure everything is working properly, second by Commissioner Peterson, Commissioner McNally opposed, motion carried (4-1)
Commissioner McNally motioned to send a letter of complaint to the Michigan BBB, motion failed.
Cambridge Transfer Station Floor
Award contract for replacement of Cambridge Transfer Station Tipping Floor concrete.
The Board approved replacement of Cambridge Transfer Station tipping floor prior to the Cambridge fire of 2021. We have a scale being installed in August and hoped to get a quote from that concrete company doing that job but they were booked. We are expecting quotes back from the two low bidders from last year on Friday, August 5. The company that is awarded the Contract will have to follow all requirements.
Replacing floor will require closure of tipping floor at Cambridge.
Director Troupe requested the board the allow John Kellas to speak with both companies, and let us decide which company to use.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve getting clarification and make a decision on availability, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
PFAS Sampling
East Central Solid Waste will be required to do PFAS sampling in 2023. PFAS is a forever chemical used for water and grease resistance. It is found in many products such as stain resistant coatings, cleaning products, microwave popcorn bags, and pizza boxes.
There will be an MPCA Teams Meeting on September 13 to discuss our landfill. I will be requesting a Foth staff to attend during this meeting. We want to limit the required monitoring – they have us down for 12 wells and at least three times in 2023. We can expect monitoring to cost of $6,000 per time so $18,000 in laboratory fees plus Foth assistance. We also know that landfills are not the cause and it is unfortunate that we are bearing the costs.
Commissioner Peterson commented that if they are requiring the testing, then why are we having to pay for it, all that is going to do is cause the tipping fees to go up and make the consumer pay for it instead of the state.
Car Allowance
Director Troupe stated that John Kellas would like a car allowance for a vehicle to drive around the landfill. The board asked what kind of vehicle.
Assistant Director Kellas stated he would like a newer ¾ or 1 ton truck to be able to drive around the landfill and haul equipment around if necessary.
Commissioner Hallan commented to call Pine County Fleet manager, we buy all ¾ ton trucks.
Commissioner Oslund stated there is one in Cambridge that has been there a while, he will stop and check it out.
The board suggested to get an idea of what it will cost, and will make a decision on the next meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dick Roesler asked if we are getting interest on our restricted assets and if so, why are we losing money and can they move it around?
Director Troupe stated that yes, we are, and we cannot move anything around because it has to be approved by the PCA for the investment.
Commissioner McNally commented that in the next contract for the haulers, we should add a surcharge for bringing construction and demo to the transfer stations.
Cami Van Abel stated we need to make sure with the Flare that we are getting 20 HP with the blowers. Cami also stated regarding PFAS, more landfills are not taking burned buildings due to the use of fire foam and that has PFAS in it.
SEPTEMBER MEETING DATE
The September Meeting is scheduled for Monday September 12, 2022 at 9:00 am at the Courthouse in Mora.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Oslund moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 AM, second by Commissioner McNally, all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy Emerson