East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office, Mora, MN
APPROVED MINUTES
January 8, 2024
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on January 8, 2024, at East Central Solid Waste Commission Main Office, Mora, MN. Executive Director Troupe called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.
Members present at the meeting included: Chisago County Commissioner Richard Greene, Isanti County Commissioner Bill Berg, Kanabec County Commissioner Alison Holland, Mille Lacs County Commissioner Phil Peterson, and Pine County Commissioner Steve Hallan.
Advisory Member Present – Executive Director Janelle Troupe.
Others present at the meeting included: Assistant Director John Kellas, ECSWC, Cami Van Able, Foth, Bruce Rehwaldt, Foth, Dennis McNally, Ogilvie, Tracy Emerson, ECSWC.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance
ORGANIZTION OF THE BOARD – ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN/VICE CHAIRMAN/TREASURER
Director Troupe called for nominations for the Chairman position.
Commissioner Peterson nominated Commissioner Greene to the Chairman position, all in favor of Commissioner Greene to the Chairman position, nomination approved.
Chairman Greene called for nominations for Vice Chairman
Commissioner Holland nominated Commissioner Hallan for the Vice Chairman position, all in favor of Commissioner Hallan for the Vice Chairman, nomination approved.
Chairman Greene called for nominations for Treasurer.
Commissioner Holland nominated Commissioner Peterson for the Treasurer position, all in favor of Commissioner Peterson for the Treasurer, nomination approved.
Chairman Greene called for Confirmation of Official Newspaper – Kanabec Times. Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the Kanabec Times as the Official newspaper, second by Commissioner Holland, all if favor, motion carried (5-0).
Chairman Greene called for Confirmation of Meeting dates, 2nd Monday of each month and Confirmation of Official Depository of funds – First Citizens National Bank. Commissioner Holland moved to approve the meeting dates and Official Depository of funds, second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
AGENDA APPROVAL
Commissioner Berg moved to approve the agenda second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING December 11, 2023
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the Meeting Minutes December 11, 2023, second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CLAIMS
Additions to Claims: (these items will be on the paid claims list for the next meeting, they came in after the claims were completed.)
- Glen’s Tire – $2,594.34
- Pomp’s Tire – $2,306.03
- LHB Surveyor – $3,300.00
- M&G Trailer – $8,625.66
Commissioner Hallan asked if we have a lock to prevent stealing of the trailer in the future? Director Troupe stated we can purchase a lock from M&G Trailer for $190.00.
Commissioner Holland moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List, second by Commissioner Berg all in favor of paying the Claims List 57 items ($400,289.64), the additional claims 8 items ($125,902.24), the Paid Claims List 9 items ($74,706.69), Payroll 14 items ($137,172.80), and the 4 additions to claims ($16,826.03) all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
OLD BUSINESS
Purchasing Policy
There was discussion last month about making changes to the Purchasing Policy. Currently all items are brought back to the Board even if they are in the Budget. Pine County has a purchasing policy that allows for Capital Purchases if they are in the Budget without additional Board approval. The other Member Counties have a Policy much like ECSWC existing policy requiring Board approval.
Please provide direction as to changes required to ECSWC Policy. A suggested example is included.
Commissioner Berg moved to approve the Purchasing Policy limits second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Contract for Legal Services
The Board has indicated that they wish to have Contracts reviewed by an Attorney. Pine County Attorney has offered this service to East Central Solid Waste Commission.
MCIT has been used to review Contracts in the past and the Better Futures Agreement has been passed on to them for review. East Central Solid Waste hired Fryberger Law Firm for their opinion on various legal issues these last years and the Waste Delivery Agreements originated from their firm. Fryberger provided the Commission with many legal services from 1999 to 2008.
Pine County Attorney has agreed to review our contracts, but no clarification has been made on which contracts, and if they need to review all contracts.
Commissioner Hallan suggested Director Troupe meet with the Pine County Attorney and discuss what the rate would be, and which contracts should be reviewed.
Commissioner Berg moved to approve the meeting with the Pine County Attorney, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dennis McNally, as a Kanabec County resident, complimented on how clean the area around County Road 23 has been, and he has not smelled any odors from the landfill.
NOVEMBER 2023 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
For month ended November 30, 2023, the ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $204,991.04. On a cash flow basis for the month of November there is an increase in cash of $122,319.82. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $3,051,831.43.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency and host facility fund total $9,541,730.46.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the November 30, 2023, Financial Statements second by Commissioner Berg, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Odor Complaint
We had one odor complaint from a neighbor on December 28.
Waste Collector Agreement – Pine County
This Agreement was reviewed by the Pine County Attorney and the word “Hauler” was replaced with “Collector”.
Grant Opportunity
I did not apply for the grant that was discussed last month because of lack of direction of needs and other time commitments. There is another grant opportunity coming up that I feel does better fit our needs.
FEBRUARY MEETING DATE
The February Meeting is scheduled for Monday February 12, 2024, at 9:00 am at the ECSWC main office in Mora.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Holland moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 am second by Commissioner Berg all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully Submitted,
Tracy Emerson, Recording Secretary