East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office, Mora, MN
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
March 10, 2025
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on March 10, 2025, 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 Tom Roeschlein arrived at 9:15 am, Mille Lacs County Commissioner Dan Whitcomb arrived at 9:25 am, 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, Tracy Emerson, ECSWC.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance
AGENDA APPROVAL
Addition to the agenda Change order #5 for Belair Builders.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the agenda with the addition second by Commissioner Berg, all in favor, motion carried (3-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING February 10,2025
Commissioner Berg moved to approve the Meeting Minutes February 10, 2025, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (3-0).
CLAIMS
Commissioner Hallan 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 ($188,362.76), the additional claims 11 items ($46,572.65), the Paid Claims List 6 items ($21,353.10), Payroll 13 items ($152,395.72), all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Assistant Director Kellas gave an update on the EV yard dog grant. The grant would be for 45% of one yard dog. New EV yard dogs cost $366,000, 45% of that is $164,610, our share is around $201,000. A brand-new diesel yard dog is $145,000.
Commissioner Hallan asked if there is anyone rebuilds yard dogs. Assistant Director Kellas stated he would investigate that.
Assistant Director Kellas stated the gas plant is being rebuilt and the plan is to have it running around the 17th of this month.
Assistant Director Kellas stated the Bomag has been repaired after the fire, our dealer is working with Bomag to get some of the cost paid for by warranty.
JANUARY 2025 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
For the month ending January 31, 2025, the ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $84,970. On a cash flow basis for the month of January there is a decrease in cash of $80,035. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $4,551,194.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency and host facility fund total $6,788,119.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the January 31, 2025, Financial Statements second by Commissioner Berg, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CPI MSW Rate Increase
Every year prior to July 1 the Board considers the previous year’s Consumer Price Index to determine required increases in MSW Prices.
This year the CPI Table is showing a 3.0 increase. The new MSW rate will be increased from $72.50 to $74.68 per ton. The suggested increase for Asbestos is from $80 per ton to $95.00 per ton because we have not increased in recent years; ECSWC price 15 years ago was $150 per ton. All Asbestos loads are brought to Mora landfill properly wrapped and require special handling upon arrival.
Tire disposal costs have increased with various added costs tagged on like dirt and rims. We feel costs are still within the amount we charge but will continue to monitor closely. I fear that ECSWC raising the price of tires may increase dumping. We charge $4 for disposal of a car.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the CPI MSW rate increase, second by Commissioner Whitcomb, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MPCA Grant Sustainable Building Bid Award
We have 18 Contractors that have requested the RFP for the pole building in Cambridge. The bids are due on March 7 at 1:00 PM and will be read aloud at the Public Meeting. We will list these bids on the ECSWC website.
Request for the ECSWC Board to Award Bid to recommended contractor at the ECSWC Meeting.
Commissioner Roeschlein moved to award Latchem as the approved bid, second by Commissioner Whitcomb, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Audit
We are still working on the 2024 Audit. With new Government Acceptable Accounting Rules (GAAP), auditors are looking at more items. We have had three accountants requesting items from us for four weeks. We can anticipate that the exit interview will be at the April Board meeting.
Purchase Request
We had an employee hurt himself pouring the paint into the ADC machine. We found a barrel handler attachment for $9,033 that will assist doing this daily task. We have had complaints from staff about the difficulty pouring the barrels in the past. This is not a budgeted item, and I will need to pay for it to get it sent. I request permission to purchase and to pay for the Skid steer barrel handler attachment tool.
Commissioner Berg moved to approve the Barrel Handler attachment up to $9,000, second by Commissioner Roeschlein, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Change order #5
Ms. VanAble from Foth stated this change order in the amount of $8,285.75 is associated with change order #4. It was rejected before but Belair has provided documentation they are owed this additional money.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve change order #5, second by Commissioner Whitcomb, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Commissioner Hallan was at a conference, and they talked about incineration, is there any talk about landfills moving to this?
Ms. VanAble stated No it is a very costly process.
APRIL MEETING DATE
The April Meeting is scheduled for Monday April 14, 2025, at 9:00 am at the ECSWC main office in Mora.
CLOSED MEETING – Executive Director Position Review
Minutes from Director Troupe
Commissioner Whitcomb moved to enter into closed session, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
Commissioner Berg motioned to return to open meeting, second by Commissioner Whitcomb, all in favor, motion carried (5-0)
Commissioner Whitcomb moved to do a study of restructuring of the management of ECSWC. All if favor (4-0).
A special meeting will be held on March 31, 2025, at 9am with all Commissioners present.
Commissioner Berg moved to adjourn at 11:43am, Commissioner Roeschlein seconded, all in favor (4-0)
Respectfully Submitted,
Tracy Emerson, Recording Secretary