East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office – Mora, MN
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
March 11, 2019
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on March 11, 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 Matt Ludwig, 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, Gerrald Nohner of ECSWC, Gene Kramer of Arthur Township and Barbara Wilder, Recording Secretary.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Commissioner Oslund moved to approve the Agenda, second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 11, 2019
Commissioner Oslund moved to approve the Meeting Minutes February 11, 2019 second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CLAIMS
Director Troupe added: Metropolitan Council in the amount of $17,017.75. This is for quarterly leachate.
Commissioner McNally moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List, and Metropolitan Council, second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor of paying the Claims List ($183,403.77), the Paid Claims List ($183,044.93), the Additional Claims List ($33,359.00) and Metropolitan Council ($17,017.75) all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Commissioner McNally requested clarification on Ziegler Inc. on the claims list and the employee reports on the paid claims list.
Director Troupe responded that the Ziegler Inc. was for repairs to the original Hinckley loader and the employee reports are all new items and would be on the paid claims list on a regular basis.
FLARE AND BLOWERS
Mr. Bruce Rehwaldt reported that SMMPA should have the engine up and running tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12th. The blowers and flare will be shipped on April 6th and the concrete will be poured on April 15th.
Director Troupe reported that there was one odor complaint on Friday, March 8, 2019.
Commissioner McNally commented that according to last month’s minutes Bruce said the concrete pad would be poured already and the flare and blowers should have been shipped already.
Director Troupe stated that the concrete could not be poured because the frost is too deep in the ground.
Bruce commented the dates for shipment of the flare and blowers were dates that he was previously given.
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING COSTS
Director Troupe reported that in 2018, ECSWC paid $62,651 to recycle electronics and customers paid ECSWC $53,926. This means that $8,725 was subsidized by ECSWC. With prices going up 25%, this same amount of electronics would have cost ECSWC $24,387.00 if prices are left the same.
Director Troupe requested to change the cost of recycling monitors and small televisions from $10 to $20 and to change the price of large televisions to $40. This change could be made now or on July 1, 2019 when MSW prices change according to consumer price index.
Commissioner Peterson moved to increase the prices of monitors and small televisions from $10 to $20 and large televisions to $40 effective July 1, 2019, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Director Troupe noted that the prices on the Kanabec County Clean-up flyer are much higher than we charge.
Director Troupe reported that Goodwill has increased the prices of recycling mattresses. She will check with Evergreen Recycling to see if they will pick up but that may increase the price of recycling mattresses so she may be coming back to ask for the increase.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Commissioner Greene asked Gerrald Nohner about the Bomag.
Gerrald responded that it should be up and running today.
JANUARY 2019 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Director Troupe reported for the month ended January 31, 2019 ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $80,164.96. On a cash flow basis for the month of January there is a decrease in cash of $268,183.95. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $3,392,500.37.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $2,602,958.37. Tonnage for February was 6,729.70.
The funds are invested as follows:
The money market checking account at First Citizens National Bank earn .55%, the CDs earn 2.0%.
Commissioner Oslund moved to approve the January 2019 Financial Statement, second by Commissioner McNally, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
RESOLUTION 1-19 ACH TRANSFERS
Director Troupe reported that this Resolution will fulfill the Board’s responsibility for making automatic transfers from checking accounts paying for payroll items. East Central Solid Waste Commission no longer has payroll items paid through Isanti County so this is new to us and this is an audit requirement.
Commissioner McNally moved to pass resolution 1-19 ACH Transfers, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Trucks and DOT
Director Troupe reported that ECSWC would be doing pre-employment drug/alcohol testing and supervisor training so we can get our trucks and trailers on the road. The permit from MCES to haul leachate has been applied for. Motor vehicle service will not give us tabs until Director Troupe fills out a federal use tax form. State and local government are exempt from this.
Restriction on Metro Waste Disposal
Director Troupe reported that the MPCA is going to modify ECSWC’s permit. If we are contesting the change it will be a Major Mod with public notice. If we agree to the change it will be a minor mod without public notice. Either way, the permit gets changed; it’s just a matter of how much opportunity the Commission wants to contest the change. It is Director Troupes understanding that he letter is contesting the change.
A letter was not sent and the language will go in the permit as MPCA is suggesting.
All haulers have been told no metro waste.
Solid Waste Management Tax H.F. 1215
Director Troupe reported that a new bill was introduced that if passed will provide the counties additional SCORE grants. The Solid Waste Management Tax is collected when garbage is delivered to a landfill or by commercial haulers when they pick up from customers. The landfill does no get to keep any of these funds so any benefits realized from these funds will only be realized by the counties.
Office Carpet
Director Troupe reported that there was extensive damage done to the office carpet in January due to a water softener problem. The carpet is as old as this building. She received a quote for replacement of $3115.00. We will need 50% down to get the carpet ordered.
Commissioner Oslund moved to replace the carpet and to pay half down, second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Bruce reported that the MPCA has allowed some counties not to have to report metro waste.
APRIL MEETING DATE
The April Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 8, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at the Commission offices.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Ludwig moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Wilder, Recording Secretary