East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office – Mora, MN
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
March 8, 2021
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on March 8 2021 at Kanabec County Sheriff’s Meeting Room, 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, Isanti County Commissioner Dave Oslund, 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: Tammie Denholm from ECSWC, Bruce Rehwaldt from Foth, Lisa Thibodeau from Chisago County Environmental Services ,Gene Kramer of Arthur Township, Marty Ziegler of Deutschland Meats in Lindstrom.
Those arriving at 9:30 included: Heidi Kroening and David Benke with MPCA, Brent Thomson with Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. Those present on Zoom were: Michele Carstensen with the DNR; Representative Nathan Nelson (11B), Pine County Commissioner Matthew Ludwig.
Chairman Greene called the meeting to order at 9 AM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Commissioner Oslund approved the Agenda, second by Commissioner Hallan. all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 8, 2021
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the Meeting Minutes February 8, 2021 second by Commissioner Oslund, Commissioner McNally amended to add word county to page 3, first paragraph, “county lines.” Commissioner Peterson, Commissioner Oslund approved Amendment, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CLAIMS
Commissioner McNally 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 42 items ($151,053.77), the Paid Claims List 9 items ($13,585.35), Payroll 12 items ($100,417.86), the Additional Claims List 3 items ($961.40), all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
PUBLIC COMMENT
None at this time.
JANUARY 2021 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Director Troupe reported for the month ended January 31, 2021 ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $96,217.96. On a cash flow basis, for the month of January, there is an increase in cash of $278,352. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $3,843,945.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $3,719,909.
The funds in January are invested as follows:
The money market checking account at First Citizens National Bank earns .10%, the CDs earn 2.25%. The Magic Fund rate is .03% and Unity Bank current interest rates are .25%.
Commissioner McNally moved to approve the January 2021 Financial Statement, second by Commissioner McNally, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Landfill Responsibility Act Recommendation:
The Governor recommends approval of $670,000 in FY 2022 and $1.170 million each year afterwards from the Special Revenue Fund to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) Resource Management and Assistance Division to carry out the duties of the Landfill Responsibility Act (LRA). The expenditure would be offset by an annual assessment on Mixed Municipal Solid Waste (MMSW) landfills to cover MPCA’s expenses to administer and staff the program.
Rationale/Background:
Landfills currently have no formal incentives to reduce the amount of waste they receive and slow their growth in size, despite the clear societal and environmental benefits. In 2019, there were 20 active MMSW landfills, collecting about 2.1 million tons of waste. Waste prevention and reusing materials are priorities in Minnesota’s efforts to combat climate change.
Director Troupe commented that some of the landfill operators are asking for support to just say no to this “Landfill Responsibility Act.” Lisa Thibodeau commented that the Solid Waste Association is not in favor of this Act.
Commissioner Hallan, second by Commissioner Oslund to support the Solid Waste Administrators Asscociation (SWAA) on this topic of Landfill Responsibility Act, all in favor, motion carried. (5-0)
Saturday Staffing
Director Troupe explained the difficulty in finding staff to work scalehouse on Saturday mornings.
The Board gave consensus to hire high schoolers 16 and older and to make Saturday pay-rates up to $20 per hour.
Commission facilities will all be closed on Saturday July 3,2021 to celebrate July 4th holiday.
DEER CARCASSES
This Agenda item of the meeting was provided in-person and on Zoom.
Michele Carstensen from the DNR, provided us with a power point presentation. Topics included: Overview of CWD, spread in Minnesota and what has and is being done, CWD in Pine County at a wild game farm, ideas for solid waste management of carcasses: approved incineration, landfill, waste to energy. David Benke from the MPCA stated that the deer carcasses should not be put back on the landscape.
Heidi Kroening stated that she asked about burying on public land in the other counties. Each county would have to have an approved solid waste permit with a lined landfill.
Commissioner McNally stated that deer can’t be brought across state lines, they should not be allowed to cross county lines.
This item will remain on the Agenda for next month’s meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None at this time.
APRIL MEETING DATE
The April Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 12, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at Kanabec Courthouse Basement Meeting Rooms.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Oslund moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:30, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Janelle Troupe, Executive Director