East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office, Mora, MN
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
June 8, 2026
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on June 8, 2026, at East Central Solid Waste Commission Main Office, Mora, MN. Chairman Greene called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.
Members present at the meeting included: Chisago County Commissioner Richard Greene, Isanti County Commissioner Alan Duff, Kanabec County Commissioner Tom Roeschlein, Mille Lacs County Commissioner Dan Whitcomb, and Pine County Commissioner Steve Hallan
Advisory Member Present – Executive Director John Kellas.
Others present at the meeting included: Cami Van Able, Foth, Lisa Thibodeau, Chisago County, Tracy Emerson, ECSWC.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance
AGENDA APPROVAL
Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the agenda second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING May 11, 2026
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the Meeting Minutes May 11, 2026, second by Commissioner Whitcomb, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CLAIMS
Director Kellas stated the MPCA bill for $520,587.00 is for the EIS that started in 2025, this amount covers all landfill property currently owned, all future expansion cells.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List, second by Commissioner Whitcomb, all in favor of paying the Claims List 51 items ($1,131,506.45), the additional claims 11 items ($35,781.35), the Paid Claims 7 items ($41,222.79), Payroll 13 items ($158,964.03), all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
POLICY AND PROCEDURE HANDBOOK
Ms. Emerson stated the Discipline page in the handbook has been changed to a Progressive Discipline policy.
Commissioner Whitcomb suggested a more formal remediation for more serious issues in verbal warning.
Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the new Progressive Discipline policy with the change in the verbal warning, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
APRIL 2026 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
For month ending April 30, 2026, the ECSWC realized a net increase on an accrual basis of $241,694. On a cash flow basis for the month of April there is an increase in cash of $170,233. Unobligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month were $5,874,196.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $6,486,251.
Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve April 30, 2026, Financial Statements second by Commissioner Duff, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Mora
We have received our MPCA EIS (Phase 2) Income Contract for completing the EIS review for the remaining landfill cells in the current design through Cell 9. The income contract for the review is for $520,587.00 this will fund the completion of the review process. This amount includes a 10% contingency amount. Any monies that remain in the account will be refunded following the review process. The MPCA negotiates with the vendors and administers the funding throughout the review process. The EIS is required for our permit to be re-issued, and the review will cover the current footprint of all remaining cells currently designed.
We have finalized the gas collection expansion/upgrade design to be constructed with the final closure (cap) for 2026
The gas plant operators (SMMPA) turned off the methane flare on Friday afternoon (5/29) and did not notify us. The flare remained off for the weekend until our folks noticed it on Monday (6/1). We immediately restarted the flare and were required to submit a notice to the MPCA.
Commissioner Whitcomb asked if there is a way for better communication, so we know if the flare has been turned off, some sort of visual, to prevent this in the future.
We have added outside leachate hauling (Rose) to manage leachate storage pond levels.
Cambridge
We have received our new Transfer Station Permit. The new permit increases approved volumes to 90,000 Tons Per Year and includes the adjacent parcel of land (36.91 acres) for transfer related activities.
We have completed a project to upgrade the access road through the adjacent property for improved truck access to the alternative access point. There was also some regrading of truck parking next to the transfer station for improved access of our tractor trailers.
Multiple quotes have been received and reviewed for an additional scale for the facility.
Commissioner Duff moved to approve the Executive Director Report second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
The July Meeting is scheduled for Monday July 13, 2026, at 9:00 am at the ECSWC main office in Mora.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Whitcomb moved to adjourn the meeting second by Commissioner Roeschlein, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully Submitted,
Tracy Emerson, Recording Secretary