East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office, Mora, MN
APPROVED MINUTES
August 11, 2025
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on August 11, 2025, 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 Bill Berg, Kanabec County Commissioner Tom Roeschlein, Mille Lacs County Commissioner Dan Whitcomb, Pine County Commissioner Steve Hallan.
Advisory Members Present – Executive Director John Kellas, CFO Janelle Troupe
Others present at the meeting included: Cami Van Able, Foth, Lisa Thibideau, Chisago County, Tracy Emerson, ECSWC.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance
AGENDA APPROVAL
Additions to the agenda: Claims, Seacole for $1,418.94, Greyrose Custom Builders for $4,950.00 half down for walls and steel inside building.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the agenda with the additional claims second by Commissioner Berg, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING JULY 14, 2025
Commissioner Berg moved to approve the Meeting Minutes July 14, 2025, second by Commissioner Whitcomb, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CLAIMS
Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List, Hauler Rebate second by Commissioner Hallan all in favor of paying the Claims List 56 items ($584,203.99), the additional claims 10 items ($68,789.76), the Paid Claims List 9 items ($184,881.24), Payroll 13 items ($152,269.15), Q2 2025 Hauler Rebate ($117,692.48), all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
APRIL 2025 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
For the month ending June 30, 2025, the ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $280,496. On a cash flow basis for the month of June there is an increase in cash of $193,501. Unobligated cash, less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month were $6,096,281.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $5,843,944.
Commissioner Berg moved to approve June 30, 2025, Financial Statements second by Commissioner Whitcomb, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Public Comment
Ms. Thibideau of Chisago County stated there was a 5 county Solid Waste meeting at the end of July. CON letters are not due now; we need to start working on the 10-year solid waste plan. Propose to start compiling the information in the fall.
Executive Director’s Report:
Mora
Cell 7A has received approval from the MPCA and we are placing waste in the new cell. The initial waste placement is large enough now that we have most of our customers in the new cell. The “rain flap” is being installed by Mid-American Liner to minimize leachate and erosion on the South slope of the new cell.
The landfill was broken into on July 25th, and our ATV (side by side) was stolen along with some other miscellaneous hand tools. We contacted the Kanabec County Sheriff’s Office and informed them that we had a GPS chip on our ATV. (an apple air-tag). They were able to recover our property in less than an hour. The intruders also attempted to break into the Sheriff’s impound area; they were unsuccessful. We are researching camera systems for the scale house and main entrance area of the landfill.
The formal EIS/EAW process for the MPCA review continues with a public meeting slated for the fall of this year (tentatively October 15th). This will allow the public to review and ask questions of ECSWC or the MPCA on the future development of the facility.
Cambridge
Work continues on the Better Futures building (Janelle to update) Janelle stated we are getting the walls and steel placed on the inside, part of the grant includes training in the building, we could hold battery recycling training classes in the building when completed.
Paving repairs are complete at the site and striping is being added to help with traffic congestion.
Traffic lights have been ordered to further assist with traffic conflicts.
Tare weights are being utilized more frequently to reduce scale traffic to help as well.
I believe an additional scale should be considered to allow our trailers to be weighed without interrupting the in and outbound traffic from the public.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the Executive Director’s report, second by Commissioner Whitcomb, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
SEPTEMBER MEETING DATE
The September Meeting is scheduled for Monday September 8, 2025, at 9:00 am at the ECSWC main office in Mora.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Roeschlein moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 am second by Commissioner Whitcomb all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully Submitted,
Tracy Emerson, Recording Secretary