February 13, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes

The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on February 13, 2023 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 Alison Holland arrived at 9:45 AM, Alternate Kanabec County Commissioner Tom Roeschlein, Mille Lacs County Commissioner Phil Peterson and Pine County Commissioner Steve Hallan via telecommunication.

Advisory Member Present – Executive Director Janelle Troupe.

Others present at the meeting included:  Assistant Director John Kellas, ECSWC, Cami Van Abel, Foth, Lisa Thibodeau, Chisago County, Tracy Emerson, ECSWC.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

All present said the Pledge of Allegiance

AGENDA APPROVAL

Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the Agenda, second by Commissioner Holland, all if favor, motion carried (5-0).

MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING January 9, 2022

Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the Meeting Minutes January 9, 2022 second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).

CLAIMS

Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List, Hauler Rebate list, second by Commissioner Peterson all in favor of paying the Claims List 47 items ($125,815.65), the additional claims 9 items ($53,217.35), the Paid Claims List 10 items ($95,096.41), Payroll 12 items ($136,356.34), hauler rebate ($109,841.08), all in favor, motion carried (5-0)

OLD BUSINESS

None

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

DECEMBER 2022 FINANCIAL STATEMENT

For month ended December 31, 2022 the ECSWC realized a net loss on an accrual basis of $172,579.  On a cash flow basis for the month of December there is an increase in cash of $241,825.  Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $5,632,512

Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency and hot facility fund total $5,125,556.

Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the December 31, 2022 Financial Statements second by Commissioner Roeschlein all in favor, motion carried (5-0).

PFAS and Water Monitoring

REQUESTED ACTION:

Approval to Contract with Barr Engineering

The Landfill Coalition made up of the public and private landfills in Minnesota is planning to contract with Barr Engineering to provide the report for the PFAS sampling.  We would still use our lab to do the sampling but the information would be shared with Barr Engineering.

There have been many hours of meetings along with discussions with MPCA completed by some members of the Coalition and this is their recommendation.  I suggest that East Central Solid Waste Commission go along with the recommendation and contribute estimated $4-6K on this joint venture.

Director Troupe requests approval to join the Landfill Coalition and use Barr Engineering with the estimated cost of $4-6K.

Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the contract with Barr Engineering second by Commissioner Roeschlein, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Odor Complaint

There was an odor complaint on Saturday at 6:30 AM from down Old Hwy 23.  I know that odors travel further on cold, quiet days.  This odor complaint was reported to the MPCA as in all odor complaints.  Odor complaints will also be in the annual report from that year.

2023 Budget

The 2022 Annual Report to MPCA is showing a requirement for deposit to be more than budgeted.  I would like to change that deposit to $225,000 from $200,000.  The inflation factor is 7.616% so Closure and Post-closure costs are increased significantly.  We are significantly underfunded in this account but I’m hesitant to deposit to the Dedicated Trust Fund because we earn more interest in our other bank accounts.

Director Troupe requests approval to increase that deposit to $225,000 from $200,000.

Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the increase to $225,000, second by Commissioner Berg, all if favor, motion carried (5-0).

CPI adjustment for MSW rates is made annually on July 1.  This is a Board decision to make that adjustment.  That rate for 2022 is 6%.  Our current rate is $66.27: an increase would make that rate $70.24 per ton.  Contract Haulers do get a $14 per ton rebate on all MSW hauled to our facilities.

Director Troupe requests approval for the increase to $70.24 per ton on July 1, 2023.

Commissioner Berg moved to approve the increase to $70.24 per ton, second by Commissioner Peterson, all if favor, motion carried (5-0).

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

MARCH MEETING DATE

The February Meeting is scheduled for Monday March 13, 2023 at 9:00 am at the ECSWC main office in Mora.

ADJOURNMENT

Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn.  Commissioner Peterson moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 am second by Commissioner Roeschlein all in favor, motion carried (5-0).

Respectfully Submitted,

Tracy Emerson

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