East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office – Mora, MN
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
June 11, 2018
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on June 11, 2018 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 Kim Smith, Pine County Commissioner Stephen Hallan, 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, Dick Roesler of Arthur Township, Gerrald Nohner of ECSWC, 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).
PUBLIC HEARING
Commissioner Greene presented the Public Hearing on the Pine County land sale. No one from the public was present to speak.
Director Troupe stated the purpose of the land sale in accordance to State Statues section 469.065. We are holding a hearing to decide if the Commission wishes to sell land belonging to East Central Solid Waste Commission at Hinckley Transfer Station.
The reason for the sale is because it would be better suited to be attached to the small homestead next to the property.
This would be a cash sale. There may be costs for a survey requirement and filing of the documents.
The estimated value from the Pine County assessor is $28,125.00, which is based on comparable sales.
Director Troupe requested a motion from the Board as to the reason for the Commission selling the land.
Commissioner Hallan responded that it has been determined that the land is excess next to the Commission and we see no need to continue to own that property therefore the adjacent land owner sees a value to adding it to his property. Most of the property is non-build able and of non-use to us.
Commissioner Hallan moved to proceed with the Pine County land sale, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING MAY 14, 2018
Commissioner Hallan requested that Caleb Anderson be added to the others present.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the amended Meeting Minutes May 14, 2018 second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CLAIMS
Director Troupe reported that the McGriff Services claim is to fix the door on the tip floor building. This is only partial. They did the structural part. The door still needed to be put in. The $11,530.16 will be reimbursed to the Commission by Patnode Trucking insurance.
Hasser Door came in Friday, June 8 and put the new door in. A bill has not been received yet.
Director Troupe requested permission to pay the Hasser Door bill when it comes in. The amount is not known yet but it will be reimbursed by insurance as well. There is also a bill from Boyer Ford in the amount of $494.55 that she is requesting to pay.
Commissioner Smith moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the additional Claims List, Hasser Door and Boyer Ford, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor of paying the Claims List ($218,234.76), the Paid Claims List ($39,920.87), the Additional Claims List ($31,006.35), Hasser Door (amount unknown) and Boyer Ford ($494.55), all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
OLD BUSINESS
Landfill Gas to Electricity
Director Troupe reported that there have been problems producing enough landfill gas to run SMMPA’s engine. This past month the pumps have run continuously for dewatering the wells. The solar pump has not been used but there is an employee assigned to get it working again. Gas is being pulled lightly from the gas blanket on top of the landfill. There is a new gas blanket being installed. If gas is pulled too hard from the gas blanket, oxygen will be pulled. The hope is to have a new flare installed because the old one does not work properly.
Approximately 30,000 gallons of water is being recirculated each week but there has not been any increased gas production.
Installation of two new gas wells is planned for June 18,2018 so that should help.
Mr. Bruce Rehwaldt reported that he is working with the mechanical engineer at SMMPA. The information was given to the flare manufacturer. Bruce and the flare manufacturer are in communication with each other about the particulars of connecting up from the blower system to go to the engine. The current PSI is 5-1/2 and it needs to be brought down to 15-20” of water.
Bruce is expecting back everything from the flare manufacturer tomorrow. There will probably be a slight increase of cost due to the current steel issue. There should be confirmation tomorrow on what the delivery will be on the new flare, which will probably be about two months.
Commissioner Hallan requested clarification on the recirculation. Bruce responded that it is going to take a while to make a difference and that nothing is instantaneous.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Dick Roesler requested clarification on Metropolitan Council and the $50.00 bank fee.
Director Troupe responded that it is for the leachate that is hauled out of the landfill and the $50.00 is for First Citizens Bank to process the ACH deposits for employees.
Commissioner Hallan suggested that Director Troupe call Sturgeon Lake about accepting our leachate.
APRIL FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Director Troupe reported for the month ended April 30, 2018 ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $25,341.48. On a cash flow basis for April there is an increase in cash of $93,616.16. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $3,096,463.08.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $2,567,353.70.
The funds are invested as follows:
The money market checking account at First Citizens National Bank earn .55%, the CDs earn 1.53%. Tonnage has decreased 1,792 tons from 2017.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the April 2018 Financial Statement, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MATTRESS PRICING
Director Troupe reported that the cost of recycling mattresses has increased from $11 to $12.00. Evergreen is the recycler for mattresses brought into Hinckley and Cambridge along with SRC and Recycling for Wildlife. Evergreen gets paid to recycle. SRC and RFW get charged.
Good will is used for mattresses brought to Mora. Those mattresses are hauled by Patnode Trucking. The last load to Duluth had a cost of $12.03 per mattress pus all the labor costs of loading the trailer.
Director Troupe requested approval to change the price to $12 starting immediately.
Commissioner Smith moved to approve the price increase for mattresses to $12.00 starting immediately, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
2017 Audit
Director Troupe reported that the Office of the State Auditor has send a letter detailing the terms of engagement of audit. The Board will need to approve the Chairman and Executive Director to sign the letter.
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve Chairman Greene and Director Troupe to sign the letter from the Office of the State Auditor, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
2019 Hauler Contracts
Director Troupe reported that she would like to send the Hauler Contracts out for signature by August. She is requesting the Board to decide the term of the Contract, either 3 or 5 years.
Commissioner Oslund moved to approve sending out the Hauler Contracts with the term of 5 years, second by Commissioner Smith, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Commissioner Greene requested clarification on how Patnode Trucking is doing with Isanti County.
Director Troupe responded that they are short on drivers and short on a truck.
Director Troupe reported that she received an offer to purchase the property in Pine County. The offer was $25,000.
Director Troupe will check to see if land can be purchased for less than the assessed price.
Commissioner Greene reported that the Rush City demolition landfill has applied for an amendment to their CUP. This will be the last expansion that they can do.
JULY MEETING DATE
The July Meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 9, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. at the Commission offices.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Hallan moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:47 a.m., second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Wilder, Recording Secretary