East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office, Mora, MN
APPROVED MINUTES
September 8, 2025
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on September 8, 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 arrived at 9:30 am, 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, Steve Stringfellow (fencing guy) for $8,600 and Barr Engineering for $1,000.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the agenda with the additional claims second by Commissioner Whitcomb, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING AUGUST 11, 2025
Commissioner Berg moved to approve the Meeting Minutes August 11, 2025, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
CLAIMS
Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List, Hauler Rebate second by Commissioner Berg all in favor of paying the Claims List 55 items ($285,168.23), the Paid Claims List 13 items ($142,568.41), Payroll 13 items ($148,200.55), all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
JULY 2025 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
For the month ending July 31, 2025, the ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $364,132. On a cash flow basis for the month of July there is a decrease in cash of $474,878. Unobligated cash, less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month were $5,516,815.86.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $5,516,816.
Commissioner Berg moved to approve July 31, 2025, Financial Statements second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
Executive Director’s Report:
Mora
Cell 7A rain flap has been installed. While landfilling on inspecting the new cell we found liquid under the new 7A synthetic liner. It was determined that the liquid was leachate from previously constructed Cell’s 6A/6B at the liner tie in point. We notified the MPCA and Chairman Greene. The MPCA Engineer Dan Aamodt, after a detailed description of the issue, requested that we work on locating the issue and keep him abreast of our findings. We have since excavated the area where we believed the problem originated (Cell 7A/6A/6B), a liner crew is scheduled to be on site this week making the repairs to this area of the cell’s coming together. Foth will be on site documenting these repairs to assemble a small report for the MPCA’s records as well as our annual report.
We have received our fiber optic internet in our scale house that will support our landfill software upgrade and credit card system, as well as our new security camera system.
The formal EIS/EAW process for the MPCA review continues with a public meeting slated for the fall of this year (tentatively October 29th). This will allow the public to review and ask questions of ECSWC or the MPCA on the future development of the facility.
A fuel truck has been located by our fuel supplier; I would like approval for up to $10,000 for the purchase of the fuel truck. It will work more efficiently than having to move the fuel tank around the landfill.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the purchase of a fuel truck up to $10,000 second by Commissioner Berg, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
We need a new flat bed service truck, we received the insurance money from the old one being totaled, I would like approval to use the insurance money to purchase a new flatbed service vehicle.
Commissioner Berg moved to approve use of insurance money for landfill vehicle second by Commissioner Whitcomb, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
Cambridge
Work continues on the Better Futures building (Janelle to update) Janelle stated the tinning and framing on the inside, heating and electrician all there this week, ECE went out early for us, Lakes Gas will be putting in the propane tank soon, Concrete around the building, apron from the building and then class 5 will be put down around that. Commissioner Whitcomb asked if the thought of ice falling off the roof? Janelle stated she would have them look at that this week.
Traffic lights and striping have been installed to further assist with traffic conflicts.
Tare weights are being utilized more frequently to reduce scale traffic to help as well.
Fencing the property is at approximately 85%-90% complete.
Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the Executive Director’s report, second by Commissioner Berg, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. VanAble stated there are change orders for Belair to approve. $26,549 to make the road larger and $6,299 for check valve for a total of $32,848.
Commissioner Hallan stated we need the substantial completion date to be upheld.
Commissioner Berg suggested sending a letter to Belair for the penalties.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the $32,848 change order and issue letter for completion date second by Commissioner Whitcomb, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Commissioner Roeschlein asked if when ECSWC switched to hauling the garbage ourselves from the transfer stations, if there was an issue with the company that was hauling?
Ms. Troupe stated they weren’t hauling on our schedule, so the garbage was not getting to the landfill when it should have been.
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 Whitcomb moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 am second by Commissioner Hallan all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully Submitted,
Tracy Emerson, Recording Secretar