East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office, Mora, MN
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
December 15, 2025
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on December 15, 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, 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 Thibodeau, Chisago County, Ryan Carda, Kanabec County, Tracy Emerson, ECSWC, Aaron Gustafson, Pine County via Teams.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance
AGENDA APPROVAL
Additions to the agenda: Survey tool for landfill needs updating, $20,925.78
Commissioner Berb moved to approve the agenda with the addition second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING November 10, 2025
Commissioner Berg moved to approve the Meeting Minutes November 10, 2025, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
CLAIMS
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List, second by Commissioner Berg all in favor of paying the Claims List 59 items ($341,023.95), the Paid Claims List 12 items ($34,343.44), Payroll 13 items ($156,789.46), Additional Claims 7 items ($7,220.36), all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Solid Waste Officers, Lisa Thibodeau and Ryan Carda stated the meetings with the MPCA have gone well regarding the Solid Waste Plan. We need a new updated plan by 2029, which needs to be submitted by October of 2028. They asked the Commission to make their County Boards aware there might be a cost to this.
SEPTEMBER 2025 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
For the month ending October 31, 2025, the ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $431,025. On a cash flow basis for the month of October there is an increase in cash of $256,790. Unobligated cash, less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month were $5,451,029.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $6,520,256.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve October 2025, Financial Statements second by Commissioner Roeschlein, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
NEW ITEMS
Executive Director Kellas is requesting approval for 2 separate purchases and 1 repair/upgrade.
EHS Momentum has created a software management platform so that we can load all of our safety and permit compliance as well as DOT Driver requirements. This allows for electronic record keeping, continuity of operations, accountability and increased compliance. The fee for this service is $599.00 monthly ($7,188 annually).
Commissioners requested, since the budget is already approved, to find some available money and come back to the board.
Salt and Sand Spreader – I have received quotes from several vendors for a 2.5-3-yard salt and sand spreader for the bed of our flat bed truck that was recently acquired. The truck (F550) with a plow would carry the salt/sand spreader. We currently shake sand out of the bucket of our wheel loader and skid steer. This method provides somewhat uneven coverage. The grad of the road down to Cell 7A does require a lot of attention to keep the commercial trucks traveling up and down the ramp. The spreader is a poly main body spreader for longer life without corrosion. The cost for this item is $8,500.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the purchase of the salt and sand spreader second by Commissioner Berg, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
Survey Tool is out of date and needs repair/upgrade at the cost of $20,925.78. This tool is used to map out the landfill, record asbestos locations, pipelines, etc. We are required by the State to have the asbestos locations and need the repair/upgrade to be able to do this. With the current state of this tool, we cannot open any of the current files.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the repair on the survey tool second by Commissioner Roeschlein, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
Executive Director’s Report:
Mora
Our new scale software and credit card system is still on track to start January 2, 2026, for all three of our facilities.
Gas system repairs are ongoing; we are replacing leachate recovery pumps that are located within the gas wells, these keep the leachate pumped down to allow more efficient gas collection.
The demolition waste area is closed for the winter months.
A chain-link litter fence is being installed around the perimeter of Cell 7A to contain blowing litter. We will be utilizing this cell for the foreseeable future, so this improvement should reduce litter collection expenses and aid in keeping us in compliance with the MPCA guidance.
Leachate Ponds are at very low levels for the winter months, outside trucking will be reduced significantly.
We have started submitting limited information for the CLA Audit prior to year end.
Cambridge
The Better Futures Building is complete, and we have received an occupancy permit for the building. Janelle to update future activities. – Janelle stated the Open house is Thursday December 18 at 1:00pm.
We were able to perform several partial roadside clean ups prior to snowfall.
Hinckley
The concrete floor is scheduled for a minor repair along the pit floor edge. This repair is needed to keep the floor safe until we can replace the entire tip floor in the spring.
Public Comment
Ms. Troupe stated in the Personnel Policy with the Sick and Safe Time policy, to follow the state, the section that states for the Health Savings Card, people who are already at 800 hours will be grandfathered in, needs to be removed to be in compliance.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the removal of the grandfathered in clause second by Commissioner Roeschlein, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
Ms. Van Able brought forward the Belair Closing project. First there are two change orders that need to be approved. One for $2,344.00 for having to redo the plumbing, this was an engineering error, and FOTH will credit East Central Solid Waste Commission for this amount. Second, $5,729.53 for extra relay.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the change orders for Belair for $8,073.53 second by Commissioner Berg, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
Ms. Van Able asked about the final close-out check. After everything is said and done with the Reduction, Retainage, and liquidated damages, the final number should be $152,778.99.
The Board stated to get the close out signed, then we will cut the check.
JANUARY MEETING DATE
The January Meeting is scheduled for Monday January 12, 2026, at 9:00 am at the ECSWC main office in Mora.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene adjourned the meeting at 10:30am.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tracy Emerson, Recording Secretary