February 12, 2018 Minutes

East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office – Mora, MN
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
February 12, 2018

The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on February 12, 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 Dennis McNally, Pine County Commissioner Matt Ludwig, 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, Gene Kramer of Arthur Township, Gerrald Nohner of ECSWC, Terry White of Pine County, V.J. Polkus and Mike Leathers of Ziegler Inc, Lisa Thibodeau of Chisago County and Barbara Wilder, Recording Secretary.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

All present said the Pledge of Allegiance.

AGENDA APPROVAL

Director Troupe added: Hinckley Land Sale and Ziegler under New Business.

Commissioner McNally added: Odors under Old Business.

Commissioner McNally moved to approve the amended Agenda, second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).

MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING JANUARY 8, 2018

Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the Meeting Minutes January 8, 2018 second by Commissioner McNally all in favor, motion carried (4-0).

Commissioner McNally reported that in the future discussing security should be during a closed meeting.

CLAIMS

Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, Hauler Rebate and the Additional Claims, second by Commissioner McNally, all in favor of paying the Claims List ($167,603.20), Paid Claims List ($60,575.86), Hauler Rebate ($187,343.84) and the Additional Claims List ($80,034.89), all in favor, motion carried (4-0).

Chairman Greene asked if the GPS was up and running on the packer.

Director Troupe responded that yes, it was.

Commissioner McNally requested clarification on stormwater training versus wastewater training.

Director Troupe responded that stormwater is water that runs off of a site from rainwater and wastewater training has to do with the ponds and leachate. Bart from the Cambridge Transfer Station and Lynn from the Hinckley Transfer Station would attend stormwater training. Gerrald Nohner from the landfill would attend the wastewater training.

OLD BUSINESS

Commissioner McNally reported that on February 6th and 8th he could smell odors coming from the landfill.

Gerrald Nohner responded that the generator had been shut down on Tuesday the 6th and when they tried to restart it, it wouldn’t start. It should be started today, Monday, February 12th.

Director Troupe responded that she had talked to members of SMMPA last month and was urged by SMMPA to wait until June or July to purchase a flare. This is when SMMPA will have to overhaul the engine and if they decide not to stay, they will not need their blowers. A new flare will need new blowers.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Gene Kramer reported that there was a list out by the State of Minnesota this month on the Federal air quality requirements. One is on the emission guidelines and compliance times for MSW Landfills and the other is on standards of performance relative to air quality. He asked if anyone had any input on this.

Commissioner Peterson asked what this meant to ECSWC. Mr. Bruce Rehwaldt responded that there should be no difference in anything that is done now; it is getting aligned with the Federal regulations.

HINCKLEY LAND SALE

Mr. Terry White of Pine County is requesting permission from the Board to purchase 25 acres of property that ECSWC owns at the Hinckley Transfer Station.

Commissioner Peterson moved to approve looking into selling the 25 acres, second by Commissioner McNally, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).

Commissioner Ludwig will be in contact with Commissioner Hallan regarding this.

ZIEGLER

Mr. V.J. Polkus and Mr. Mike Leathers from Ziegler presented information on long-term maintenance packages and extended warranties on the Caterpillar. When it was purchased, it came with a 36 month/5,000 hour power train and hydraulic coverage.

Director Troupe requested clarification on how long it should be running to warm it up.

V.J. Polkus responded that it should be 20-30 minutes in the winter, 10-15 in the summer and that it has an automatic shut off after 5 minutes.

After much discussion, it was decided to table any decision on extended maintenance agreements until the March 12, 2018 meeting.

Commissioner McNally moved to table the Ziegler warranty and maintenance packages until the March 12, 2018 meeting, second by Commissioner Peterson, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).

DECEMBER FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Director Troupe reported for the month ended December 31, 2017 ECSWC realized a net loss on an accrual basis of $47,223.54. On a cash flow basis for December there is an increase in cash of $189,262.40. Year to date net income on an accrual basis is $1,300,752.43. On a cash flow basis, year-to-date cash has increased $439,980.81. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $4,090,135.77.

Director Troupe reported that because the compactor was received in December of last year that we had to take a half a years depreciation on it which was very substantial.

Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $2,336,378.

The funds are invested as follows:

The money market checking account at First Citizens National Bank earns .35%, the CDs earn 1.53%.

Commissioner Peterson requested clarification about the landfill expansion fund; where do the funds come from?

Director Troupe responded that it was in the budget and that the next expansion is not for another 5 years. She will look into and see if setting aside more funds is needed if a maintenance package and/or extended warranties are purchased from Ziegler.

Commissioner McNally questioned the Financial Assurance amount.

Director Troupe responded that it is $5,058,173.09.

Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the December 2017 Financial Statement, second by Commissioner Ludwig, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).

PAY EQUITY REPORT

Director Troupe reported that the Pay Equity Report needs formal approval from the Board and once this is done she will post it at the public library.

Commissioner Ludwig moved to approve the Pay Equity Report, second by Commissioner McNally, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT

Director Troupe reported that the Mora scale was completed Thursday, February 8, 2018.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None at this time.

MARCH MEETING DATE

The March Meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 12, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. at the Commission offices.

ADJOURNMENT

Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Peterson moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:02 a.m., second by Commissioner Ludwig, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Wilder, Recording Secretary

Posted in News.