East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office, Mora, MN
APPROVED MINUTES
July 13, 2026
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on July 13, 2026, 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 via Teams, Kanabec County Commissioner Tom Roeschlein, Mille Lacs County Commissioner Dan Whitcomb, and Pine County Commissioner Steve Hallan via Teams at 9:20 am.
Advisory Member Present – Executive Director John Kellas.
Others present at the meeting included: Cami Van Able, Foth, Gerrald Nohner, ECSWC, Tracy Emerson, ECSWC.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance
AGENDA APPROVAL
Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the agenda second by Commissioner Roeschlein, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING June 8, 2026
Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve the Meeting Minutes June 8, 2026, second by Commissioner Roeschlein, all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
CLAIMS
Commissioner Whitcomb 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 62 items ($435,414.21), the additional claims 9 items ($15,124.12), the Paid Claims 9 items ($185,322.37), Payroll 13 items ($159,516.82), all in favor, motion carried (4-0).
MAY 2026 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
For month ending May 31, 2026, the ECSWC realized a net increase on an accrual basis of $577,649. On a cash flow basis for the month of May there is an increase in cash of $278,167. Unobligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month were $6,204,941.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $6,433,673.
Commissioner Whitcomb moved to approve May 31, 2026, Financial Statements second by Commissioner Roeschlein, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Mora
We have received the gas system and final closure bids for our current closure project.
Burski Excavating – $1,905,316.10
Park Construction – $2,851,511.41
We have kicked off our formal EIS process and the timeline for review has started. The timeline runs through May of 2027. Rockleaf Water is the engineering firm that has been selected by the MPCA for this review process, Rockleaf Water performed Phase 1 (Scoping) portion of the EIS process. It is important that this process remains on schedule for our future Cell 7B construction and permit reissuance.
An overall site discussion with MPCA is scheduled for July 8. They would like to discuss the EIS process, CON, permitting, etc. on that call. I will report the results of the call. The importance of the CON was discussed during the call. We will need to send out the CON letters to all the counties and have them fill these out like they did last time.
Commissioner Roeschlein asked if Director Kellas would go to all the county meetings and explain what is expected and what is needed for the CON. Director Kellas stated that he would go.
Commissioner Berg asked if it would be August or September meeting, Director Kellas stated he would let everyone know when it would be for sure.
Soil screening project continues with excellent materials being developed. The gravel piles are being incorporated into our current closure project. The gravel will be used in future construction projects or sold at some point.
Cambridge
We awarded our new scale construction contract and applied for a building permit from Isanti County. It appears that the scale and parts and the permitting are in the 3-to-4-week timeframe.
We have started having our internal tractor trailers to exit from the site through the new access road. The drivers believe this is an improvement for highway access. The scale house has reported it is a noticeable improvement in traffic flow.
Commissioner Berg asked if there were any comments on the new road. Mr. Nohner stated he is also a driver when needed, and using the new road is a lot better for sight when trying to enter the highway.
Hinckley
We are currently collecting quotes to replace the transfer station concrete floor and apron.
Commissioner Berg moved to approve the low bid from Burski Excavating for the gas system and closure project second by Commissioner Roeschlein subject to details, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Public Comment
Mr. Nohner stated he needs some sort of cover over the flare control boxes. Rainwater keeps flooding the electrical or it’s getting too wet somehow.
The August Meeting is scheduled for Monday August 10, 2026, 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 second by Commissioner Roeschlein, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully Submitted,
Tracy Emerson, Recording Secretary