East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office – Mora, MN
APPROVED MINUTES
May 10, 2021
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on May 10 2021 at East Central Solid Waste Commission main 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, Mille Lacs County Commissioner Phil Peterson, Pine County Commissioner Steve Hallan, and Isanti County Commissioner Dave Oslund.
Advisory Member Present – Executive Director Janelle Troupe.
Others also present at the meeting included: Gene Kramer, Arthur Township, Tracy Emerson from ECSWC, Bruce Rehwaldt from Foth, Lisa Thibodeau from Chisago County Environmental Services, John Teichroew, Arthur Township.
Present through Zoom, Denise Martin, Chisago County News and Heidi Kroening, PCA
Chairman Greene called the meeting to order at 9 AM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Commissioner Hallan approved the Agenda, second by Commissioner Peterson. all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING April 12, 2021
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the Meeting Minutes April 12, 2021 second by Commissioner Peterson, Director Troupe made correction on the minutes, the date for May said May 8, not May 10, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CLAIMS
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor of paying the Claims List 50 items ($131,420.56), the Paid Claims List 7 items ($147,284.53), Payroll 17 items ($142,229.76), the Additional Claims List 10 items ($41,421.16), Commissioner McNally had questions about #26 Metropolitan Council, #40 Royal Tire, #35 Owens Auto Parts, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
DEER CARCASSES – DISPOSAL OPTIONS
Director Troupe commented stating a plan for the deer carcass collection and disposal. Have 2 covered boxes at the transfer stations, have a roll-off at the Mora landfill to be dumped daily and covered in landfill. If there is CWD found in the wild, there is an option to be delivered to a place with an incinerator that reaches 1800 degrees F, such as Barron County in Wisconsin. We contacted the landfills in Wisconsin and received a few comments on how they dispose of deer carcasses. Plan for Landfill Disposal 1) prepare a place in landfill, 2) Deer carcasses placed above the recirculation lines, 3) Placement in landfill where tight base soil has been placed to reduce any prions from working its way through the waste, 4) Covered daily with soil – 1.5’. Commercial haulers will need to make an appointment so we will have adequate roll-off box space. Fire Lake Manufacturing has incinerators that will reach the desired levels for purchase. PCA says deer carcasses are solid waste.
Commissioner McNally stated that he took a health, welfare, and safety oath. Why is there not comments from the landfills that do not take deer carcasses? When people bring in their deer carcass how can you prove it does not have CWD? He is not opposed to purchasing an incinerator but why isn’t the DNR providing money for the incinerator? Thinks the DNR should be providing the incinerator and running it. Commissioner McNally is opposed to accepting deer carcasses into the landfill.
Commissioner Hallan commented deer carcasses are solid waste, then we need to do our job and collect the solid waste. It is not practical to have DNR run an incinerator. Also commented if we get an incinerator in Pine County, and the county decides no one else can use it, do we get an incinerator for all 5 counties? An incinerator is not practical.
Commissioner Peterson commented an incinerator is not practical, if PCA said deer carcass are solid waste, then they should go where solid waste goes.
Commissioner Greene commented we have to start somewhere; we can start with this plan and modify it if need be.
Commissioner Peterson approved the Deer carcass disposal plan, second by Commissioner Oslund. McNally opposed stating there is a way to stop this and he will, motion passed (4-1).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Lisa Thibodeau commented that we are testing and having volunteer testing and nothing has showed up, if something does show up, it will be brought to the U of M for further testing. There is a new test the DNR can now test urine, stool, and other bodily fluids for CWD.
Heidi Kroening commented that she was available for any questions, and she agrees with Lisa.
John Teichroew, asked for the deer carcass disposal plan to bring back to report to Arthur Township.
MARCH 2021 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Director Troupe reported for the month ended March, 2021 ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $99,840.14. On a cash flow basis, for the month of March, there is an increase in cash of $278,269.39. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $3,837,098.12.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $3,908,833.18.
The funds in March are invested as follows:
The money market checking account at First Citizens National Bank earns .10%, the CDs earn 2.25%. The Magic Fund rate is .03% and Unity Bank current interest rates are .25%. On April 6, $2 million was moved from First Citizen’s Bank to Unity Bank.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the March 2021 Financial Statement, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
New Concrete Floor for Cambridge Transfer Station
The specifications for the concrete floor at the Cambridge Transfer Station are complete.
This floor was last replaced in December 2009, and we were able to be open to haulers again after a few weeks because the cylinder test was at 5000 psi. We did stay open to self-hauls at this time. The convenience center containers were emptied directly into the transfer trailers. We take in significantly less garbage in February that the rest of the year.
Letters were sent to contractors hoping for some suggestions for curing time but none were provided. We do have several contractors that indicated they want to provide a bid for this project. I would like approval of the project and permission to ask for a quote on both winter and warmer weather options. I would like opinions on the optimal dates to advertise this project.
Board decided September would be a good time.
JUNE MEETING DATE
The June Meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 14, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at ECSWC Office.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Hallan moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:00, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Janelle Troupe, Executive Director