East Central Solid Waste Commission
Commission’s Office – Mora, MN
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
October 14, 2019
The regular meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission was held on October 14, 2019 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 Steve Hallan, Isanti County Commissioner Dave Oslund 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, Lisa Thibodeau of Chisago County, Gene Kramer of Arthur Township, Gerrald Nohner of ECSWC, Stephanie Reynolds of Mille Lacs County and Barbara Wilder, Recording Secretary.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present said the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Director Troupe added to the Claims list: Kevin Sahlstrom and Vince Hall boot reimbursement $100.00 each, Belford Electric $6000.00 for supplies for heat trace for flare. To 8.4 budget add a yard dog and to the Executive Director Report add Donnas Sanitation contract agreement.
Commissioner McNally added to 8.4 budget Host fee.
Commissioner McNally moved to approve the amended Agenda, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARD MEETING SEPTEMBER 9, 2019
Commissioner McNally requested clarification on the Flare and Blowers auto-dialer. He asked why it wasn’t in the original contract?
Bruce Rehwaldt responded that is was an error that it was not put in the original contract.
Commissioner Peterson asked if everyone has a calendar showing all the days we were closed.
Director Troupe responded that we are always open.
Commissioner Peterson requested information on the CAT packer.
Gerrald Nohner responded that Ziegler is still working on it and that the rental CAT went down on Friday. The Bomag is currently in use.
Commissioner Oslund moved to approve the amended Meeting Minutes September 9, 2019 second by Commissioner McNally, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
CLAIMS
Director Troupe added: Kevin Sahlstrom and Vince Hall boot reimbursement $100.00 each and Belford Electric $6000.00 for supplies for heat trace.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the Claims List, Paid Claims List, the Additional Claims List, Kevin Sahlstrom $100.00, Vince Hall $100.00, and Belford Electric $6000.00, second by Commissioner McNally all in favor of paying the Claims List ($215,823.72), the Paid Claims List ($55,466.56), the Additional Claims List ($95,011.71), all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Commissioner McNally requested clarification on the Metropolitan Council claim.
Director Troupe responded that is for leachate disposal.
Commissioner McNally requested clarification the Federated Co-op claim. He thought Lakes and Beaudry were being used now?
Director Troupe responded that is for diesel and gas in the truck.
Commissioner Peterson asked why the Patnode Trucking claim was so small.
Director Troupe responded that they get paid every two weeks. The Paid Claims list shows $46,908.82 paid to Patnode Trucking.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None at this time.
AUGUST 2019 FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Director Troupe reported for the month ended August 31, 2019 ECSWC realized a net income on an accrual basis of $28,533.81. On a cash flow basis for the month of August there is an increase in cash of $226,042.60. Un-obligated cash less upcoming cash outlays at the end of the month was $3,617,990.60.
Reserve accounts for landfill expansion, hauler rebate, operating contingency, and host facility fund total $3,347,109.38.
The funds are invested as follows:
The money market checking account at First Citizens National Bank earns 2.0%, the CDs earn 2.0%. New CDs are 2.25%. The Magic Fund rate for August was 2.22% and Unity Bank interest rates for August were 2.27%. Magic Fund and Unity rates are less now.
Tonnage has increased 8,652.26 tons year-to-date over 2018 or 11%.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the August 2019 Financial Statement, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR CHISAGO HHW
Lisa Thibodeau requested approval from the Board for the Resolution of Support for the Chisago County Household Hazardous Waste Facility Renovation.
Commissioner Greene moved to approve the support for the Resolution, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
COMPLIANCE PLAN – METRO WASTE
Director Troupe requested permission to approve the Compliance Plan about not allowing metropolitan waste be delivered to our facilities – Minnesota Statute 473.848. This Plan will be sent to MPCA for approval.
Commissioner McNally moved to approve the Compliance Plan, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
2020 BUDGET ITEMS
Director Troupe reported that there is a $32.04 increase in single coverage and an $85.50 increase in family coverage for health insurance.
Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the Commission to pay the $32.04 increase, second by Commissioner McNally, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Director Troupe reported that uniforms for the equipment operators in the amount of $10 per week, adding up to $5,200.00 per year. These would be high visibility uniforms.
Capital Items
1. 2 new containers for Mora landfill where private customers unload.
2. A yard dog for Cambridge. Director Troupe has a quote for $15,500 for a 2010 Capacity Yard Dog.
3. A walking floor trailer and permission to sell walking floor number 6 and 3.
4. Closure of a portion of the landfill at an estimate of $600,000.
5. Semi for when Patnode is broke down or not keeping up.
6. Off –road truck next year.
Commissioner McNally moved to purchase the Capacity Yard Dog in the amount of $15,500, second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Commissioner Peterson moved to purchase a new truck for an estimated amount of $125,000, second by Commissioner Oslund, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Host fee
Commissioner McNally reported that the original Host Fee Agreement from 2004 stated that it should be reviewed every 5 years and it’s been 11 years since it has been reviewed.
After discussion it was decided that Director Troupe will put into the 2020 budget $1.00 increase for the Host Fund and this will be put on the agenda for November.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
Odor Complaint
Director Troupe reported that there was an odor complaint over a weekend when SMMPA was not running. The Arthur Township Zoning Administrator called her to share that there was concern that the flare was not running on Saturday because it was not seen and there was odor. He also told her that he saw the flare burning on Sunday. She has no knowledge of anyone going to the landfill over the weekend and physically starting the flare.
Staffing
Director Troupe reported that we are short staffed and have been required to pick up many transfer garbage loads using the employees we have. We have not been able to haul as much leachate as we wish because we need the truck to haul garbage. When we end Friday night with no empty trailers to fill, the employee on Saturday is filling up the floor in the building adding to our fire hazards. We are working at replacing our employees but also need to have adequate trucks to do the job.
Safety
Director Troupe reported that we can’t tarp our trailers the way we have been doing it since we have been in business. She has purchased a used scissor lift from Ziegler to provide fall protection and ordered harnesses that we need to figure out what they will be tied to, and we want to put automatic tarps on our trailers.
OSHA
Director Troupe reported that a person from OSHA did an inspection and no report has been received yet.
Donna’s Sanitation
Director Troupe reported that she received the signed contract from Donna Tourville. She requested permission to sign and to pay past rebates.
Commissioner Hallan moved to approve the signing of Donna Tourville contract and pay past rebates, second by Commissioner McNally, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Cambridge Property Line
Director Troupe reported that the exact property line in Cambridge cannot be found. She will have it surveyed.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Commissioner McNally would like to see roof repairs added to the next agenda.
NOVEMBER MEETING DATE
The November Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 11, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at the Commission offices.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greene asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Oslund moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:02 a.m., second by Commissioner Hallan, all in favor, motion carried (5-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Wilder, Recording Secretary