Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Stafford at 10:35 a.m.

Agenda Item #1. Election for Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary/ Treasurer.

In 2005, the offices of Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary/Treasurer were as follows:

a. 2005 Chair: Commissioner Dick Stafford

b. 2005 Vice-Chair: Commissioner Jim Kordiak

c. 2005 Secretary/Treasurer: Michael Turner

Commissioner Stafford made a motion to nominate Commissioner Jim Kordiak for 2006 Chair, Commissioner Michael Turner as 2006 Vice-Chair, and Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt as 2006 Secretary/Treasurer. Mary Richardson, Richardson Richter & Associates, Inc. (RRA), called for other nominations from board members. No other nominations were offered. Commissioner Ische made a motion to approve the nominations of Commissioner Jim Kordiak as 2006 Chair, Commissioner Michael Turner as 2006 Vice-Chair, and Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt as 2006 Secretary/Treasurer. Commissioner Carter seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Commissioner Kordiak thanked Commissioner Stafford and other board members for their support. Commissioner Kordiak then recognized Commissioner Stafford for his enthusiasm, leadership, and skill as chair of the SWMCB. Commissioner Kordiak presented a resolution of support (2006-01) for Commissioner Stafford. Commissioner Kordiak made a motion to approve the resolution of support for Commissioner Stafford as submitted. Commissioner Turner seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

The Green Guardian appointed Commissioner Stafford as an honorary knight of the Green Guardian Order. This honor was bestowed for service to the community and protecting the environment in the following areas:

(1) Strengthening regional commitment for the hierarchy,

(2) Promoting waste reduction and recycling, and

(3) Creating enthusiasm for garbage issues.

Commissioner Stafford then thanked Commissioner Kordiak, other commissioners, and staff for all of their hard work and dedication to promoting waste reduction and recycling.

Agenda Item #2. Consent Items.

a. Minutes of the December 14, 2005, meeting and

b. Checks & Claims

Commissioner Turner made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2005, meeting, and the checks and claims as submitted. Commissioner Carter seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Agenda Item #3. Management and Policy.

a. 2005 Accomplishments.

Judy Hunter, Washington County, presented the 2005 Accomplishment Report. Ms. Hunter highlighted the SWMCB’s accomplishments in communication and outreach, regional policy, and collaborative activities.

b. Industrial Waste Policy Committee Report and Recommendations.

Linda Gondringer, RRA, noted that in the summer of 2005 the SWMCB appointed an industrial waste policy committee to identify the environmental, resource conservation, regulatory, and economic issues surrounding the disposition of industrial waste. The committee members are Commissioners Stafford, Reinhardt, and Turner. Gary Pulford of the MPCA also serves on the committee. The committee met three times and addressed the following policy issues:

(1) Is industrial waste currently disposed of in a manner consistent with the state and region’s waste management policies?

(2) What are the environmental and resource conservation issues surrounding the current management of industrial waste?

(3) Do the current regulatory, legislative, and tax structure support the waste management policy?

Industry representatives participated in committee meetings and the committee, at its December 22, 2005, meeting developed recommendations for consideration by the full SMWCB. The recommendations are as follows:

(1) Monitor the disposition of industrial and other waste streams and collect the disposition data on the character and resource conservation opportunities of industrial waste and demolition debris streams;

(2) Continue to explore the environmental and resource conservation benefits during 2006 that could be achieved through regulatory changes or with changes to the tax structure, and develop specific legislative recommendations as wanted.

Commissioner Kordiak noted that it is important in 2006 to continue working with industry partners to further the work on this issue. Commissioner Turner noted that he was surprised by the amount of waste going to Wisconsin and Iowa. He further noted that throughout the industrial waste committee meetings he concurred with Mr. Dunn, MPCA that insufficient incentives exist to promote recycling. Commissioner Stafford stated that it is important to start with the hierarchy and that the committee is on the right track. Commissioner Reinhardt stated that it is important that we make sure that we do the study and analysis of options correctly and thoroughly. Also important is that we find the most responsible way to deal with the problem. Commissioner Reinhardt stated that she believed the industry was paying attention and that SWMCB would continue the working partnership they have with the industry to protect the environment and find the best method of disposal of industrial waste.

Commissioner Turner made a motion to approve the recommendations to address industrial waste as approved by the SWMCB Industrial Waste Policy Committee on December 22, 2005. Commissioner Stafford seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

c. Legislative Task Force Update.

Barry Tilley, SWMCB, noted that the first meeting of the legislative Task Force, members reviewed the 2005 senate bill regarding electronic waste. One of the focal points of the meeting was to tackle the issue of orphan waste. Phil Eckhert, Hennepin County, noted that the Task Force noted early in the meeting that the goal was to make sure the bill was drafted as a result of the Task Force. The Task Force heard testimony from Commissioner Kordiak, recycling organizations, and several legislators. Commissioner Kordiak noted that the Task Force was a good process and an open forum. Additionally he noted that he does not desire a system that does not make manufacturers responsible in the end. Mr. Tilley gave an update of the status on the bills in the house and the senate.

d. Legislative Issues Forum.

Commissioner Kordiak noted that the SWMCB Legislative Issues Forum’s purpose is to find common areas between different organizations and to look for new possible partnerships. Mr. Tilley noted that the Forum would bring forward project partners to share legislative packages.

i Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

Art Dunn presented the MPCA’s issues. Mr. Dunn noted no legislative bills have been drafted or submitted. Two priority areas are the Clean Water Legacy Act and electronics. The Clean Water Legacy Act focuses on finding funding and developing program initiatives to deal with the State’s impaired waters. With the electronics issue, the MPCA is looking for a solution that is not administratively bureaucratic, but the MPCA has yet to take any stance on current bills.

ii. Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC).

Commissioner Reinhardt noted that two important AMC legislative issues are to reinstate the resource recovery fee and to find a solution for electronic waste, in partnership with the SWMCB.

iii. Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM).

Paul Gardner, RAM, noted that RAM will be monitoring SCORE funding. He further noted that RAM would be supporting a proposal that had come out of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee that drops the sales tax on copier paper and refined oil. Additionally RAM will be working with the SWMCB on a campaign to reinvigorate residential recycling and continues to educate its members through weekly emails on legislative issues.

iv. League of Minnesota Cities.

Jennifer O’Rourke, League of Minnesota Cities, presented the League’s three environmental legislative initiatives:

(1) Supporting the current legislation of the Clean Water Legacy Act;

(2) Supporting the approval of an electronics waste bill; and

(3) Opposing inverse condemnation.

v. National Solid Waste Management Association (NSWMA).

Doug Carnival, NSWMA, noted that the organization will be supporting the following key initiatives:

(1) The approval and passage of an electronics waste bill;

(2) Landfill gasses and renewable energy.

vi. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

Mike Robinson noted that the perception of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is that they have a negative reaction to waste and recycling. He says that this perception is not true, and that the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce was the first business member to form a voluntary waste reduction program, Minnesota Waste Wise, which currently has 300 members. Minnesota Waste Wise organized plastic bag collections in grocery stores throughout the metro area and created an automobile mercury switch recycling program. Further, the Chamber formed Clean Air Minnesota to reduce ozone effects to help prevent reaching non-attainment for the region. This program included retro-fitting of school busses. Further the Chamber supports the Clean Water Legacy legislation. Mr. Robinson also noted that the Chamber has a very proactive policy on waste management and reviewed the current general policy on waste management for the board.

vii Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy (ME3).

Mike Noble, ME3, stated that the organization is working on the following three legislative issues:

(1) Support the passing of the Clean Water Legacy Act;

(2) Provide a forum to help reduce mercury missions, and

(3) Provide a policy position on renewable energy standards including renewable energy credit, and with a goal of trading a minimum renewable energy standard of 20% by 2020.

viii Minnesota Resource Recovery Association (MRRA).

Kate Bartelt, RRA, presented the MRRA’s legislative issues. They include:

(1) Supporting cap grants for processing (there are currently none planned for the metro area); and

(2) Maintaining renewable status of waste energy as bio-mass.

The MRRA wants the language to be clarified so there is no question that renewable energy from bio-mass accrued 100 mega watts of power.

Commissioner Stafford stated that he would like to create an ongoing dialogue on legislative issues with the project partners that presented today. Commissioner Kordiak concurred with Commissioner Stafford’s idea, noting that the Executive Committee should look for opportunities to create a forum for ongoing dialogue.

e. 2006 SWMCB Legislative Package.

Barry Tilley presented the SWMCB’s 2006 Legislative Package and asked for the board’s approval. Commissioner McLaughlin asked if SWMCB is going to join the effort for 20% renewable energy by 2020. Judy Hunter noted that staff on both the Energy Task Force and SWMCB will meet to explore how the 20% program will work and bring the issue to the next meeting if needed. Commissioner Turner made a motion to approve the 2006 Legislative Package as submitted. Commissioner Reinhardt seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

f. MPCA 2005 Solid Waste Policy Report.

Paul Smith, MPCA, presented an overview of the recently released 2005 Solid Waste Policy report. He noted that the MPCA welcomes comments from the SWMCB. Commissioner Reinhardt asked for Mr. Smith to clarify the timeline. Paul Smith noted that comments were required within two weeks. Mary Richardson, RRA, suggested that due to the timeline, staff review the document and consult with the Chair, who could send comments on behalf of the SWMCB.

Commissioner Reinhardt made motion to authorize the Chair to send comments on the 2005 MPCA Solid Waste Policy Report. Commissioner Stafford seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. Commissioner Kordiak noted that the letter of comment will be routed to commissioners for review prior to sending it to the MPCA.

g. Amendment No. 3 to the SWMCB Bylaws.

Mary Richardson, RRA, noted that in accordance with the SWMCB bylaws the bylaws may only be amended by special resolution of the board provided that the proposed amendment had been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting. Amendment No. 3 to the SWMCB Bylaws was presented at the December 14, 2005 meeting. Ms. Richardson noted that the current bylaws established the SWMCB Executive Committee and named members as the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary/Treasurer. The Executive Committee recommended that the SWMCB amend its bylaws to include the immediate past chair of the SWMCB, if the immediate past-chair is serving as a current member of the SWMCB. The Executive Committee also recommended the language specify the constitution of the quorum be revised from two members to a quorum that consists of the majority of the members. Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion to approve Amendment No. 3 to the SWMCB Bylaws as presented at the December 14, 2005, meeting. Commissioner Turner seconded the motion and the special resolution motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Agenda Item #4 Other.

Art Dunn, MPCA, noted that this was his last day on the SWMCB board as he was retiring from the MPCA. Commissioner Kordiak and Commissioner Stafford both thanked Mr. Dunn for his hard work and dedication to waste reduction and recycling and wished him good luck in his retirement. Mr. Dunn was presented with a Green Guardian hat to recognize his contribution to reduction and recycling.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

Minutes

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Metro Counties Government Center

Members Present: