Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Kordiak at 10:36 a.m.

Agenda Item #1. Consent Items.

a. Minutes of the April 26, 2006 Meeting and

b. Checks & Claims

Commissioner Turner made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 26, 2006, meeting as submitted. Commissioner Reinhardt seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Commissioner Turner made a motion to approve the checks and claims as submitted. Commissioner Lang seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Agenda Item #2. Management and Policy.

a. Legislative Issues.

i. E-Waste.

Barry Tilley, SWMCB lobbyist, noted that the Minnesota Legislature failed to pass an e-waste bill this session. He stated that never before did the e-waste bill have so many supporters and votes; however, the Minnesota House of Representatives did not allow the bill to be heard. Mr. Tilley then described in detail the bill that was before the House of Representatives. Commissioner Kordiak thanked the team and the partners for all of their hard work and dedication during the 2006 legislative session.

Commissioner McLaughlin asked, when the legislative ban goes into effect for e-waste, what the counties will do in response to the ban. He further stated that the SWMCB needs to engage in this discussion prior to the start of the ban. Commissioner Turner stated that it is crucial that the SWMCB and member counties develop a plan. Currently, Dakota County does not have a plan. Mr. Tilley clarified that the electronics ban starts on July 1, 2006. Commissioner Turner stated the he is fearful there will be illegal dumping problems if the disposal costs become too high. Commissioner McLaughlin noted that there are opportunities available for electronics waste disposal.

Commissioner Reinhardt added that February 8, 2009 is the date of the change from analog to digital television services nationwide. She continued by stating that, when this change occurs, many residents are not going to invest in the analog-to-digital converter; instead they will dispose of their current electronics. Commissioner Turner noted that the SWMCB needs to continue to make this an issue this fall to be prepared for the 2007 legislative session.

ii. Inverse Condemnation.

Mr. Tilley noted that a very successful, coordinated effort occurred between counties and cities to remove a waste hauling provision that would have been damaging for cities and counties.

iii. Other.

Mr. Tilley noted that the Governor was successful in passing a new mercury emissions standard. Mercury emission standards for coal-burning facilities now have to meet the same emission standards already imposed on the State's waste-to-energy facilities.

Mr. Tilley stated that he was very thankful for the support he received from staff, counties, Richardson, Richter & Associates, Inc., and others from around the state during this legislative session.

b. Construction, Demolition, and Industrial Waste Budget Amendments and Related Agreements.

Zack Hansen, Ramsey County, noted that in 2005, the SWMCB appointed Commissioners Reinhardt, Stafford, and Turner to an Industrial Waste Policy Committee to identify and discuss the policy issues regarding the disposition of industrial waste. The recommendations from the Industrial Waste Policy Committee were approved by the SWMCB in 2005. Part of the recommendations included further study of the characterization of not only industrial waste, but also construction and demolition waste. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency participated in the development of the recommendations, and has made available $100,000 to continue work on the characterization of the waste stream.

The MPCA is proposing a transfer of $100,000 to the SWMCB to conduct a study of the character of the construction, demolition and industrial waste streams in the metropolitan area and greater Minnesota, including the environmental impacts resulting from the disposition of construction and demolition and industrial waste. This characterization study will examine the quantity, quality, and toxicity of potentially recoverable materials. Specific work tasks for this project include:

1. Issuing an RFP for the necessary technical consultant(s) needed to continue the characterization of construction, demolition, and industrial waste in the metropolitan area and greater Minnesota, and managing, in collaboration with the MPCA, the technical and research work necessary to enter into agreements with the necessary consultant(s).

2. Co-managing, with the MPCA, a statewide staff team to guide the technical and research work.

3. Holding the necessary SWMCB Industrial Waste Policy Committee meetings needed to evaluate the study findings and develop policy recommendations for the SWMCB's consideration.

4. Obtain industry assistance and comment throughout the project.

Mr. Hansen further noted that the SWMCB and the MPCA staff are trying to determine the best method to conduct this work. This included extensive literature studies and mining of existing data sources. The team will have a scope of services to bring to the industry in June or July for their review and approval.

Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion that, by special resolution, the SWMCB authorize the Chair to execute the letter of agreement with the MPCA for the transfer of $100,000 to the SWMCB for the construction, demolition, and industrial waste characterization study, based on the Industrial Waste Policy Committee's December 22, 2005, recommendations; and that the SWMCB amend its 2006 Work Plan and Budget to reflect this project and the additional revenue; and that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to execute an amendment to the Richardson, Richter & Associates, Inc. agreement, increasing the 2006 contract maximum by $15,000 for the above-listed construction, demolition, and industrial waste characterization study work tasks. Commissioner Turner seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

c. Awards.

Kate Bartelt, Richardson, Richter & Associates, Inc., noted that the SWMCB received the international iNOVA Award for Excellence in the category of corporate websites from MERComm Inc. The SWMCB was awarded the Silver Award for non-profit organizations in the category of public information. The iNOVA Award honors professionals who contribute to the process of building image, creating profit, and making a difference in the global marketplaces. The international iNOVA 2005 awards drew over 206 entries from 9 countries around the world. Additionally, the SWMCB was a finalist for a 2006 Environmental Initiative Award from the Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI). Now in its 13^th year, the Environmental Initiative Award program annually recognizes 15 innovative partnerships in 5 different categories. MEI also awards the Partnership of the Year honor to a finalist project that best exemplifies MEI's mission to build partnerships that develop solutions to Minnesota's environmental problems. In 2006, 60 groups were nominated for the award.

Agenda Item #3 Collaborative Activities.

a. Latex Paint: Report on the Paint Product Stewardship Initiative.

Leslie Wilson, Carver County and Commissioner Reinhardt presented a paint product stewardship initiative update. Commissioner Reinhardt noted that she was pleased to be the first elected official involved with the paint product stewardship program, and was able to offer a different perspective to the project, specifically on government financing. Commissioner Reinhardt noted that she firmly held her ground that the government will not fully fund the cost of recycling latex paint. Commissioner McLaughlin asked what the average cost is of a gallon of latex paint. Commissioner Lang noted that the approximate cost is $20.00 per gallon. Commissioner McLaughlin responded, questioning what dollar amount would need to be added to each gallon of paint to generate revenue to fully fund the program. Leslie Wilson noted that the partnership is working to develop this number, and that the dollar amount could range from $0.25 to $1.00 per gallon. She further noted that this would be less than 5% of the initial cost of a gallon of paint.

Commissioner Reinhardt noted that another issue facing the partnership is the issue of VOCs in paint. She provided some interesting examples of how other counties and cities are dealing with latex paint recycling.

Commissioner McLaughlin asked if the partnership is looking at national or statewide legislation; Commissioner Reinhardt responded that she will be better able to answer that question after the September 2006 partnership meeting. She further noted that she has made it clear that Minnesota is not afraid to consider state legislation.

b. Shingles Recycling Project Report.

Michael Reed, Richardson, Richter & Associates, Inc., noted that the SWMCB's 2006 Work Plan included a shingles recycling project that will help accelerate the development of the market and infrastructure for tear-off shingles recycling in the region. Mr. Reed outlined some of the completed tasks thus far in the project, including:

1. A presentation at the MPCA's Air, Water and Waste Environmental Conference on February 16, 2006, in Bloomington;

2. Project exhibit booth displayed at the Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association's 50^th Annual Contractor's Workshop in Brooklyn Center; and

3. Provided technical assistance to multiple industry and local government representatives as a result of participating in the previous two events.

Mr. Reed then reviewed scheduled events and tasks for the rest of 2006:

1. Shingles Recycling Workshop on Wednesday, July 12, 2006. The SWMCB will be a lead co-sponsor together with the MPCA and Mn/DOT on this half-day workshop to review and discuss the results of a recent lab analysis of tear-off shingle scrap.

2. Hassan Township Road Construction Demonstration Project. This project will test the use of tear-off shingles in hot-mix asphalt pavement compared to manufactured shingle scrap in hot-mix asphalt without shingles.

3. Discussion of policy and strategic planning options.

Commissioner Reinhardt noted that, when she had her house re-roofed in 2005, the contractor was very excited about shingle scrap recycling and the additional cost to separate shingles was approximately $35.00. Commissioner Kordiak recommended that the SWMCB offer a letter of support for the grant to fund the Hassan Township road construction demonstration project. Commissioner Turner made a motion to offer a letter of support for the Hassan Township road construction demonstration project. Commissioner Hegberg seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Agenda Item #4 Communications and Outreach: Communications Audit.

Heather Peterson, Tunheim Partners, and Dawn Erlandson, Aurora Strategic Advisors, presented the draft Communications Audit. They noted that this assessment includes an audit of activities undertaken by the SWMCB, including the development of GreenGuardian.com, paid advertising, public relations, the Green Guardian mascot, and public appearances, special events, and miscellaneous promotional opportunities. The audit also includes interviews with SWMCB members, key staff, environmental partners, and the media. They noted that the findings of this audit will be used to guide the development of a three-year Strategic Communication Plan, which will be presented to the SWMCB at a future meeting.

Commissioner McLaughlin asked where the Green Tips newsletter e-mail list comes from. Dawn Erlandson noted that the list comes from people volunteering to sign up at different events and activities attended by the SWMCB. Additionally, there is an option on the website for people to subscribe to the newsletter. Commissioner McLaughlin further asked if Commissioners should be soliciting people to sign up for the list. Dawn Erlandson replied that yes, this is a great resource and an inexpensive outreach tool for the SWMCB.

Linda Gondringer, Richardson, Richter & Associates, Inc., noted that the next step is to develop the strategic plan for consideration of the Board.

Agenda Item #4 Other.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:51 a.m.

Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

Minutes

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Metro Counties Government Center

Members Present: