Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board Agenda Item #1
Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
Minutes
Wednesday, May 23, 2001
Metro Counties Governance Building
Members Present:
Commissioner Jim Kordiak, Anoka County
Commissioner Susan Haigh, Ramsey County
Commissioner Joseph Harris, Dakota County
Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Ramsey County
Commissioner Dick Stafford, Washington County
Commissioner Don Maher, Dakota County
Commissioner Jim Ische, Carver County
Commissioner Penny Steele, Hennepin County
Others Present:
Barry Schade, Dakota County
Bob Meier, OEA
Zack Hansen, Ramsey County
Don Chapdelaine, SKB
Judy Hunter, Washington County
Mike Lein, Carver County
Susan Young, City of Minneapolis
Keiko Veasey, Jefferson Center
Irv Stern, BFI
Chuck Wegner, BFI
Bill Sierks, OEA
Doc St. Clair, SKB
Julie Ketcham, Waste Management
Kirk Rosenberger, NRG
Kevin Johnson, Lindquist & Vennum
Darren Tolbolt, Ramsey County
Mary Ayde, MN Waste Association
Brad Fields, Anoka County
Mary Richardson, RRA
Peggy Aho, RRA
Linda Gondringer, RRA
Agenda Item #1. Minutes of the April 25, 2001 Meeting.
Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve the April 25, 2001 minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hegberg and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #2. Checks and Claims.
Commissioner Kordiak made a motion to ratify the Checks and Claims. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ische and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #3. NonMSW Management: Sustainable Building Design: Dakota County Projects.
Barry Schade and Tom Burrows, Dakota County, gave an overview of the sustainable design and standards adopted by Dakota County. It is the County’s goal to incorporate sustainable building design requirements into the County building standards. Mr. Burrows noted that the OEA web page on integrating sustainable design can be found at www.moea.state.mn.us/resource/index.cfm,
Agenda Item #4. Regional Litter Campaign.
Susan Young gave a presentation of an anti-littering campaign sponsored by the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Ms. Young noted that the project is looking for additional partners to assist with the ad campaign. Commissioner Reinhardt noted that the Reduction and Recycling Group will look at opportunities for the SWMCB to assist in the anti-littering campaign and will report back to the SWMCB at a future meeting.
Agenda Item #5. Toxicity Reduction: Mercury Thermometer Exchange.
Mike Lein gave an overview of the Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program. The program’s primary purpose is to remove mercury from the waste stream. The SWMCB purchased 7,900 digital thermometers for the exchange program. Each unit cost $2.97. Over 5,000 thermometers have been distributed to county HHW programs in the region. Staff are recommending an expansion of the mercury exchange program, based on its current success. Mike Lein noted that the SWMCB will be asked to approve additional funds for this project in Agenda Item #8b.
Agenda Item #6. Needs Assessment Committee.
a. 2000 Progress Report.
Linda Gondringer presented the 2000 Progress Report. The Report noted that measurable progress was achieved in several areas, including increased recycling tonnage and increased collection of household hazardous wastes. The region managed 3.2 million tons of MSW in 2000.
Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion to approve the 2000 Annual Progress Report as submitted to the Board with the correction to the spelling of a commissioner’s name. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kordiak and passed unanimously.
Commissioner Stafford and Keiko Versey gave a progress report on the Citizens Jury on metro solid waste scheduled for the week of June 18. Mary Richardson noted that the purpose of the Jury is to develop recommendations about strategies for managing the region’s waste. Members were encouraged to attend the Citizens Jury.
Agenda Item #7. Residential Backyard Compost Bin Fall Distribution Plan.
Judy Hunter and Linda Gondringer gave an overview of the residential backyard compost bin Spring distribution plan. Distribution of bins began on April 28 and will continue through June 9. The SWMCB purchased the Homecomposter Bin from Greenline Products for $28.49 per bin . Residents are paying $15.00 for each bin including tax. In Agenda Item 8b, the SWMCB is subsidizing $14.41. Staff are recommending a fall distribution of an additional 10,000 composting bins because of the high demand from citizens for bins. The SWMCB will be asked to approve the Fall Compost Bin Distribution Program, include the project in the amended 2001 work plan and budget, and authorize staff to release a request for bids for backyard residential composting bins.
Agenda Item #8. Management and Policy.
Mary Richardson gave an update on legislative issues and noted that at this time there is not much to report. Dave Weirens, noted that the Environmental Finance Committee’s target is $12 million above the Governor’s recommendation.
Zack Hansen gave an update on the 2001 Budget and Work Plan. Mr. Hansen noted that there had been an adjustment to the Unallocated Project Reserve Fund per budget amendments which were approved earlier in 2001. Mr. Hansen further noted that due to a larger distribution of funds from the OEA, unexpended funds remaining from 2000, and more interest earned then was projected, there is approximately $625,000 remaining in the unallocated project reserve fund.
Staff is recommending an amendment to the 2001 Work Plan and Budget for seven projects which total $443,500. The seven projects are for: a Fall distribution of residential composting bins; the expansion of the approved partnership with community groups; a co-sponsorship of American Recycles Day; printing of public educational materials for distribution to citizens regarding Household Hazardous Waste; an expansion of the mercury thermometer exchange program; the development of a database on HHW program efficiencies; and, the development of a system to collect and manage information on very small quantity generators.
A motion was made by Commissioner Reinhardt to: 1) approve amendment #4 to the 2001 Work Plan and Budget to incorporate the projects in the attachment to that agenda items; 2) to authorize the Chair to amend the agreement with Cairn & Associates to increase the contract amount by $64,500, extend the term to February 28, 2003 and incorporate the attached scope of services; and 3) authorize the release of a request for bids for backyard residential composting bins. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kordiak and passed unanimously. Mr. Hansen also noted that the addition of seven new projects will require additional project management and administrative services from Richardson, Richter & Associates, Inc. Staff will review the current work plan and RRA agreement, assess the extent of a contract amendment needed for the proposed projects, and make a recommendation to the SWMCB at a future meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.