Staff noted that at the October 17 Needs Assessment Committee meeting, the Committee reviewed the MOEA’s Findings of Fact, Conclusion of Law and Order pertaining to MSW transfer station permit applications within the metropolitan area. In a letter to Ms. Enzler, OEA Director, Mr. Eckert stated that there is excess transfer station capacity in the metropolitan area. Kevin Johnson presented a draft resolution to the Board authorizing the Chair and staff to notify the OEA and the MPCA of the Board’s concerns regarding potential excess transfer station capacity that may not be in accordance with the Policy Plan and seek to resolve such concerns with them; authorizing the Chair and staff to consult with local permitting entities, and monitor the local and the MPCA permitting processes for the proposed transfer stations and to authorize the Chair and staff to participate in the MPCA’s permitting process to express the Board’s concerns and propose remedies to address the potential inconsistency with the Policy Plan. Mr. Johnson noted that the 9^th Whereas of the draft resolution would not be in accordance with the Policy Plan. Mr. Johnson asked that the MPCA limited permits to 50% for two years for when waste supply issues may be better known.

Commissioner McCarron noted that Anoka County is not prepared to vote on this Resolution at this time. Commissioner McCarron asked that the Board hold off acting on this Resolution. Mr. Johnson noted for the record, a disagreement with the OEA’s numbers regarding waste capacity.

Commissioner McLaughlin noted his hope that we can go forward with dialog as reflected in the resolution’s conclusions. Commissioner Siegfried noted that he has concerns regarding additional permitting of stations and how this will work in relation to the five existing facilities. Sherry Enzler noted that it is the OEA’s intent that no additional capacity is needed until 2006. Commissioner Siegfried asked if it would be fair to say that the five permits mentioned would have a "high priority". Ms. Enzler noted that if these five permits move forward, there would probably not be any additional need. Ms. Enzler further noted that the OEA did not take into consideration commercial and demolition waste, in this order. Commissioner Maher noted his concern with some parts of the resolution. Commissioner Maher made a motion that the resolution for adoption be tabled so that members could take this before their county boards. Commissioner Hegberg seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Kevin Johnson noted his concern that the SWMCB was choosing not to act on the resolution today, because if the MPCA were to public notice any of these permits, the SWMCB would have no time to comment. Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion that the SWMCB send a request to the MPCA not to publish any draft permits until the SWMCB can address this issue at its December meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Maher and passed on a voice vote. Commissioner McCarron noted that he has a problem with interfering with what has been up until recently up to the MPCA and communities that wish to do permitting.

Chair Haigh asked Sherry Enzler to give the update on the Advisory Committee activities. Ms. Enzler noted that the Committee had its first meeting two weeks ago and the second would take place this week. Ms. Enzler further noted that the purpose of the Committee is to get a grounding in the present waste system, explore various tools that might be used in bettering the system and discussing policy recommendations.

Staff noted the key findings on the progress of the counties in meeting their CNO’s and of the region in meeting the regional outcomes in the various areas. Staff further noted that while significant efforts are underway in each of the counties, the primary concern is that some outcomes are not within an individual county’s ability to achieve due to legal, economic and financial constraints; and that through county efforts in meeting their CNO’s and their commitment to environmentally sound waste management, the region is working to maintain its integrated waste management system which is at risk, and that each county has performed in accordance with the expectations laid out in the Regional Master Plan; and that the Counties have piloted several strategies in order to achieve their CNOs, some of which are yielding measurable results. Staff noted that the Needs Assessment Committee recommends that SCORE and LRDG should be distributed to each county in accordance with the statutory formulas since progress on the CNOs continues. Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion that the SWMCB approve the Resolution requesting that the SWMCB distribute to its member counties the SCORE and LRDG funds received by the Board in 2001. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Siegfried and passed unanimously.

Judy Hunter gave a presentation on the exploration of public collection of solid waste in Ramsey and Washington Counties. Commissioner Maher asked if the counties would go to different zones and if they would have a bid process for each zone. Ms. Hunter responded yes. Commissioner Harris asked how public collection would increase recycling? Ms. Hunter noted that by subsidizing the management fee, and that the idea would be to have the generator pay the whole cost of recycling and not have it be a part of the solid waste management fee. Chair Haigh noted that the only way to manage the system is to begin with the generator, the current system is not working. Commissioner Siegfried noted that haulers would have to be able to determine how much waste is being generated by an average customer in order to bid on the collection.

Chair Haigh gave the Reduction and Recycling update. Chair Haigh noted that the nine community groups funded under the SWMCB Community POWER Program will be meeting for the first time, and that County commissioners are welcome to attend for the introduction and stay for the overview of the program and roundtable discussions. Chair Haigh noted that the third and final postcard will be mailed out in two weeks and that staff have finalized a dimensional mailing that will be sent to the 100 targeted businesses in November. Chair Haigh further noted that J.L. Taitt and Associates had begun to meet with trade associations. Chair Haigh reminded the Board that America Recycles Day is set for November 15 and that the SWMCB contributed $4,000 to the Recycling Association of MN in support of America Recycles Day.