Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board Agenda Item #1
Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
Minutes
Wednesday, June 27, 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
Commissioner John Siegfried, Carver County
Commissioner Paul McCarron, Anoka County
Commissioner Dennis Hegberg, Washington County
James Warner, MPCA
Others Present:
Barry Schade, Dakota County
Zack Hansen, Ramsey County
Don Chapdelaine, SKB
Judy Hunter, Washington County
Mike Lein, Carver County
Keiko Veasey, Jefferson Center
Doc St. Clair, SKB
Brad Fields, Anoka County
Nick Riley, Ramsey County
Doug Nethercut, Jefferson Center
Phil Eckhert, Hennepin County
Jodi Taitt, JL Taitt
Katy Boone, K Boone & Associates
Leslie Wilson Carver County
Mark Rust, OEA
Ryan O’Gara, SKB
Corey Brinkema, e4 partners
Mary Richardson, RRA
Peggy Aho, RRA
Linda Gondringer, RRA
Agenda Item #1. Minutes of the April 25, 2001 Meeting.
Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion to approve the May 23, 2001 minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Harris and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #2. Checks and Claims.
Commissioner Siegfried made a motion to ratify the Checks and Claims. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kordiak and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #3. Management and Policy
Nick Riley gave a wrap-up of the 2001 legislative session. He noted that there is a provision in the Environmental Bill which would allow processing facilities to reduce their tipping fee by $5 per ton. Chair Haigh thanked Mr. Riley for his efforts at the Legislature this session.
Kevin Johnson gave an overview of the section of the Environmental Bill which pertains to mixed municipal solid waste processing payments. He noted that there should be $6 million available per year for two years. If the total amount for which all counties are eligible in a quarter exceeds the amount available for payment, the director will make the payments on a pro rata basis. Commissioner Hegberg asked if there was an appropriation for any excess funds. Staff noted that the money comes from the MPCA and any excess will go into the solid waste fund.
Chair Haigh gave an overview of the selection process for a legal services firm for the 2002 work plan. Chair Haigh noted that four proposals were received in response to the SWMCB’s RFQ issued on April 30, 2001. The four firms were: Greene Espel, Rinke Noonan, Lindquist & Vennum and Lockridge Grindal Nauen. Chair Haigh noted that Lindquist & Vennum has strong experience in the wide range of issues facing the region, including areas of solid waste, constitutional case law, antitrust, joint powers agreement and knowledge of the law relating to local government entities, and has experience representing the SWMCB in its work in policy development and is familiar with and has addressed the types of issues that are posed by the SWMCB. Chair Haigh noted that the proposal review team consisted of herself, Commissioner Siegfried, Commissioner Maher and staff. Based on the evaluation criteria stated in the RFQ, the evaluation team found Lindquist & Vennum to be the most qualified. Chair Haigh noted that if approved by the SWMCB a contract will be negotiated following the development of the SWMCB’s 2002 Work Plan and Budget. Staff recommended that the contract contain a two year term with an option for three annual renewals. Commissioner Siegfried made a motion that the SWMCB select Lindquist & Vennum to provide legal counsel to the SWMCB for 2002-2003 with an option for three annual renewals. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Commissioner Stafford asked what the advantage is of having the three year renewal option feature. Chair Haigh noted that with this feature, the SWMCB has the option of renewing the contract yearly for five years and would not need to go out with an RFQ every year, but if so chooses, could issue an RFQ at the end of the two-year term.
Zack Hansen gave an overview of the selection process for policy and management services. The SWMCB issued an RFQ for administrative and policy analysis consultant services the week of April 30, 2001. One response was received: Richardson, Richter & Associates, Inc. Four firms responded in writing to express their interest in the SWMCB, but stated that, for various reasons, they would not be submitting a proposal. Mr. Hansen noted that based on Richardson, Richter & Associates’ response to the RFQ and the SWMCB’s experience in working with Richardson, Richter & Associates, staff believe that the SWMCB should move forward by entering into a contract with Richardson, Richter & Associates for years 2002-2003, with an option to renew the contract no more than five years. Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion that the SWMCB select Richardson, Richter & Associates, Inc. to provide administrative and policy analysis services to the SWMCB for 2002-2003, with an option for renewal of the agreement for a total term not to exceed five years. Commissioner Reinhardt accepted a friendly amendment to her motion such that the SWMCB select Richardson, Richter & Associates for 2002-2003 with an option for three annual renewals. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Siegfried and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Doug Nethercut, Jefferson Center, noted that the Citizens Jury gave a very loud and clear direction to the SWMCB. Mr. Nethercut thanked the SWMCB for sponsoring the project and giving the Jefferson Center the opportunity to work on the project. Keiko Veasey handed out a draft of the Citizens Jury report to the SWMCB and recommended that the SWMCB take time to review the recommendations of the Citizen Jury. Ms. Veasey noted that the Jury’s recommended hierarchy is: Reduction/ReUse, Recovery, Composting, Resource Recovery and Landfilling. Ms. Veasey noted that the Jury members would be available to participate in future SWMCB projects and could be a public voice. Commissioner Stafford noted that copies of the video of the Jury process could be obtained by contacting Mark Rust at the OEA.
Staff noted that over the next three months, a 2002 work plan and budget will be developed for consideration by the SWMCB. The timeline is as follows: July 25 – approval of county contributions; July-August – staff to prepare draft work plan and budget; August – Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer review the draft work plan and budget; and September 26 – SWMCB review and approval.
Agenda Item #4. Reduction and Recycling.
a. Transportation Packaging: Presentation of Marketing Plan and Agreement with JL Taitt and Associates, Inc. for Transport Packaging.
Judy Hunter gave an overview of the Reusable Transport Packaging project which is part of a regional effort to reduce commercial transport packaging. Jodi Taitt and Katie Boone gave an overview of the Reusable Transport Packaging Market Research Report and the Reusable Transport Packaging Marketing Plan.
Jodi Taitt noted that the marketing plan objective is to encourage businesses to reduce the use of cardboard and wood pallets and replace them with reusable transport packaging which replaces one-time use cardboard boxes with reusable plastic containers and wood pallets with pallet pooling (pallet rental service) or plastic pallets.
Commissioner McCarron asked why anyone would want to replace a renewal resource (wood) with a non-reusable resource (plastic). Commissioner McCarron noted that wood eventually deteriorates, while plastic is forever. Commissioner Harris asked what the life time of a plastic pallet is compared to a wood pallet. Jodi Taitt noted that plastic pallets tend to last three years longer than a wooden pallet and that economically plastic pallets prove themselves. Commissioner McCarron noted that you have to look at cost of pallet lasting forever.
Staff are recommending, based on JL Taitt and Associates, Inc.’s transport packaging reduction knowledge, marketing skills and performance in the development of the ReUsable Transport Packaging Marketing Plan, that the SWMCB continue to contract with JL Taitt and Associates for the implementation of the Transportation Packaging Marketing Plan. Staff noted that there is $50,000 in the approved 2001 budget and work plan for this project. Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to finalize negotiations and execute an agreement with JL Taitt and Associates, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $50,000 for the period of July 1, 2001 to May 31, 2002 for the implementation of the Marketing Plan. Commissioner Seigfried seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Judy Hunter gave an overview of the Reduction and Recycling Implementation Team’s progress on updating the Resourceful Waste Management Guide. Ms. Hunter noted that the 2001 work plan and budget includes funds for the production of 11,000 copies of the Guide as well production of a postcard which will promote the availability of the Guide. Ms. Hunter noted that staff requested price quotes and qualifications from six vendors. Based on the price, paper quality and printer qualifications, staff are recommending that the SWMCB contract with Diversified Graphics for the printing of the Guide and the promotional postcard. Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to enter into an agreement with Diversified Graphics for an amount not to exceed $35,000 for printing of the Resourceful Waste Management Guide and the promotional postcards for the term of July 1, 2001 to October 31, 2001. Commissioner Harris seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Commissioner Reinhardt gave an update on the Reduction and Recycling Implementation Group. Commissioner Reinhardt noted that: 1) the request for applications from community groups for funds and technical assistance will be released on July 1, with applications due August 31; 2) the SWMCB may have an opportunity to participate in the National Waste Reduction Panel being assembled by the Florida Department of Natural Resources; 3) the Resourceful Waste Management Guide is being designed and should be ready for printing in July with distribution in August; 4) the SWMCB is currently researching opportunities to partner with the City of Minneapolis and Mn/DOT to tailor each county’s use of the Anti-Litter Campaign Logo and other anti-litter promotional materials; and 5) the OEA has begun implementing its waste reduction campaign. Commissioner Reinhardt noted that the SWMCB had allocated $100,000 in its approved 2001 work plan to expand the waste reduction campaign, and that it had released in June - $20,000 to support the unwanted mail promotions. The remaining $80,000 will be released for expenses incurred in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2001. Commissioner Reinhardt noted that given the uncertainty of the legislative session and funding, she had asked staff to work with OEA staff to develop a memorandum of understanding for approval by the SWMCB prior to releasing the remaining $80,000. The MOU will be brought to the SWMCB for approval prior to releasing the funds.
Agenda Item #5. Toxicity Reduction.
Leslie Wilson gave an update of the Latex Paint Solutions Task Force’s report to the SWMCB in March which recommended a market-based approach for managing discarded paint. Ms. Wilson noted that the approach focused on creating market demand for recycled content paint products, increasing the value of paint feedstock, and ultimately, decreasing costs associate with collection and managing waste latex paint. The following are a list of projects which used recycled content paint to date: Anoka County Archery Facility, Carver County Environmental Center, Carver County Central Public Works Facility, Dakota County Highway Building, Dakota County Northern Service Center, Hennepin County Family Justice Center and Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center.
Commissioner Kordiak gave an update on the national effort on CRTs and noted that the next national meeting is set for September.
Agenda Item #6. Processing Update by Commissioners Harris and Hegberg.
Held over until next meeting.
Agenda Item #7. NonMSW Management: Update by Commissioner Hegberg.
Commissioner Hegberg noted that the NonMSW Task Force had met in May. At this meeting, the Task Force reviewed 2000 nonMSW data. Commissioner Hegberg noted that the data is currently being revised, based on industry feedback, and will be included for review at the next SWMCB meeting. At this meeting, the MPCA gave a summary of its rule revision efforts. Commissioner Hegberg noted that the MPCA is opening portions of the solid waste rule for revision, specifically rules affecting demo waste, industrial waste and transfer stations. The MPCA will be conducting stakeholder meetings this summer and NonMSW Task Force members will be participating in them.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.