Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board Agenda Item #1
Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
Minutes
Wednesday, January 23, 2002
Metro Counties Government Center
Members Present:
Commissioner Jim Kordiak, Anoka County
Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County
Commissioner Susan Haigh, Ramsey County
Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Ramsey County
Commissioner Dennis Berg, Anoka County
Commissioner Dennis Hegberg, Washington County
Commissioner Don Maher, Dakota County
Commissioner Jim Ische, Carver County
Sherry Enzler, OEA
Others Present:
Commissioner Paul McCarron, Anoka County
Commissioner Penny Steele, Hennepin County
Barry Schade, Dakota County
Zack Hansen, Ramsey County
Don Chapdelaine, SKB
Judy Hunter, Washington County
Ryan O’Gara, SKB
Chuck Wegner, BFI
Barry Tilley, Dakota County
Nick Riley, Ramsey County
Bob Meier, OEA
Lori Frekot, Dakota County
Carl Michaud, Hennepin County
Brad Fields, Anoka County
Kevin Johnson, Lindquist & Vennum
Rosemary Lavin, Hennepin County
Leslie Wilson, Carver County
Paul Smith, OEA
Dan Ruiz, Hennepin County
Bill Healey, Market Discovery Group
Paul Gardner, Recycling Association of MN
Kathy Scott, Dakota County
Mary Richardson, RRA
Peggy Aho, RRA
Kathie Doty, RRA
Linda Gondringer, RRA
Agenda Item #1. Election of Officers.
Commissioner Hegberg made a motion that Commissioner Susan Haigh be re-elected as SWMCB Chair, Commissioner John Siegfried be re-elected as SWMCB Vice-Chair and Commissioner Don Maher be re-elected as SWMCB Treasurer. These officers shall serve two-year terms. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jim Ische and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #2. Membership.
a. Resolutions 2002-01 and 2002-02 Recognition of Retiring Members.
Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion that Resolution 2002-01 commending Commissioner Paul McCarron for his significant contribution to the Board’s collaborative approach to improving the waste management system in the metropolitan area and extending the SWMCB's appreciation for his many years of hard work and his regional perspective on the SWMCB be passed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McLaughlin and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Chair Haigh made a motion that Resolution 2002-02 commending Commissioner Steele for her significant contribution to improving the waste management system in the metropolitan area and extending the Board’s appreciation for her hard work in the area of Toxicity Reduction. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Chair Haigh reviewed the 2002 SWMCB member list and welcomed Commissioner Dennis Berg of Anoka County. Chair Haigh noted that at this time, Hennepin County has not completed its committee appointments for 2002.
Agenda Item #3. Minutes for the December 12, 2001 Meeting.
Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion to approve the December 12, 2001 minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hegberg and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #4. Checks and Claims.
Commissioner Maher 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 #5. Management and Policy.
Mary Richardson gave an overview of the SWMCB 2002 Legislative Package as adopted by the SWMCB on December 12, 2001. Ms. Richardson noted that the Legislative Committee met several times to sort through the priorities. Chair Haigh noted that the Legislative Committee gave direction to staff on the following priorities; toxicity reduction, source separated organic composting and processing and landfill issues.
Mary Richardson noted that the Office of the Legislative Auditor has released a program evaluation report on recycling and waste reduction. Ms. Richardson handed out a summary of the report to the Board. Barry Tilley gave an overview of the report. Sherry Enzler noted that it appears that ground can be made up in commercial and multi-family area of recycling and reduction, and that the OEA will focus on these areas. Ms. Enzler further noted that the report recognizes regionalization and she noted that the OEA is looking hard at making a recommendation on consolidation and regionalization.
b. OEA Blue Ribbon Task Force.
Bob Meier gave a summary of the OEA’s Blue Ribbon Task Force meetings and the recommendations reached by the Task Force. Some of the recommendations included: modifying the hierarchy to include source separated compostable materials at the same level as food and yard waste composting; support for 100% dedication of solid waste management tax dollars collected by the State to go towards solid waste management purposes; draft definition of integrated waste management system; support for the development of a citizen’s committee with legislative representation to develop a governance and financing structure; a request that the State require various agencies to improve data collection such that accurate year to year comparisons can be made and trends could be identified early for possible action; support for the OEA and PCA as two necessary and distinct agencies that protect Minnesota’s environment; and support and extend the OEA's work on product stewardship. Mr. Meier noted that by January 2, 2003, the PCA will prepare report on long-term liability of landfills throughout the State. Mr. Meier thanked committee members for putting so much time and effort into this project. Chair Haigh noted that she felt this was an excellent process and was a great chance to reinforce the various issues.
Kathie Doty and Rosemary Lavin reviewed the SWMCB 2002 accomplishments report presented to the SWMCB. Ms. Lavin noted that the SWMCB undertook 25 various projects which moved it closer to meeting its outcomes in the Regional Solid Waste Master Plan.
Agenda Item #6. Toxicity Reduction.
Rosemary Lavin noted that in July 2001, the SWMCB approved a program that included the establishment of a single mailing point for SWMCB member counties’ VSQG manifests, and the development of a centralized database for entry of manifests and report creation. Ms. Lavin noted that Hennepin County has agreed to act as the central mailing point for VSQG manifests that had previously been done at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Ms. Doty noted that Hennepin County had also offered to provide data entry services for the database from VSQG manifests received by SWMCB counties. Ms. Doty noted that an agreement is required between the SWMCB and Hennepin County in order to formalize the relationship on this project. Commissioner Maher made a motion that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to enter into an agreement with Hennepin County for an amount not to exceed $40,000 for manifest management and data (2001 and 2002 data) entry services for the Very Small Quantity Generator Database, with a term of February 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002 Commissioner Reinhardt seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Commissioner Kordiak gave the SWMCB an update on the 2001 Accomplishments in the Toxicity Reduction area. Commissioner Kordiak noted that the SWMCB had explored improvements to paint feedstock and ways to build markets for Recycled Content Paint. Commissioner Kordiak further noted that stronger participation and greater levels of coordination among county hazardous waste regulatory programs has afforded the SWMCB with greater opportunity to achieve program efficiencies now and in the future. Commissioner Kordiak noted that the SWMCB continued its coordination with the OEA on its efforts to increase participation in the National Electronics Product Stewardship Initiative. Commissioner Kordiak also noted that that SWMCB had: over 35,000 HHW brochures printed in 2001 and distributed to citizens, nearly 16,000 digital thermometers were distributed to residents in exchange for mercury thermometers; and the SWMCB had identified the need for county-managed database services the VSQG manifest data and an RFP has been issued and a vendor selected.
Commissioner Kordiak handed out an informational piece developed by the SWMCB on CRT’s" A Growing Problem: Discarded Electronic Equipment. Commissioner McLaughlin asked if the Blue Ribbon Task Force had spoke to this issue. Chair Haigh noted that the Task Force developed language about increasing of product stewardship efforts in solving this problem, and that the Task Force wasn’t comfortable using the word "ban". Sherry Enzler noted that it is highly likely that retailers may be moved to collecting an advanced disposal fee which could be used in starting CRT collection programs.
Agenda Item #7. NonMSW Management.
Michael Krause, of the Green Institute, gave an overview of the deconstruction services provided by the Green Institute and the Institute’s recommendations for further action. Commissioner Berg asked who usually pays for the Green Institute’s services. Mr. Krause noted that going the deconstruction route has an advantage to an individual because of its significant tax deductions for contribution to charity. Commissioner Kordiak asked if the Institute reuses all material taken. Mr. Krause noted no, they only reuse what is cost-effective to reuse.
Janet Meisler, Green Institute, gave an overview of the Final Grant Report regarding deconstruction services. Ms. Meisler estimated that the total salvage of this project reclaimed materials with a $266,000 value. Mr. Meisler noted that through a grant by the OEA, the Green Institute, had developed a remill in its warehouse, and is working on developing a "Going to Market" certificate for projects which use reused materials.
Michael Reed noted that the SWMCB Regional Solid Waste Master Plan calls for an increase in the reduction, reuse, recycling and processing of nonMSW, and a reduction in the toxicity of nonMSW, by 2003. Mr. Reed noted that the SWMCB selected URS/BRW to conduct the Construction Waste Project for Phase I Research and Phase II Demo projects to assist in achieving the Master Plan outcomes. Mr. Reed noted that URS/BRW completed the preliminary research and developed pilot projects with Pulte Homes and South Metro Sort and Recycle. Mr. Reed presented to the SWMCB the preliminary research findings and an overview of the two demonstration projects. Mr. Krause noted that the major components of construction and demolition waste are untreated wood, cement/block, sheetrock, metals and cardboard paper.
Commissioner Hegberg noted that besides the construction waste demonstration project, the NonMSW Management Committee has also initiated or implemented in each of its member counties a sustainable building design activity or project.
Agenda Item #8. Reduction and Recycling.
Judy Hunter noted that the SWMCB authorized staff to release a request for bids for residential composting bins at its December meeting. Ms. Hunter noted that the SWMCB also approved the bid specifications where were based on the survey of 2001 Spring bin users and the demand for the types of bins offered in the Fall 2002 program. Ms. Hunter noted that the SWMCB received bids from Greenline Products for the Home Composter Bin at a price of $22.65 including the Backyard Composting book or $21.65 not including the book, and Norseman Plastics for the Earth Machine Bin at a price of $19.50 per bin with the Home Composting Made Easy book. Ms. Hunter noted that staff reviewed the bids and found that the Earth Machine dose not meet the bid specification requirement for size. Ms. Hunter further noted that the bid from Greenline Products is significantly lower than the bid received by them in 2001. Ms. Hunter noted that the program approved by the SWMCB for Spring 2002 included selling the bins for $20.00. Based on previous bin bids of approximately $30 per bin, staff estimated that the SWMCB would be able to sell 18,500 bins with its approved 2002 budget. Ms. Hunter noted that given the lower bid, the SWMCB would now be able to offer more bins to its residents. Ms. Hunter noted that staff are currently assessing how many more bins could be managed through the current distribution plan.
Commissioner Kordiak asked if there is any concern that there may be a saturation point at some point. Ms. Hunter noted that there had been some concern regarding this issue, especially in Carver County. Commissioner McLaughlin asked what the net cost of this program will be to the SWMCB based on this lower than expected bid. Ms. Hunter replied $2.65 plus tax. Commissioner Reinhardt noted that the SWMCB would not spend the entire budget on the spring distribution because the Board cannot handle a distribution project with as many bins as the Board would be able to purchase with the lower bid price.
Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to execute an amendment with Greenline Products for the purchase and delivery of the Home Composter composting bins. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ische and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Commissioner Reinhardt noted that about 50% of the SWMCB 2001 budget went towards Reduction and Recycling programs. These programs included: the Community Power program which offers local community organizations the opportunity to receive funding, technical assistance, and resources in developing and implementing waste reduction projects; collaboration with the OEA on its Waste Reduction Media Campaign which the SWMCB contributed $100,00 to help promote the waste reduction messages; the Reusable Transport Packaging Campaign whose efforts it is to reduce transportation packaging; the Backyard Composting Bin distribution program which was designed to encourage the composting of food waste which accounts for 11% of the residential waste disposed of at processing facilities and landfills; the Office Paper Reduction project conducted with Cities Management, Inc. and AgriBank; and the production and web posting of the Resourceful Waste Management Guide and Environmental Preferable Purchasing Guide.
Agenda Item #9. Processing and Landfilling: 2001 Accomplishments.
Commissioner Hegberg noted that the Processing and Implementation Committee had, in collaboration with the OEA , MPCA and the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, adopted the Processing Implementation Plan which addresses the processing outcomes in the Regional Solid Waste Master Plan and examines current and project processing in the six county SWMCB region.
Agenda Item #10. Other.
The proposed December 11, 2002 SWMCB meeting date will need to be changed, because that is the date of the 2002 AMC Conference.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.