Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board Agenda Item #1a
Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
Minutes
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Metro Counties Government Center
Members Present:
Commissioner Susan Haigh, Chair Ramsey County
Commissioner Dick Stafford, Washington County
Commissioner Dennis Berg, Anoka County
Commissioner Joseph Harris, Dakota County
Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County
Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Ramsey County
Sherry Enzler, OEA
Others Present:
Barry Schade, Dakota County
Brad Fields, Anoka County
Mike Lein, Carver County
Kevin Johnson, Lindquist & Vennum
Judy Hunter, Washington County
Phil Eckhert, Hennepin County
Zack Hansen, Ramsey County
Chuck Wegner, BFI
Bob Meier, OEA
Irv Stern, BFI
Dave Benke, OEA
Mark Rust, OEA
Ron Weiss, Red Lake
Dean Newland, Clearwater County
Gene Mossing, Olmsted County
Linda Gondringer, RRA
Mary Richardson, RRA
Trudy Richter, RRA
Agenda Item #1. Consent Calendar.
Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 26, 2003 meeting and the Checks and Claims as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #2. Management and Regional Policy.
Barry Tilley provided an update on the CRT bill. He noted that it is moving forward, though it is expected to have opposition. Mr. Tilley also noted that he and staff are tracking any legislation regarding the SCORE tax and a budget reduction. The current bill would reduce SCORE funding by 20% and staff is working to insure that SCORE is not reduced further. Trudy Richter provided an overview of the renewable energy legislation. She highlighted the coalition of support that is promoting the reclassification of energy from waste-to-energy facilities as a renewable energy. She noted that there is significant opposition from environmental groups. Discussion continued on the strategy for advancing the renewable energy legislation.
Chair Haigh introduced this topic by noting that she has been working closely with Sherry Enzler, OEA Director regarding the OEA's request that the SWMCB and its member counties return SCORE funds to the State so that the unallotted portion of the SCORE funds would have an equitable impact among all counties in the State. Both Chair Haigh and Director Enzler acknowledged that the SWMCB and the OEA have worked in a mutually beneficial partnership over the last several years to advance the goals of the Region and the State in solid waste, and that the funding agreement between the SWMCB and the OEA has been critical to the advancement of those goals. Director Enzler noted that she appreciated the willingness of the SWMCB to consider the resolution before them that would return the unallotted portion of the SCORE funds and that she valued the continued relationship with the SWMCB. Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion to adopt Resolution 2003-01 that resolves that the SWMCB requests that the member counties return the unallotted portion of the SCORE funds to the SWMCB in the amounts listed in the attachment to the resolution, and that it be further resolved that following the return of the unallotted SCORE funds by the member counties to the SWMCB, that the SWMCB shall return such funds to the OEA. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Berg. On the roll call for the votes, Commissioner Berg cast two aye votes for Anoka County, Dick Stafford cast two aye votes for Washington County, Commissioner Harris cast two aye votes for Dakota County, Commissioner Peter McLaughlin cast two aye votes for Hennepin County. Chair Haigh and Commissioner Reinhardt each cast one aye vote for Ramsey County. Carver County representatives were absent. Motion passed. . Discussion continued on the timing of the renegotiation of the OEA/SWMCB agreement. SWMCB members and OEA Director Enzler agreed to begin negotiations in April.
Agenda Item #3. Other.
There being no further business, Commissioner Harris made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McLaughlin and passed unanimously on a voice vote.