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

Commissioner Jim Ische, Carver County

Commissioner Michael Turner, Dakota County

Commissioner Dennis Hegberg, Washington County

Rodney Massey, MPCA

Barry Schade, Dakota County

Brad Fields, Anoka County

Mike Lein, Carver County

Judy Hunter, Washington County

Phil Eckhert, Hennepin County

Zack Hansen, Ramsey County

Mark Uglem, Hirshfield’s Paint Mfg.

Cathy Moeger, MPCA

Leslie Wilson, Carver County

John Segala, Amazon Environmental

Corey Brinkema, Trillium

Paul Smith, OEA

Dave Benke, OEA

Ryan O’Gara, SKB

Leo Raudys, MPCA

Greta Bergstrom, Northwoods Advertising

Julie Ketchum, Waste Management

Michael Logas, Fairview Ridges Hospital

Barry Tilley, Capital Hill

Linda Gondringer, RRA

Mary Richardson, RRA

Peggy Aho, RRA

Kathie Doty, RRA

Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 26, 2003 meeting and the Checks and Claims as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ische and passed unanimously on a voice vote.

1. Legislative Issues

Barry Tilley provided an update on the 2003 Legislative Session and gave an update on the various bills being offered before the House and Senate on environmental issues.

2. MPCA Environmental Fund Proposal

Cathy Moeger reviewed a Legislative Fact Sheet of the MPCA FY04-05 Biennial Budget Proposal handout prepared by the MPCA. Ms. Moeger noted that the Legislature had asked the MPCA to join with the Environmental Committee in developing a funding working group to use real fee payers to come up with funding structure options. Ms. Moeger reviewed a list of criteria proposed by the group: a simpler funding structure needs to be structured; revenues should be from a sustainable source (individuals who cause pollution should pay to clean it up); and, there should be a linkage between revenue sources and uses. Ms. Moeger noted that the MPCA is not asking for any new taxes or fees and is also suggesting that no new programs be started and that all existing funding sources be combined into one account – the environmental fund. Ms. Moeger noted that the Association of Minnesota Counties is not opposed to the environmental fund consolidation.

Chair Haigh asked with regards to the new environmental fund structure, how are the Counties’ assured that solid waste monies will not be moved into the general fund. Ms. Moeger noted that the new funding structure does not deal with this issue but she noted that 50% of the solid waste tax that currently goes to the general fund would stay there. Chair Haigh asked how we are assured that the other 50% will continue to go into the environmental fund. Ms. Moeger noted that the MPCA is working within the existing pool of funding sources and is not dipping into the solid waste fund. Chair Haigh noted that counties currently collect this fee but it goes into the State’s general fund. Phil Eckhert said that it is the Counties’ concern that counties collect these fees and that they would need to double the fees collected but that there would be no increase in services to the public. Ms. Moeger noted that the new structure of having one entity collect the fees would make the collection process more efficient and could be in place by 2005. Commissioner Harris noted that the Dakota County does not want the State collecting the funds. Ms. Moeger noted that the previous switch to having the metropolitan counties collect fees on behalf of the State is because generators complained about having two separate bills. The MPCA’s intent was to use one system for collection instead of two.

Commissioner Berg asked if there would be a public hearing on this issue. Ms. Moeger noted that the Legislature must be notified of any fee increase. If the Legislature approves it there would then be a rule review and finally the Governor would have to approve it any new fee.

Mr. Hansen noted that the metro generators are billed two ways: Department of Revenue bills generator tax and the metro counties collect a 35% of a surcharge charged on generator licenses. Commissioner Harris asked that this issue be addressed as a Board and that the Board have conversations with the MPCA and the Department of Revenue because his county would like to get out of collecting fees for the State. Chair Haigh noted that this will be an action item at a future SWMCB meeting.

3. Regional Policy Plan

Leslie Wilson gave a powerpoint presentation on the SWMCB Counties’ collaborative efforts in finding new solutions to disposing or recycling of latex paint. Ms. Wilson noted that latex paint is one of the largest HHW streams and is growing. Ms. Wilson noted that the 2003 work plan includes: working to strengthening markets for recycled content paint, participating in the national product stewardship initiative for paint, and developing a long-range plan for managing paint, examining various management alternatives from a financial and policy perspective and developing a recommendation for review by the SWMCB. Ms. Wilson noted that a report of these efforts will be presented to the SWMCB in fall of this year.

John Segala, Amazon Environmental, Inc., made a presentation of Amazon’s paint recycling processes. Mr. Segala noted that Amazon is the nation’s largest latex paint recycling company. Amazon is the only company that recycles both the reusable and non-reuseable paints. Mr. Segala noted that paint recycling fees are actually lower today than in 1999 when Amazon first moved to Minnesota. Mr. Segala also noted that increases in recycled content paint sales would allow Amazon to lower it paint recycling fees.

Commissioner Stafford noted that there is no end to the volume of recycled paint that could be used if someone could find a way to use it for highway striping and line painting. Mr. Segala noted that highway paint needs to be quick drying and that the additional costs which would be needed to make the recycled paint quick drying and reflective would increase the costs to possible consumers. Commissioner Turner asked if Amazon is working with county housing authorities to make them aware of Amazons Environmental's product. Mr. Segala noted that Amazon Environmental donated some paint to house projects.

Mark Uglem, Hirshfields, presented an overview of Hirshfields recycled paint. He noted that there has been a very minimal response from their customers to recycled paint. Hirshfields has sold 1,000 gallons of recycled paint and has orders for 1,000 more. There are significant challenges with matching paint colors when recycled paint is used. In response to questions about highway paint applications, Mr. Uglem said the difficulty is in making the paint adhere to the road surface. Mr. Uglem noted that he believes that because of the lack of hazardous material in latex paint, landfilling of paint is a viable option.

Commissioner Stafford thanked the Mr. Uglem and Mr. Segala for their presentations to the SWMCB.

Due to time constraints, this item was held over until the next meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.