Agenda Item #1a

Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

Minutes

Wednesday, August 27, 2003

Metro Counties Government Center

Members Present:

Commissioner Susan Haigh, Chair, Ramsey County

Commissioner Dick Stafford, Vice Chair,

Washington County

Commissioner Dennis Berg, Anoka County

Commissioner Jim Kordiak, Anoka County

Commissioner Jim Ische, Carver County

Commissioner Tom Workman, Carver County

Commissioner Joseph Harris, Dakota County

Commissioner Michael Turner, Dakota County

Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County

Commissioner Randy Johnson, Hennepin County

Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Ramsey County

Commissioner Dennis Hegberg, Washington County

Director Sherry Enzler, OEA

Others Present:

Judy Hunter, Washington County

Brad Fields, Anoka County

Phil Eckhert, Hennepin County

Barry Schade, Dakota County

Ryan O’Gara, SKB

Angie Timmons, Hennepin County

Katy Boone, Katy Boone & Associates, Inc.

Barry Tilley, SWMCB

Kevin Johnson, Lindquist & Vennum

Don Chapdelaine, SKB Environmental

Paul Smith, OEA

Mark Rust, OEA

David Benke, OEA

Doug Carnival, McGrann Shea Carnival

Mike Robertson, Robertson and Associates

Mary Ayde, MN Waste Association

Julie Ketchum, Waste Management

Paul Gardner, Recycling Association of MN

Chuck Wegner, BFI

Irv Stern, Stassen, Stern & Erdahl International

Susan Cairn, Cairn and Associates

Erin Bowley,

Mary Richardson, RRA

Kathie Doty, RRA

Jan Lucke, RRA

Peg Aho, RRA

Linda Gondringer, RRA

Agenda Item #1. Consent Calendar.

Commissioner Workman made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 25, 2003 meeting and the Checks and Claims as submitted for approval. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stafford and passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Agenda Item #2. Communication and Outreach.
    1. Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy

      2. Mary Richardson gave an introduction of the draft Policy Plan. Mike Lein reviewed the nonMSW section of the Plan and Phil Eckhert reviewed the cost and finance policies. Mr. Lein noted that the nonMSW policies put more emphasis on reduction, reuse and recycling.

      With regards to Policy 3-12, Sherry Enzler noted that the OEA does not disagree with the Plan stating that the State should take on a stronger role in funding, but the OEA is concerned that the State does not have the funds for such activities. Ms. Enzler asked that the language regarding the State’s involvement be revised. Commissioner Stafford stated that the language should be left as it is written for the public hearing. Commissioner Berg noted that the work "State" could be deleted and that the section could say that a larger funding role is necessary. Commissioner McLaughlin noted that this document is suppose to be a vision through 2023 and that there are a lot of other aspirational statements in the Plan and that some of the goals may not be reached for several years.

      Commissioner Reinhardt noted that it would be acceptable to her to change the language to read "a larger state funding role should be explored."

      Phil Eckhert reviewed Policy 4-14 – Product Stewardship. Ms. Enzler noted that the OEA's concern is that the first alternative is inconsistent with the OEA’s adopted policy and the State’s position. Ms. Enzler noted that when the OEA looks at product stewardship it doesn’t look at it from the view of disposal of end product, but mainly recycling of the product. Ms. Enzler noted that Alternative #2 needs tweaking and also that the major role of product stewardship should fall on the retailers and that to say that Government has no responsibility is inconsistent with the State’s Plan. Commissioner McLaughlin asked who bears the cost of disposing of residue, etc. Sherry Enzler noted that disposal costs would fall on the manufacturer. Commissioner Kordiak suggested that perhaps Alternative #2 should say "and managing" instead of recycling. Commissioner Hegberg stated that disposal should be a part of this Alternative because it is a necessary piece of the process. Sherry Enzler noted that the collection, transportation and managing of products at the end of their useful life is an important key to the whole process. Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion that Alternative #2 replace Alternative #1 with the addition of the word consumer’s. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kordiak and passed unanimously on a voice vote.

      Commissioner Stafford noted that the 6th bullet under Challenges and Opportunities should be left in until the public has had a chance to comment on it. Sherry Enzler noted that the OEA agrees, but they have to work closely with the MPCA on the issue of funding and how the OEA would fill the hole left by budget cut backs. Commissioner Reinhardt noted that the language in this bullet came from the Blue Ribbon Panel and is not just the SWMCB’s position.

      Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion to adopt the draft Policy Plan as presented with recommended changes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stafford. The motion carried unanimously.

    2. Funding Agreement with OEA

Kevin Johnson noted that staff have been negotiating a new Funding Agreement with the OEA and negotiations are nearing completion. Mr. Johnson reviewed the new Agreement and pointed out changes from the current Agreement. Commissioner Stafford made a motion that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to finalize the new Funding Agreement and execute the Agreement upon completion of negotiations with the OEA. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ishe.

Commissioner Harris asked why there is a provision in the new Agreement to allow the OEA to retain $75,000 per year for public education and solid waste research activities and why this amount should come out of the SWMCB’s portion. Commissioner Reinhardt noted that the SWMCB has been providing funds to the OEA for this purpose in prior years and she feels this is not unreasonable. Sherry Enzler noted that the Agreement allows the OEA to retain up to $75,000 per year, not that they will retain that amount every year. Commissioner Stafford accepted Commissioner Harris’ friendly motion that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to finalize the new Funding Agreement without the language allocating $75,000 per year to the OEA to fund public education and solid waste education in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

c. CRT’s and Product Stewardship Initiatives.

Commissioner Kordiak reviewed a proposed policy position on Product Stewardship for Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) and noted that with the prohibition on placing CRTs in the mixed waste stream effective July 1, 2005, there is a pressing need for product stewardship legislation to ensure that manufacturers share the responsibility for managing end-of-life TVs and computer monitors. Commissioner Kordiak made a motion that the SWMCB sponsor legislation in 2004 that would incorporate manufacturer responsibility, reliable and convenient collection options for citizens, assure that products are recycled responsibly, a mechanism for addressing how CRTs would be managed in the case that no manufactures can be identified or is no longer in business, and a preference for advanced collection of recycling fees for CRTs. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McLaughlin and passed on a voice vote with Commissioner Workman voting nay.

Agenda Item #3. Communications and Outreach.
    1. Community POWER: 2003 Grant Awards

      2. Judy Hunter noted that an RFP was released to community groups wishing to implement waste and toxicity reduction projects. Twenty-six proposals were received. Susan Cairn reviewed the list of 2003 selected grantees approved by the Communications and Outreach Lead Commissioners. They are: ABC League of Women Votes, Anoka County Community Action Program, Community Design Center of Minnesota, Eritrean Community Center of Minnesota, Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley, Guardian Angels Church, Hmong American Partnership, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, Neighbors, Inc., People Responding to Social Ministry, St. Anthony Park Block Nurse Program and the Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women. Ms. Cairn noted that there is a meeting set with the Grantees for September 17, 9-noon, and that all Commissioners and staff are invited to attend.

    2. Green Guardian Activities

Angie Timmons and Linda Gondringer gave an update on Green Guardian activities, including participating in the State Fair, planning for America Recycles Day and expanding the Kids in Action section.

Agenda Item #4. Update on Collaborative Activities.

Commissioner Hegberg noted that the Collaborative Activities Group released a RFP for a technical consultant for the Manufactured Shingle Scrap Recycling Project. Responses are due on September 17. The total budget for this project is $25,000. Commissioner Hegberg noted that along with wood waste and gypsum wall board, roofing waste is one of three nonMSW materials targeted by the SWMCB, based on the findings of construction waste observations completed by staff in 2000. The project is focused on incorporating manufactured shingle scrap into government paving projects. Mn/DOT has been testing the material on state roads for over ten years and recently approved the material for incorporation into hot mix asphalt. Commissioner Hegberg also noted that Hennepin County is testing material on France Avenue and that Dakota County has used this type of the material in parking lots.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.