Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board Minutes
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Metro Counties Government Center
Members Present:
Commissioner Dick Stafford, Washington Co. Commissioner Susan M. Haigh, Ramsey Co.
Commissioner Jim Kordiak, Anoka Co.
Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Ramsey Co.
Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin Co.
Commissioner Dennis Hegberg, Washington Co.
Commissioner Dennis Berg, Anoka Co.
Commissioner Jim Ische, Carver Co.
Commissioner Joseph Harris, Dakota Co.
Art Dunn, MOEA
Others Present:
Zack Hansen, Ramsey Co.
Barry Schade, Dakota Co.
Phil Eckhert, Hennepin Co.
Mike Lein, Carver Co.
Larry Carlson, Ramsey Co.
Leslie Wilson, Carver Co.
Renee Burman, Dakota Co.
Judy Hunter, Washington Co.
Brad Fields, Anoka Co.
Paul Smith, MOEA
Jim Chiles, MPCA
Irv Stern, BFI
Ryan O’Gara, SKB
Mark Rust, MOEA
Katy Boone, JRs Appliance Disposal
John Domke, SKB
Don Chapdelaine, SKB
Dan Krivit, Dan Krivit and Associates
Julie Ketchum, Waste Management
Barry Tilley, SWMCB/Dakota Co.
Mary Richardson, RRA
Trudy Richter, RRA
Jan Lucke, RRA
Kate Theisen, RRA
Linda Gondringer, RRA
Peg Aho, RRA
The meeting was called to order at 10:45 a.m.Agenda Item #1. Consent Items.
Commissioner Haigh made a motion to accept the minutes of the October 27, 2004 meeting and the checks and claims as submitted. Commissioner Berg seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #2. Management and Policy.
Commissioner Kordiak gave an introduction to the National Paint Product Stewardship Initiative and thanked Leslie Wilson, Carver County, for her impressive work representing SWMCB on this national project since 2002.
Leslie Wilson gave a presentation of Paint Product Stewardship Initiative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Ms. Wilson stated the potential benefits for the SWMCB upon signing the MOU include: support and recognition of a national effort, increased regional program efficiencies, and eventual HHW program savings.
Art Dunn noted that the OEA has signed the MOU. Commissioner Kordiak noted that he serves as lead Commissioner for paint. Because of his current focus on CRTs, he requested that another Commissioner lead the paint initiative. Commissioner Reinhardt stated she is willing to take the lead Commissioner role for the project. Chair Stafford and the Board supported this assignment. Commissioner Kordiak made a motion to authorize the Chair to execute the Paint Product Stewardship Initiative Memorandum of Understanding. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Commissioner Kordiak gave an update on e-waste issues and thanked Trudy Richter, Barry Tilley, Zack Hansen, Amy Roering, and Garth Hickle for their work on this issue. He noted that the Governor has given direction to the OEA to work on this issue and is optimistic about the success of the legislation.
Art Dunn noted that he is pleased that the Governor supported the initiative. He stated he did not yet know who the authors of the bill would be and appreciates Commissioner Kordiak's work on this issue. Barry Tilley noted the next step would be draft legislation and to find authors in the House and Senate.
Trudy Richter reviewed the current state solid waste tax rates and described how the current tax policy has resulted in unintended consequences with certain wastes being improperly managed to avoid higher tax rates. Ms. Richter presented two options for tax reform: (1) charge a flat tax rate regardless of waste type except for a very limited group of nonMSW waste and (2) charge a flat tax rate on all waste except household MSW. A flat rate would result in a more efficient and equitable taxing policy for Minnesota and preserve landfills for the type of waste for which they were designed. The proceeds from the tax reform would be sufficient to restore SCORE to $28,000,000 and the processing credit to $12,000,000. The flat tax rate has support from the Minnesota Resource Recovery Association, Solid Waste Administrators, and Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC).
Commissioner Reinhardt noted that the Environment and National Resources Committee at AMC adopted Option (2). Commissioner Reinhardt also presented alternative options that the staff will review and bring more information on to the January meeting.
Commissioner Harris asked where the proceeds from the tax were going. Art Dunn replied that one-half goes to the Environmental fund and one-half goes to the general fund. Commissioner Harris responded he could not see supporting Option (1) when the member counties are being taxed but not getting a full return on the tax monies. Commissioner Hegberg noted that an additional tax on MSW is not appropriate.
Commissioner Kordiak made a motion to support Option (1). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Haigh. Commissioner Reinhardt supports the motion but stated that she would like to have the staff look at Option (2). Commissioner Kordiak supports Commissioner Reinhardt’s request. Commissioner Stafford stated he was not ready to select one option over another until all options have been thoroughly explored. Commissioner Harris made a motion to table the motion because more information is needed. The motion to table was seconded by Commissioner Hegberg. A vote was conducted with Commissioners Hegberg, Stafford, Haigh, Harris, and Ische voting in favor of tabling while Commissioners Reinhardt, Kordiak, and Berg opposed the motion to table. The vote to table passed.
Zack Hansen reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Collection of Hazardous Waste Generator Fees as presented to the SWMCB. Mr. Hansen noted that the MOU had been negotiated by the staff and requires that the MPCA collect the fees and that the member Counties provide the generator information. Commissioner Reinhardt noted that the MOU was only for one year. Jim Chiles echoed Commissioner Reinhardt’s statement, and stated that he is looking forward to this partnership to develop a plan for future years.
Mr. Hansen, per request of Commissioners Harris and Hegberg, clarified
that currently the counties collect the state fees with no reimbursement for
administrative cost and that paragraph 5A in the MOU addresses the new
billing procedures. Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion that the SWMCB
approve the proposed MOU and recommended that the Counties enter into the
MOU with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Berg and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Jan Lucke reported that all counties have adopted their county plans. The
SWMCB is required to submit the compiled Regional/County Solid Waste Master
Plan to the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (MOEA) for approval
by December 31, 2004. Ms. Lucke wanted to thank all members of the Regional
Policy Committee and the following staff for their work on this project:
Brad Fields, Carolyn Smith, Mike Lein, Brad Hanzel, Marcus Zbinden, Phil
Eckert, Paul Kroening, Kristin Pierskalla, Zack Hansen, Norm Schiferl, Judy
Hunter, Nikki Stewart, Paul Smith, and Mark Rust. Commissioner Harris made a
motion to authorize the submittal of the compiled 2005-2024 Regional/County
Solid Waste Master Plan to the MOEA. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Haigh and passed unanimously on a voice vote. Art Dunn noted that the Plan
was an outstanding document.
Barry Schade reviewed the 2005 technical budget amendment as presented to SWMCB. Commissioner Haigh made a motion to approve, by special resolution, the 2005 technical budget amendment. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hegberg. The motion was unanimously approved with a roll-call vote by Commissioners Stafford, Haigh, Kordiak, Reinhardt, Hegberg, Berg, Ische, and Harris.
Agenda Item #3. Collaborative Activities.
Judy Hunter noted that the SWMCB received three proposals in responses to the RFP issued in October 2004 for data management services. After conducting interviews, staff determined that Emerge Knowledge Design, Inc. would best meet the SWMCB’s needs for this project. Commissioner Haigh made a motion for the authorization for the Chair to negotiate and execute an agreement with Emerge Knowledge Design, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $50,000 for the term of January 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ische and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #4. Communications and Outreach.
a. Agreement with Signature Marketing for Compost Bins and Food Waste Buckets.
Judy Hunter reviewed the staff’s recommendation based on the bids and 2005 budget constraints, for the procurement of bin and composting bucket only (not to a include a composting book). The SWMCB received bids from three vendors. Staff recommends entering into an agreement with the lowest cost bidder that meets the specifications, Signature Marketing. Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion authorizing the Chair to finalize negotiations and execute an agreement with Signature Marketing for the purchase and delivery of the Garden Gourmet composting bins and the beige oval buckets. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ische and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Judy Hunter noted that Beth Germon Ignaut provides graphic design services for SWMCB. Ms. Hunter noted that the Communications Team proposes to expand the contractor's scope of services to include designing advertisements for the compost bin program, developing display materials, and designing advertisements and related print materials to support the Green Guardian campaign. SWMCB with the Chair's prior approval, will enter into an agreement with Beth Germon Ignaut for an amount not to exceed $15,000 for her to continue her services in 2005.
Agenda Item #5. Other.
Commissioner Haigh announced that she has accepted a position as the Executive Director of the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and that as of February 1, 2005 she will be resigning as Ramsey County Commissioner. She noted that she has enjoyed her time with the SWMCB.