Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
Minutes
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Metro Counties Government Center
Members Present:
Commissioner Dick Stafford, Washington Co.
Commissioner Susan M. Haigh, Ramsey Co.
Commissioner Jim Kordiak, Anoka Co.
Commissioner Michael Turner, Dakota Co.
Commissioner Joseph Harris, Dakota Co.
Commissioner Tom Workman, Carver Co.
Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Ramsey Co. Commissioner Jim Ische, Carver Co.
Commissioner Randy Johnson, Hennepin Co.
Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin Co.
Commissioner Dennis Hegberg, Washington Co.
Commissioner Dennis Berg, Anoka Co.
Gordon Wegwart, MPCA
Others Present:
Barry Schade, Dakota Co.
Phil Eckhert, Hennepin Co.
Brad Fields, Anoka Co.
Mike Lein, Carver Co.
Zack Hansen, Ramsey Co.
Judy Hunter, Washington Co.
Chuck Wegner, BFI
Paul Smith, MOEA
Mike Robertson, Mike Robertson & Assoc.
Don Chapdelaine, SKB
Dave Benke, MOEA
Julie Ketchum, Waste Management
Dave Benke, MOEA
Susan Young, City of Minneapolis
Angie Timmons, Hennepin Co.
Dan Mandle, North Woods Advertising
Dawn Erlandson, North Woods Advertising
Mary Richardson, RRA
Linda Gondringer, RRA
Kathie Doty, RRA
Lucy Pepper, RRA
The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m.
Agenda Item #1. Consent Items.
Commissioner Turner made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 24 meeting and the checks and claims as submitted. Commissioner Harris seconded and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #2. Management and Policy.
Commissioners were asked to indicate whether the SWMCB was appropriately focusing its efforts, and additionally asked to indicate, on a five-point scale, the SWMCB's effectiveness at achieving its goals. The Chair's Survey results indicated that members feel the SWMCB is appropriately focusing its efforts in the four areas of the Work Plan (Communications and Outreach, Policy Development, Collaborative Activities, and Administration). The results also indicated a mode (most frequently given response) to the effectiveness at achieving goals of "4" on a five-point scale, which ranged from "not very effective" to "very effective".
Barry Tilley distributed a 2004 Session Summary that included the following reports:
The CRT initiative was not part of any bill that passed into law, despite wide support from stakeholders and legislators. The OEA will plan a stakeholder meeting this summer to work toward an agreement to establish e-waste recycling.
The House and Senate Environment Finance bills contained provisions for the recycling of mercury switches in automobiles, but the provisions did not move forward because the conference committees never met. Because the bonding bill did not pass, the $14 million for closed landfill cleanup programs and the $4 million to the OEA for solid waste capital equipment grants were not enacted into law.
Mr. Tilley also reviewed several failed legislative initiatives, including Inverse Condemnation, a repeal of Sustainable Building Standards, and budget reductions. Commissioner Kordiak stated that he and others would continue to pursue opportunities for a CRT bill, and would make an effort to thank stakeholders and involved legislators for the effort put forth in this session.
Commissioner Harris noted that the Regional Policy Development Committee (RPDC) recently approved the reduction, recycling, and toxicity reduction outcomes and strategies. The RPDC will consider processing and landfilling outcomes and strategies at the June meeting. The Regional Master Plan will likely be completed in July or August, and, depending on the date of completion, will be brought before the SWMCB for acceptance in July or August. SWMCB counties have begun their individual Master Plans, which will be added to the Regional Master Plan for submittal to the MOEA in November or December.
Zack Hansen, Ramsey County, presented the following key findings:
Commissioner Haigh said it is important for the SWMCB to consider what outcomes it would set in a different economy. She stated that residential recycling is going in the right direction, and that the SWMCB needs to think about how its actions regionally influence the C/I recycling sector.
Chair Stafford asked if Mr. Hansen felt the region was realistic in its goal setting. Mr. Hansen replied that, in the past, the region had set ambitious goals; the 2004 Master Plan presents an opportunity for discussion of the SWMCB's goal setting process.
Commissioner Reinhardt moved to accept the 2003 Annual Results Report as submitted and authorize the SWMCB to submit the report to the OEA. Commissioner Haigh seconded and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Barry Schade, Dakota County, noted that the SWMCB is entering the budget development process for 2005, and that the budget will include a smaller contribution from the OEA than in previous years. He said the reduction in waste landfilled in the metropolitan area at the Burnsville and Pine Bend resulted in less revenue available through the Metropolitan Landfill Abatement Account. He noted that a proposed 2005 budget would likely be presented in June.
Mary Richardson stated that the SWMCB and OEA had signed a funding agreement late in 2003. Commissioner Reinhardt stated that, by statute, 50% of the funding is discretionary and that the Minnesota Department of Revenue takes a cut of the funds before they reach the OEA. Ms. Richardson replied that past funding reports showed the amount deducted, and that she would report the amount to the Board when the report becomes available.
Commissioner Workman noted that this funding source is somewhat in conflict with the SWMCB's goal of reducing landfilling in the metropolitan area. Commissioner Reinhardt replied, stating that if MSW is not going into the landfills, if it is being reused, recycled, and processed, then the SWMCB has accomplished its goals.
Agenda Item #3. Communications and Outreach.
Dawn Erlandson and Dan Mandle of North Woods Advertising, and Angie Timmons of Hennepin County, jointly reported on the Green Guardian campaign activities. GreenGuardian.com was launched 11 months ago. Activities included the launch, public relations, newspaper and billboard advertising, county promotions, mascot appearances, CLIMB Theatre productions and participation in county/regional events. Overall, the public relations for GreenGuardian.com have resulted in approximately 16.4 million exposures. On average, each resident was exposed to the Green Guardian message 6.5 times. In addition, North Woods' staff presented an analysis of four specific promotions: CRT Awareness, CRT Legislative Proposal Coverage, Mercury Thermometer Exchange, and the Composting Kit.
Chair Stafford noted that the SWMCB is on the right rack with the Green Guardian effort, and encouraged staff to continue the use of innovative ideas to gain attention for the effort. He also suggested considering an acknowledgement of KARE 11's strong coverage of the mascot and SWMCB initiatives.
Judy Hunter, Washington County, noted a diversity of groups had been awarded Community POWER grants in the fourth round. All SWMCB members and staff are invited to Community POWER kick-off meetings.
Commissioner Reinhardt presented the Chair with the award that SWMCB had received for the Community POWER program. She mentioned that the Dakota County Farmland/Natural Protection project also won an award for improving water quality and greenway enhancements, and that Hennepin County's Environmental Response Fund won an award for redeveloping brownfields.
Commissioner Turner noted that the SWMCB received an award from Minnesota Technology Magazine. The magazine awarded GreenGuardian.com the "Greenest Way to Cut Costs" Award, noting that GreenGuardian.com "features a bevy of tips and information…".
Dawn Erlandson and Dan Mandle of North Woods Advertising presented the Chair with awards from the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC). The AAPC is a bipartisan organization and the Pollie Awards honor the very best in political and public affairs communications. Green Guardian won awards for five separate elements of the campaign. GreenGuardian.com was designated "best in the nation" in the category of Regional Public Communications Strategy.
Chair Stafford noted that the attention GreenGuardian.com and the SWMCB have received over the past year has primarily been due to advertising and public relations, which helps hook the media and gains exposure for SWMCB initiatives. He stated that it is important for the SWMCB to continue to use these methods of exposing the public to it's messages in the face of criticism and questions, as the method is obviously getting the public's attention and producing results.
Agenda Item #4. Other.
Chair Stafford noted that the next SWMCB meeting will be held on June 23, 2004, at the Metropolitan Counties Government Center and that the next Regional Policy Development Committee meeting is scheduled for June 10, 2004.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.