Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board Minutes
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Metro Counties Government Center
Members Present:
Commissioner Susan M. Haigh, Ramsey Co.
Commissioner Jim Kordiak, Anoka Co.
Commissioner Michael Turner, Dakota Co.
Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Ramsey Co.
Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin Co.
Commissioner Dennis Hegberg, Washington Co.
Commissioner Dennis Berg, Anoka Co.
Commissioner Tom Workman, Carver Co.
Commissioner Joseph Harris, Dakota Co.
Commissioner Randy Johnson, Hennepin Co.
Gordon Wegwart, MPCA
Others Present:
Barry Schade, Dakota Co.
Phil Eckhert, Hennepin Co.
Mike Lein, Carver Co.
Zack Hansen, Ramsey Co.
Judy Hunter, Washington Co.
Chuck Wegner, BFI
Paul Smith, MOEA
Amy Briesacher, Anoka County
Kevin Johnson, Lindquist & Vennum
Irv Stern, BFI
Ryan O’Gara, SKB
Doug Carnival, McGrann, Shea Carnival
Barry Tilley, Capitol Partners
Norm Schiferl, Ramsey County
Garth Hickle, MOEA
Mark Rust, MOEA
Katy Boone, JRs Appliance Disposal
Don Chapdelaine, SKB
Amy Roering, Hennepin County
Trudy Richter, RRA
Kate Theisen, RRA
Mary Richardson, RRA
Peg Aho, RRA
The meeting was called to order at 10:38 a.m.
Agenda Item #1. #9; Consent Items.
Commissioner Harris made a motion to accept the minutes of the August 24, 2004 meeting and the checks and claims as submitted. Commissioner Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #2. #9; Management and Policy.
Zack Hansen recapped the SWMCB’s development process for the 2005-2024 Regional Solid Waste Master Plan. He noted that the 2005—2024 Plan is the second Master Plan to adopt a strong regional approach to solid waste planning and was prepared to fulfill the requirements of Minn. Stat. Section 115A.46 and Section 473.803, the SWMCB joint powers agreement and the OEA Funding Agreement.
As required by Article V, Section 5 of the SWMCB Joint Powers Agreement, a representative of each member county must consent to the county supporting initiatives for their respective county. This has been completed.
Commissioner Harris made a motion that the SWMCB approve Resolution 2004-04 adopting the Regional Solid Waste Master Plan as presented to the Board. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Berg and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Commissioner Haigh thanked Commissioner Harris for his leadership in this development process. Commissioner Harris noted that the development process was lengthy and required SWMCB member counties to come together to formulate policy to direct the management of solid and hazardous wastes over the next 20 years. This Plan has come out of that process.
Garth Hickle gave an update on the OEA sponsored series of meetings to solicit input from manufacturers and retailers of electronic waste (e-waste). He noted that two more public forums are planned.
Mr. Hickle distributed a draft advance recycling fee model. He noted that this draft is not a formal recommendation from the Governor. Commissioner Hegberg asked if the proposed model would take care of disposal of products out there today. Mr. Hickle noted that it should. Commissioner Turner asked what the fee is estimated to be. Mr. Hickle noted that the fee is estimated to be $10 for televisions and computers. Commissioner Turner asked Mr. Hickle to walk through the process. The first step in the process would be the purchase of an item (computer or television) where the buyer would pay a fee at the point of purchase. Then, the fee would be distributed to companies managing disposal of these items.
Commissioner Turner asked how Internet sales would be handled. Mr. Hickle noted that some major computer manufacturers such as Dell have indicated its willingness to participate in any fee system developed by the State and would return fees collected from sales to Minnesota residents to the State. Smaller entities selling computers and televisions through the Internet would be more difficult and challenging to work with.
Commissioner Reinhardt noted that the advance recycling fee model says that a retailer may retain a minimum of three percent of the fee as reimbursement for costs associated with the fee collection. She asked if this should say maximum of three percent instead. Mr. Hickle noted that three percent is a placeholder at this time.
Commissioner Kordiak noted that he supports anything that means consumers don’t have to pay at end use. He stated his belief that there should be penalties imposed on any retailer or manufacturer that does not collect advanced recycling fees.
Trudy Richter gave an overview of the draft 2005 legislative package. The 2005 legislative package includes:
Commissioner Turner made a motion that the 2005 Legislative Package be approved as submitted. Commissioner Berg seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #3. Collaborative Activities: Household Hazardous Waste Reciprocal Use Agreement.
Mike Lein reviewed the creation of an agreement between the metropolitan counties for reciprocal use of household hazardous waste facilities. Mr. Lein noted that the agreement created a mechanism whereby residents of the counties could use HHW facilities in any of the counties and that this program has been successful in achieving its intended goal of expanding the range of options for citizens to drop off HHW, thereby reducing the toxicity of the mixed waste stream.
Mr. Lein noted that the agreement currently in place is scheduled to terminate on December 31, 2004. Staff made the following changes to the current agreement: contract term was changed to read: January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2009; general terms in the agreement were made to be consistent with the 2003 State HHW Operations Contract; revisions to invoicing procedures were made to allow for greater flexibility in invoicing procedures; and withdrawal terms were revised to fit with current practices.
Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion that the SWMCB encourage its member counties to approve the Reciprocal Use Agreement as attached and that the six member counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington execute a new Agreement. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Harris and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #4. Communications and Outreach.
Angie Timmons, Hennepin County, noted that America Recycles Day is set for November 15, 2004. Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion that the SWMCB approve Resolution 2004-05 in support of the November 15, 2004, America Recycles Day event "It All Comes Back to You". Commissioner Turner seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Angie Timmons gave an update on GreenGuardian.com activities. She noted that the Green Tips Newsletter was emailed out to 4,000 email addressees, and that on average, 54% of recipients read the messages sent. Ms. Timmons noted that the usability of the GreenGuardian.com web site was completed in June. Ninety-eight percent of respondents said that the site is very usable.
Agenda Item #5. Other.
Commissioner Haigh noted that the SWMCB received a MnGREAT! Award for its Community POWER program. The award will be announced at the WasteWise annual meeting at a joint celebration ceremony on Wednesday, October 13, 2004. Commissioner Haigh asked that staff register Commissioners Reinhardt and Turner for the event.
Commissioner McLaughlin made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hegberg, and passed on a voice vote.