Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
Minutes
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Metro Counties Government Center
Members Present:
Commissioner Dick Stafford, Chair,
Washington County
Commissioner Susan Haigh, Vice Chair,
Ramsey County
Commissioner Jim Kordiak, Treasurer
Anoka County
Commissioner Dennis Berg, Anoka County
Commissioner Jim Ische, Carver County
Commissioner Joseph Harris, Dakota County
Commissioner Michael Turner, Dakota County
Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Ramsey County
Commissioner Dennis Hegberg, Washington County
Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County
Art Dunn, OEA
Others Present:
Brad Fields, Anoka County
Mike Lein, Carver County
Barry Tilley, Dakota County/SWMCB
Mark Rust, OEA
Don Chapdelaine, SKB Environmental
Dave Weirens, AMC
Paul Smith, Minnesota OEA
Amy Briesacher, Anoka County
Julie Ketchum, Waste Management
Norm Schiferl, Ramsey County
Tim Goodman, Tim Goodman & Associates
Randy Bright, North Memorial Health Center
Fawzi Awad, Ramsey County
Lori Frekot, Dakota County
Jan Lucke, RRA
Trudy Richter, RRA
Kathie Doty, RRA
Peg Aho, RRA
Linda Gondringer, RRA
Mary Richardson, RRA
The meeting was called to order at 10:35 a.m.
Agenda Item #1. Elections: Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer.
Commissioner Haigh called for nominations. Commissioner Reinhardt nominated Dick Stafford as Chair, Susan Haigh as Vice Chair and Jim Kordiak as Treasurer for a 2-year term. Commissioner Turner seconded Commissioner Reinhardt’s nominations. There being no further nominations, nominations were closed. After a unanimous vote by the SWMCB, positions stand as nominated.
Agenda Item #2. Consent Items.
a. Minutes of the November 17, 2003 Meeting and b. Checks and Claims
Commissioner Turner made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2003 meeting and the checks and claims as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ische and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #3. Management and Policy.
Linda Gondringer reviewed the draft 2003 Annual Report. Commissioner Harris made a motion that the Chair be authorized to finalize and distribute the Annual Report. Commissioner Haigh seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
i. Update on CRTs and Other Issues
Commissioner Kordiak reviewed the summary of Representative Ray Cox’s draft bill on CRTs and other video display devices. He noted that the bill is intended to address the growing problem of electronic waste in the mixed municipal waste stream. He encouraged every county and city in the region to pass a resolution supporting the electronics initiative. Commissioner Stafford asked if Minnesota is taking the lead on this type of legislation. Commissioner Kordiak noted that the only other state he knows of with legislation like the SWMCB is developing is the State of California, but 5 states do have bans. Commissioner Stafford asked that a draft resolution be developed to present to communities in the region.
Mary Richardson noted that an organization's designated lobbyist is responsible for reporting all lobbying expenses incurred for a project over a certain time period. Commissioner Turner made a motion that the SWMCB appoint Barry Tilley as their designated lobbyist. Commissioner Ische seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Trudy Richter noted that two proposals for a technical consultant for Source Separated Organics Management Study were received in response to the SWMCB’s release of an RFP. Ms. Richter noted that staff are recommending, after reviewing both proposals, that the SWMCB contract with Tim Goodman & Associates for the feasibility study work. Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to finalize negotiations and enter into an Agreement with Tim Goodman & Associates for source separated organics management and feasibility and recommendations for an amount not to exceed $28,600 for the term of February 1, 2004 through June 30, 2004. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Haigh and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Commissioner Stafford asked Trudy Richter to work closely with Ramsey and Washington Counties so there is no duplication of effort when it comes to studying source-separated organics management.
Linda Gondringer reviewed the proposed technical amendments to the 2004 budget. The amendments needed are: 1) an adjustment to the 2004 budget to reflect 2003 encumbered project expenses, and 2) a revision to the project reserve to reflect a reduction in earned interest and an increase in uncommitted and encumbered funds carried forward. Ms. Gondringer noted that these proposed amendments will increase the SWMCB’s project reserve to $246,475.28. Commissioner Harris made a motion that the 2004 budget be amended as recommended by staff. Commissioner Haigh seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
e. 2003 - 2003 Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan and the Regional Solid Waste Management Master Plan
Art Dunn reviewed the approval process of the Policy Plan. Mary Richardson noted that each metropolitan county will supplement the Regional Policy Plan with their individual county master plans. This work will be done over the next six months.
Art Dunn also noted that the MPCA and the OEA are working together on the merger of the two departments. Legislation has been drafted. Mr. Dunn will provide an update on this process at the next meeting.
Agenda Item #4. Collaborative Activities: Hospital Health Care Presentation by Randy Bright, North Memorial Hospital, and SWMCB Staff
Randy Bright and Fawzi Awad gave an update on hazardous waste management for the healthcare facilities and the training program developed by the SWMCB. Mr. Awad noted that over 160 individuals from all over the State of Minnesota attended the training session developed by the SWMCB.
Commissioner McLaughlin asked if staff determined the net savings a hospital realizes by utilizing the process developed by the SWMCB for disposing of hazardous wastes. Randy Bright said that a hospital is looking at an annual savings of $35,000. Commissioner Harris suggested that this project also work with health clinics. Commissioner McLaughlin noted that the SWMCB is a pioneer in this area.
Agenda Item #5. Communications and Outreach.
Due to time constraints, this agenda item was held over until the next meeting.
Mary Richardson noted that the RFP for Community POWER grants is on GreenGuardian.com and that applications are due March 26, 2004.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.