Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

The meeting was called to order at 10:35 a.m.

Agenda Item #1.Consent Items.

a. Minutes of the October 22, 2003 Meeting and b. Checks and Claims

Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 22, 2003 meeting and the checks and claims as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McLaughlin and passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Agenda Item #2. Collaborative Activities

a. Evaluating Dakota County Northern Service Center for Sustainable Building Design

Leslie Wilson reviewed challenges and benefits of designing a sustainable building. John Carmody discussed the outcomes of the first of six post-occupancy evaluations.

Commissioner McLaughlin noted that the SWMCB should make an effort to get more recognition for this project.

b. Amendment to the Agreement with the University of Minnesota for Sustainable Building Design Services

Mike Lein reported that the construction of the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center has been delayed, and therefore, additional time is needed to complete the evaluation of the Sustainable Building Design project. Commissioner Harris made a motion that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to negotiate and execute an amendment to the Agreement with the University of Minnesota extending the term of the Agreement to June 30, 2004 with no increase in the contract amount. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Berg and passed unanimously on a voice vote.

c. Amendment to the Agreement with Lancet Software Development, Inc. for VSQG Database Services

Commissioner Harris made a motion that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to finalize negotiations and amend the Agreement with Lancet Software Development, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $15,000 for the hosting maintenance and updating of the VSQG database for the term of January 1, 2004 through February 28, 2005. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ische and passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Agenda Item #3.Management and Policy

a. MPCA and OEA Reorganization

Art Dunn discussed the possible merger of the MOEA and the MPCA. He asked that people share their concerns about the possible merger with him. Mr. Dunn noted that a Steering Committee is looking at issues of a possible merger including reorganization design and financial implications. He noted that the new organization would maintain the current level of activities, and not look for new activities.

Mr. Dunn noted that the Steering Committee hopes to develop a reorganization design later this year.

b. 2003 – 2023 Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan

Zack Hansen reviewed the Policy Plan goals and policies for solid waste management in the SWMCB region till 2023. Mr. Hansen noted that the Regional Policy Plan Committee had presented the draft Policy Plan for approval at public hearings held throughout the region. Commissioner Stafford noted that county staff and OEA staff had met and worked on comments and questions or specific suggestions received at the public hearings. Art Dunn thanked staff who marshaled the project through and those who commented.

Commissioner Stafford made a motion that the SWMCB approve the 2003 –2023 Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ische and passed unanimously on a voice vote.

c. 2004 CRT Legislative Initiative

Commissioner Kordiak noted that the NEPSI process was to be completed in December 2003, but the targeted timetable is being pushed back. He noted that the US EPA had been funding a facilitator to keep the process going but determined that this funding could no longer be provided since the NEPSI process may result in a recommendation for federal legislation. NEPSI members are in the process of discussing ways to fund at least two more months of staff support. Commissioner Kordiak further noted that it is expected that the meeting to conclude the NEPSI work will occur in January 2004.

d. Agreement for Web Page Services for swmcb.org

Kathie Doty noted that a request for proposals was distributed to a list of web service companies in early November 2003. Ms. Doty noted that the selection team reviewed the proposals received and are recommending that the SWMCB contract with Lancet Software Development, Inc. for web page services. Commissioner Turner made a motion that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to negotiate and execute an Agreement with Lancet Software Development, Inc. for the term January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004 for a maximum contract amount of $10,000, with an option to renew the agreement for one additional year. Commissioner Berg seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Agenda Item #4.Communications and Outreach

a. Agreement with Signature Marketing for Residential Compost Bins and Agreement with Rehrig Pacific Company for Kitchen Food Waste Buckets

Judy Hunter reviewed the request for bids for residential composting bins and food waste kitchen buckets. Ms. Hunter noted that three proposals were received from: Greenline Products for the Home Composter Bin at $27.19 per bin excluding tax and including “The Composting Book”; Norseman Plastics for the Earth Machine bin at $22.50 per bin excluding tax and including a 16-page composting book; and Signature Marketing for the Garden Gourmet bin at $25.58 per bin excluding tax and including the “Home Composting Made Easy” book. Ms. Hunter noted that after staff review, staff found that the Norseman Plastics Earth Machine bin did not meet the size requirement of at least 13 cubic feet in the bid specifications. Ms. Hunter noted that staff are recommending that the SWMCB award the bid for bins to Signature Marketing for the Garden Gourmet bin, including the “Home Composting Made Easy” book at a price of $25.58 per bin excluding tax.

Ms. Hunter noted that three proposals were received for kitchen food waste buckets. They were from: Rehrig Pacific Company at $3.49 per bucket including tax for 10,001-15,000 buckets and no additional cost for printing Green Guardian logo and composting information on the bucket; Busch Systems International Inc. at $3.95 per bucket including tax for 10,001-15,000 buckets with additional cost of $0.20 per bucket for printing of Green Guardian logo and composting information on the bucket; and Norseman Plastics at $3.75 per bucket including tax for 10,001-15,000 buckets and an additional cost of $0.10 per bucket for printing Green Guardian logo and composting information on the bucket. After review of the proposals, staff are recommending that the SWMCB enter into an agreement with the lowest bidder, Rehrig Pacific Company, for the Husky Lite food waste bucket at $3.49 per bucket including tax.

Commissioner Turner made a motion that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to negotiate and enter into an agreement with Signature Marketing for the purchase and delivery of the Garden Gourmet composting bins and to execute an agreement with Rehrig Pacific Company for the purchase and delivery of the Husky Lite food waste buckets. Commissioner Ische seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

b. Amendment to the Agreement with Susan Cairn and Associates for Community POWER

Judy Hunter noted that the SWMCB had in its 2004 budget allocated $190,000 for the Community POWER project. Of this amount, $130,000 is for grants to community groups to promote waste and toxicity reduction and $60,000 is for technical assistance and project management for the 18-month project. Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to finalize negotiations and execute an amendment to continue the Cairn & Associates agreement by increasing the contract amount by $60,000 and extending the term to June 30, 2005 for the 2004 Community POWER grant program. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Harris and passed unanimously on a voice vote.

c. Amendment to the Agreement with J.L. Taitt and Associates, Inc. for Reusable Transport Packaging.

Judy Hunter noted that the SWMCB currently has an agreement with J.L. Taitt & Associates, Inc. to implement the transport packaging campaign. Ms. Hunter noted that based on J.L. Taitt and Associates’ knowledge, marketing skills and performance in conducting the There’s A Better Way campaign in 2003, staff recommend that the SWMCB amend its contract with J.L. Taitt and Associates to continue the campaign in 2004. Ms. Hunter noted that there are funds in the approved SWMCB 2004 budget and work plan for this project. Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion that the SWMCB authorize the Chair to finalize negotiations and execute an amendment to the Agreement with J.L. Taitt and Associates, Inc. for a maximum contract amount of $37,000 for the period of January 1, 2004 through February 28, 2005. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kordiak and passed unanimously on a voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m.

Solid Waste Management Coordinating BoardMinutesWednesday, November 19, 2003Metro Counties Government Center

Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
Minutes
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Metro Counties Government Center