Commissioner Randy Johnson, Hennepin County
Others Present:
Barry Schade, Dakota County
Mike Lien, Carver County
Dave Weirens, AMC
Julie Ketchum, Waste Management
Barry Tilley, Dakota County
Susan Young, City of Minneapolis
Chuck Wegner, BFI
Ryan O'Gara, SKB
Dan Krivit, Dan Krivit & Associates
Linda Gondringer, RRA
Jan Lucke, RRA
Kathie Doty, RRA
Lucy Pepper, RRA
Mary Richardson, RRA
The meeting was called to order at 10:35 a.m.
Agenda Item #1. Consent Items.
a. Minutes of the January 28, 2004 Meeting and
b. Checks & Claims
Commissioner Ische made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 28, 2004 meeting and the checks and claims as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt and passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Agenda Item #2. Resolution 2004-01: Resolution of Appreciation.
Chair Stafford introduced the resolution of appreciation for former Chair Susan Haigh. Commissioner Ische made a motion to approve the resolution of appreciation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Harris and passed unanimously on a voice vote. Chair Stafford thanked Commissioner Haigh for her years of service as Chair and presented her with a plaque.
Agenda Item #3. Communications and Outreach.
a. Transport Packaging Final Report.
Amy Briesacher of Anoka County presented an overview of the 2003 Transport Packaging Project. She noted that the overall goal of the Project is to reduce commercial packaging by 75,000 tons per year. The web site and outreach efforts were expanded in 2003. The attendance at There's A Better Way Forum increased by 38% to 54 attendees. Commissioner Reinhardt spoke at the Reusable Pallet and Container Coalition
(RPCC) conferences in January and September 2003, and will be travelling to Texas on March 11, 2004 to receive the RPCC National Leadership Award. Upcoming projects in 2004 include continued expansion of There's A Better Way website; creating new partnerships; and developing the Reusables 102 workshop.
b. Compost Bin Distribution Plan and Promotions.
Linda Gondringer presented an overview of the Regional Compost Bin Distribution Program. Ms. Gondringer noted that this year, the SWMCB is offering the Garden Gourmet compost bin, a 2-gallon food waste bucket, and a 32-page composting book as a package deal. She stated the SWMCB subsidy is approximately 75 cents per kit. Residents can order on-line at GreenGuardian.com, by calling a regional phone number, or by mailing in a coupon. Events will run from April 10 to May 22.
Ms. Gondringer notes that promotions for the 2004 program are underway. The Food Waste Team is working with North Woods Advertising. Newspaper advertising is happening at a regional level in the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, and many community and local newspapers through the first three weeks in March. The Food Waste Team is also partnering with a Community POWER grantee, Youth Farm and Market, to gain an additional audience. Ms. Gondringer also reviewed the county promotions planned.
Agenda Item #4. Management and Policy.
a. Department of Environmental Protection Merger.
Mary Richardson noted that, at the last meeting, Director Art Dunn of the MOEA introduced the topic of Legislation that has been proposed in order to create the new Department of Environmental Protection. Ms. Richardson stated that Sheryl Corrigan had announced yesterday that the Department would not move forward with this legislation this year. Select counties are focused on funding and budgeting issues and so the issue has been delayed to the next budget session.
b. Legislative Issues.
i. E-waste Trends and Legislation.
Kathie Doty discussed the status of current e-waste legislation. Ms. Doty noted that by the end of 2006, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will require discontinuation of analog signals, and so consumers will need to have digital receivers for their televisions. Digital television is currently available now but many people are still using analog.
Ms. Doty provided an overview of legislation authored by Representative Ray Cox and Senator Linda Higgins. Such legislation would be implemented state by state until a national initiative is in place, in which case state legislation would be null and void. Ms. Doty stated the CRT Team is working to get resolutions of support from cities, counties, and citizens (through citizen pledge forms) for the SWMCB position and this legislation. The team is also working with North Woods Advertising to prepare for an upcoming press conference and advertising.
Commissioner Kordiak noted that the public has not been adequately informed of the upcoming national change to digital signal. Commissioner Haigh asked about the toxicity of flat-panel, LCD and plasma TVs. Kathie Doty noted that flat-panel TVs contain mercury in their switches, and Barry Tilley noted they contain other heavy metals, such as cadmium and zinc, that don't belong in the trash.
ii. Other.
Barry Tilley reviewed the status of other legislative efforts of the SWMCB. He stated the CRT legislation is in the final stages of being drafted by Representative Cox. It is anticipated to be distributed early next week. The group has been discussing the legislation with manufacturers and believes some will support the legislation and that it has an increased chance of passing this session. Mr. Tilley stated also that the budget forecast is due this Friday from the State. If there is a significant, i.e., $4 to $5 million dollar shortfall, SCORE and processing credits could be affected.
c. Regional Policy Development Committee Report.
Commissioner Harris stated that the Regional Policy Development Committee met last week and discussed their role in the Regional Master Plan process. The Committee also discussed the Processing Feasibility Study and approved the release of an RFP for a business advisor.
d. Pesticide Program Funding.
Mike Lein, Carver County, provided background information and an update on the Department of Agriculture's Waste Pesticides Collection Program. He stated that the program is funded by a tax collected on the manufacture of pesticides. County representatives have been negotiating the renewal of the contract. Mr. Lein stated that the payoff to counties would be inequitable and, in some cases, not worth the cost. Reimbursement is not based on participation in the program; it is a set allotment. A significant shift in the new agreement is that Counties must accept both agricultural/business and residential pesticides in order to participate. A possible option for negotiation is fewer collection points.
Mary Richardson stated that a concern is the reduced product stewardship position of the State. Chair Stafford stated he feels the Counties are headed in the right direction during negotiations. He stated the Policy Staff will review the status of the negotiations and bring recommendations to the full board for debate.
Agenda Item #5. Collaborative Activities: Manufactured Shingle Scrap Recycling.
Michael Reed, Ramsey County, presented the status of the Manufactured Shingle Scrap Recycling project. He stated that six or more recent projects, some conducted by Counties and others by Mn/DOT and the DNR, have included manufacturing shingle scrap as an ingredient. The project focuses on the recycling and reuse of manufactured shingle scrap as opposed to tear-off residential shingle scrap. The project goal is to utilize 100% of manufactured shingle scrap available; currently 20-40% is utilized through private and public sector projects. Manufactured Shingle Scrap fits Mn/DOT specifications and bid advisory language; the Team is working to raise awareness of this and the availability of the material.
Mr. Reed noted the Minnesota Asphalt Paving Association Workshop is scheduled for March 4, 2004. The Project final report would be released by the end of March. GreenGuardian.com's At Work section is being updated to include pages on Shingle Recycling. Commissioner Harris asked if there are enough outlets to use 100% of the Manufactured Shingle Scrap available. Dan Krivit, project consultant, stated that there is more than adequate capacity in hot mix plants in the Twin Cities to use the scrap that is generated and processed. Chair Stafford invited Mr. Reed and Mr. Krivit back to the next Board meeting for a final report.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.