Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

The meeting was called to order at 10:46 a.m.

Agenda Item #1. Consent Items.

a. Minutes of the April 27, 2005 Meeting and

b. Checks & Claims.

Commissioner Turner made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 27, 2005 meeting and the checks and claims as submitted. Commissioner Ische seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Agenda Item #2. Management and Policy.

a. MPCA Environmental Priorities: Presentation by Commissioner Corrigan.

Commissioner Corrigan stated priorities are critical in this political climate. The MPCA created a formula to add value to government based on three components: partnership, priorities, and process improvement. Commissioner Corrigan presented the MPCA work plan and noted that the budget is set from the work plan priorities. Commissioner Corrigan noted that monies will be moved from lower level priorities, such as land use, to higher level priorities, such as water. Additionally, Commissioner Corrigan stated that regulating is not the solution for the higher level priority problems.

Commissioner Stafford asked since SWMCB priorities were on the bottom of the matrix, are there any plans to divert monies that currently go to the SWMCB. Commissioner Corrigan replied that programs such as food waste may get new money but other lower level priority programs will be funded at current levels.

Commissioner Stafford asked how the MPCA feels about the possible development of the creation of a new Department of Environment. Commissioner Corrigan stated that the new department is hopefully moving forward in the special session. The MOEA and MPCA have been developing a structure for the new department that meshes and respects the roles of both agencies.

b. Proposed Amendment to SWMCB Bylaws.

Mary Richardson noted that the proposed amendment to the SWMCB Bylaws would establish an Executive Committee comprised of the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary/Treasurer. The Bylaws will be voted on at the June 22, 2005 meeting.

c. Annual Results Report 2004.

Kate Theisen, Norm Schiferl, and Mike Lein presented the 2004 Annual Results Report. The Report outlines the region's progress in the areas of source reduction, recycling, toxicity reduction, processing, landfilling, solid waste regulation, and nonMSW management. In 2004, the region managed 3,348,243 tons of MSW, including recycled waste. This represents a slight decrease over 2003, and the region is essentially on target with the projected 2004 outcome. The region's recycling rate was 47.9% with yard waste and source reduction credits included. The region delivered for processing 1,080,856 tons of MSW and landfilled 898,762 tons of MSW. 165,812 vehicles delivered waste to household hazardous waste facilities. Over 12 million pounds of HHW was collected, of which over 4 million pounds was consumer electronics.

Commissioner Stafford asked staff how many pounds of waste are generated per person per day. Staff responded that 6.9 pounds of MSW, including recyclables, are generated per person per day in the metropolitan area. Mary Richardson noted that, in addition to that waste, the region is generating over 2 million tons of nonMSW each year. Commissioner Harris noted that it would be helpful to convert some of the pound or tonnage data into units that are understood by the public. For example, the number of gallons of latex paint recycled could be shown. Another example was the number of CRTs or PCs that are disposed. After further discussion of the Report, Commissioner Reinhardt made a motion to approve the Annual Results Report 2004 and authorize staff to submit the report to the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (MOEA) as required under the SWMCB's financial agreement with the MOEA. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Turner and passed unanimously on a voice vote.

d. 2005 Legislative Wrap-up.

Barry Tilley noted that the Governor called for a Special Session. Mr. Tilley also noted that the CRT landfill ban is still effective as of July 1, 2005 despite the fact that disposal legislation did not pass.

Commissioner Stafford passed along Commissioner Kordiak’s sincere thanks to Barry Tilley, Trudy Richter, and staff for their hard work during this legislative session. Art Dunn noted that the MOEA would have liked to see CRT legislation enacted this year, but that there is always hope for next year. Mr. Tilley noted that the SWMCB worked with a very strong coalition this year that consisted of the counties, Hewlett-Packard, Best Buy, Target, and 3M.

e. Industrial Waste Policy Development.

Commissioner Stafford presented the Industrial Waste Policy Development work plan. The work plan appoints an Industrial Waste Policy Committee with the following members: Commissioner Reinhardt, Commissioner Stafford, and Commissioner Turner. The purpose of the Industrial Waste Policy Committee is to develop a policy approach for industrial waste. All Board members are encouraged to attend meetings. Commissioner Stafford asked for participation by the MPCA and MOEA.

Agenda Item #3. Collaborative Activities: Washington County HHW Front Step Program.

Due to time constraints, this agenda item was postponed until the June 22, 2005 meeting.

Agenda Item #4. Communications and Outreach.

a. Community POWER Grant Awards.

Phil Eckert noted that 44 applications were received during the 2005 Community POWER application process, and 14 proposals were selected for funding. Hennepin and Dakota Counties have made additional funding available because they have been encouraged by the results seen by previous Community POWER grantees. Mr. Eckert noted that the funding received by the grantees has tremendous leverage for accessing audiences that traditional public outreach and mass media do not reach.

b. Compost Bin Distribution Summary.

Judy Hunter stated that the SWMCB completed its fifth year of the compost bin program. In those five years, the SWMCB distributed approximately 55,000 bins and moved over 1.25 million dollars of product. Customers ordered bins on GreenGuardian.com or by telephone. The SWMCB 2005 goal was to sell 8,000 compost bins and kitchen food waste buckets. SWMCB received 7,852 orders and sold 6,794 bins and buckets. Ms. Hunter also recognized the staff from each county that worked hard to make this program a success: Sue Doll – Anoka County, Marcus Zbinden - Carver County, Warren Wilson – Dakota County, Paul Kroening – Hennepin County, John Springman – Ramsey County, and Gary Bruns – Washington County.

Agenda Item #5. Other.

Commissioner Reinhardt asked for an update on the National Recycling Coalition Conference at the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:07 p.m.

Members Present:

Commissioner Dick Stafford, Washington Co.