Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m.

Agenda Item #1. Consent Items.

a. Minutes of the July 27, 2005 Meeting and

b. Checks & Claims.

Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 27, 2005 meeting as submitted. Commissioner Kordiak seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve the checks and claims as submitted. Commissioner Workman seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Agenda Item #2. Communications and Outreach.

a. Final Report on Round 4 Community POWER Grantees and Presentation by Kirk Hill, Longfellow/Seward Healthy Seniors Project.

Susan Cairn, Cairn & Associates, presented the Community POWER Round Four final report summary noting that 17 community organizations received $120,000 in funding and 6,314 people were involved in waste reduction activities. Ms. Cairn also reported that Community POWER messages reached an additional 305,787 people with waste reduction messages.

Commissioner Stafford asked how Community POWER has been able to reach a wide cross section of people. Ms. Cairn responded that a lot of their work has been through word of mouth and approaching different local organizations. Community POWER uses county staff to educate and inspire the local organizations who then can share the messages with their constituents.

Kirk Hill, Director of Longfellow/Seward Healthy Seniors, stated that 250 seniors received one-on-one consultation on waste reduction issues during blood pressure clinics. 1,200 brochures, titled “Predatory Junk Mailings to the Elderly,” were developed and distributed through 235 senior-serving organizations in the metro area with the Community POWER grant. Mr. Hill noted that the project was a great success and thanked SWMCB for providing the grant.

Commissioner Turner noted that predatory junk mail is a problem for seniors and thanked Mr. Hill and his organization for its work in this area.

b. Amendment to the 2005 Climb Theatre Agreement.

Linda Gondringer stated that a contract amendment with Climb Theatre is recommended for 10 additional Green Guardian mascot appearances. The 2005 demand for Green Guardian mascot appearances has been stronger than anticipated. Commissioner Kordiak made a motion authorizing the Chair to execute an amendment to the agreement with Climb Theatre to increase the contract maximum by $3,000 for 10 additional Green Guardian mascot appearances. Commissioner Harris seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

c. Green Guardian.

i. Trademark Issues.

Kevin Johnson, Lindquist & Vennum, briefed the Board on the status of the Green Guardian trademark issues.

ii. Update on Promotions Targeted at Children

Angie Timmons, Hennepin Co., noted that the Green Guardian website section for children is in the process of being updated to include new links, information for educators, monthly kid’s activities, and connections to Community POWER grantees. Ms. Timmons stated that, to promote the updated site to children and to celebrate America Recycles Day, the team created a coloring contest. The coloring contest forms will primarily be distributed through Minnesota Parent Magazine, through Community POWER grantees, and available on GreenGuardian.com.

Ms. Timmons also noted that the Green Guardian was unable to defend his first place title at this year’s Twin Cities Marathon Mascot Race; however, this year SWMCB had a booth in the children’s activity tent and reached approximately 2,000 families.

Agenda Item #3. Management and Policy.

a. Industrial Waste Policy Committee Report.

Commissioner Stafford noted that the first Committee meeting was held on August 11, 2005. The Committee reviewed the data gathered by staff and asked industry to assist with filling in the gaps in data. The Committee also discussed the policy issues related to the management of industrial waste. Commissioner Stafford stated that the next meeting will take place on October 13, 2005 at 1:30 p.m. at the Association of Minnesota Counties. At that meeting, the Committee will develop findings based on updated data, begin to develop options for addressing the policy issues identified at the first meeting, and ask for industry input on the data. The Committee will also ask industry to help identify options for addressing the policy issues. The Committee’s goal is to have a third and final meeting in November where a recommendation for consideration by the full board will be developed.

b. National Recycling Coalition 24^th Annual Congress and Exposition.

Commissioner Stafford stated that at the conference Commissioner Kordiak was given the national award of “Best Local Elected Recycling Leader.” Commissioner Kordiak responded by stating that all SWMCB Commissioners and staff played a role in him winning the title. Commissioner Kordiak noted that over 600 people attended the conference and that he learned a lot of valuable information. He noted that the conference covered a wide range of topics, including elements of successful programs, organics management, and program promotions. Linda Gondringer, RRA, stated that the SWMCB was a bronze sponsor of the event and many staff attended and gave presentations. Ms. Gondringer also noted that Chair Stafford's letter of welcome appeared prominently in the NRC program brochure, and that the Recycling Association of Minnesota and Hennepin County created a permanent recycling program at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

c. Report from the MPCA.

i. Update on Legislative Task Force.

Art Dunn, MPCA, stated that no legislative appointments have been made to the Task Force. The Task Force has been charged with having a report to the legislature by the first of the year on organics management and e-waste. Commissioner Harris asked if the landfill capacity issue has emerged as of yet. Mr. Dunn responded by stating that Representative Hackbarth brought forth the issue of dwindling capacity at the end of the legislative session.

ii. MCPA/OEA Merger Issues.

Art Dunn noted that the merger is going well. Mr. Dunn also noted that he has been given the title of Director of Strategic Planning.

d. Certificate of Need for the Burnsville Sanitary Landfill.

Barry Shade, Dakota County, stated a Certificate of Need (CON) is a process that the MPCA uses to evaluate landfill capacity need, and that the SWMCB traditionally comments on the need. Paul Smith, MPCA, noted the MPCA received a request from Burnsville Sanitary Landfill for an expansion of 6.2 million yards. The MPCA staff recommendation is for a 3 million yard expansion. Mr. Smith also noted that all public comments are due by October 14, 2005. Mr. Shade noted that the Policy Staff evaluated the request and found that the request for additional capacity is consistent with the Policy Plan and the Master Plan. Mr. Schade reviewed the draft letter of SWMCB comments.

Commissioner Turner made a motion to authorize the Chair to submit the letter of comment on the Burnsville Sanitary Landfill request for a Certificate of Need to the MPCA. Commissioner Workman seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Commissioner Kordiak asked if the landfill will be lined and how many cells it will contain. Don Kyser, MCPA, noted the landfill will be lined and the cell has been designed for a volume of 30 acres by 120 feet deep but the number of cells has yet to be determined. Commissioner Stafford noted that he supports the waste hierarchy and notes that landfilling is an essential component of the equation.

e. 2006 Work Plan and Budget Update.

Barry Shade, Dakota County, noted that in 2006 the SWMCB will have less revenue than in 2005, and approximately 1.1 million dollars will be available as a base budget. The base budget in 2005 was 1.2 million dollars. Zack Hanson, Ramsey Co., reviewed the 2006 draft work plan and noted that the work plan focuses on policy development, communications and collaborative activities and partnerships.

Agenda Item #4. Other.

Commissioner Stafford noted that the next SWMCB Board meeting is on October 26, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. at Metro Counties Government Center.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:49 a.m.

Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

Minutes

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Metro Counties Government Center

Members Present: