JOINT MEETING OF
PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE and
SOLID WASTE POLICY BOARD
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
4:00 p.m.
PUBLIC WORKS & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Spiker, Jim Berns, Leon Pfaff, Ralph Geary, Jeff Schroeder, Jai Johnson (exc @5:55)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Andrea Richmond
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
SOLID WASTE POLICY BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Terry Hanson, Jason Gilman, Maureen Freedland, Dale Hexom, LaMoine Parkhurst, Leon Pfaff, Steve Hogden (exc @5:43)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: None
MEMBERS ABSENT: Pete Riester, Dave Corcoran
GUESTS: Larry & Annette Hougom (Hilltopper Refuse), Andy Gayhart (Harters Quick Clean Up), Jeff Schneider (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency), Tom Mosher (Wabasha County), Henry Koch (Foth Infrastructure & Environment)
STAFF: Brian Tippetts, Steve O’Malley, Gary Ingvalson, Sharon Davidson, Karl Green, Jerry Severson, Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
J. Terry Hanson, Committee Chair of the Solid Waste Policy Board, called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.
INTRODUCTIONS
Introductions were made by all present.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
REVIEW SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Brian Tippetts gave an overview of the Solid Waste Management Plan, including information relating to chronology of programs implemented by the Solid Waste Dept. from present back to 1977, though most started after 1987; and, an organizational chart showing current programs and which department managers oversee specific programs. There are 40 programs within the Solid Waste Dept.; currently have 7 employees, 2 part-time, plus seasonals and interns as needed. Brian briefly reviewed some of the main programs.
Brian gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Solid Waste Management Plan; copies of the 15-page plan were sent with the agenda; the plan is also available on the department’s website. Highlights of his overview as follows:
ü Communication, education and marketing – Need to do more to communicate with the public; do more community relations and marketing with businesses; this is where the proposed Sustainability position will fit in.
ü Succession planning – shrinking pool of landfill specialists/veteran staff; same Sustainability position will help fill these needs.
ü Waste stream security – important to maintain services and keep materials in the flow.
ü Funding – distributed copies of “Disposal System Tipping Fee Revenues” informational sheet and reviewed in detail.
ü Transfer station development – need restrictive zoning; those in La Crosse are diverting waste elsewhere, though those in other locations may help bring waste to La Crosse.
ü Xcel related options and issues – potential for expansion, metal recovery, and ash management.
ü Household hazardous materials program – continue with medication collection and e-waste and stay abreast with changing laws and promote regional benefits.
ü Public convenience center drop offs – need to expand hours, in particular Saturday hours.
ü Residential curbside collection service – controlled by municipalities, but is an issue in solid waste planning; present options and share information on studies.
ü Yard waste – should handle locally to save on transportation costs; consider expanding hours of operation; receive a lot of complaints of nonresidents and businesses using the sites – should consider charging them. Yard waste is the only program that the County is losing money on.
ü Disaster debris – Disaster Plans need to address disaster debris, including designated staging areas; work with Emergency Government Coordinators.
RESOLUTION RE ADOPTION OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE LA CROSSE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
Steve O’Malley noted possibility of a May policy planning meeting to review the Solid Waste Management Plan with the new County Board following the April election. On behalf of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, MOTION by Johnson/Berns to approve the resolution. Discussion and questions followed. Noted such plan is not required by DNR, but important to present it to them. The ash revenue will pay for the cost of the ash monofill and a site expansion is needed after 2013. Regarding yard waste, the program is losing money as it is now operated. This loss could be eliminated with close collaboration with area communities. The yard waste program will likely either be eliminated or fees will be increased significantly. Monroe County has decided to continue in the landfill business and go forward with an expansion, and they are also looking at bringing in other counties’ waste, though will not seek waste from La Crosse County. Foth consulting services oversee all construction activities; time and materials are set for specific projects and monitored by Brian. Brian noted the landfill property has 40+ years of capacity; the existing license has capacity for 27 years. Motion carried unanimously; Richmond excused.
On behalf of the Solid Waste Policy Board, MOTION by Parkhurst/Gilman to approve the resolution. Motion carried unanimously; Riester and Corcoran absent.
General agreement by both committees to present the resolution at the May County Board meeting.
REVIEW DISPOSAL (TIPPING) FEES
Philosophy – Brian gave an overview on how tipping fees are set; consider reduce and reuse cycle, composting, waste energy, and landfill; try to give incentives to those that have least impact for liability for the environment so want those to cost less while landfilling to cost more. In addition, each program should recover its cost, and need to respond to market conditions.
Cost Center Review – Sharon Davidson noted a book as prepared by Foth with the help of Brian and County Finance Dept., entitled The Life Cycle Financial Analysis. It includes all of the Solid Waste programs, including actual costs, budgeted costs, inflationary factors, and projections for up to 7 years; it’s continually updated.
Review Construction (past/present/future) – Henry Koch, Foth project manager, gave an overview on the landfill redevelopment and waste relocation project. He shared information on what is being built, why, schedule, budget and financial impacts. Basically, all is good – no bad news. Projects include a new landfill (asset) and the elimination of the old landfill (liability); plan to move 2 million loads of garbage into the relocation site. Henry showed aerial view of the site(s), including photos. Currently on schedule and the waste relocation should be done by mid April. Both projects are significantly under budget. Future projects include testing and removing of contaminated soils from the old site; clean up and seed; cap the demolition landfill and partial cap on the municipal waste landfill; also designing and will build a new shop that will support the landfill operation for the next 20+ years. Discussion on bonding and cash reserves. Review of air space (cubic yards) depreciation and the accounting process. Questions and answers followed. Life cycle of the new liner is forever, though should it fail, there is 4 feet of clay as backup. Regarding future landfill need, there is enough land to expand, but due to residential growth, it may not be useable and may need look at another site or consider a regional site with other counties; recycling efforts benefit the life of landfills. Discussion on television and computer recycling markets.
Debt Issues – Gary Ingvalson gave an overview of Solid Waste Dept. existing debt, and distributed an informational sheet entitled, “Solid Waste Fund 650 - Outstanding Debt as of December 31, 2007.”
APPROVE SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR POSITION
The request is for one new position of Sustainability Coordinator that is included in the 2008 budget as a place holder; at budget approval time, it was decided not to go ahead with the position until further discussion by both committees, including their approval. Committee Chair Spiker questioned the budget process for the position. Gary noted it on page 53 under the Solid Waste Dept. salaries and fringes. Supervisor Johnson said she was very much aware of the position. On behalf of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, MOTION by Pfaff/Berns to remove as a placeholder in the 2008 budget and approve the hiring of a Sustainability Coordinator for the Solid Waste Dept. Supervisors Johnson and Freedland expressed need for more clarity and review of priorities. Steve O’Malley noted because of the time limits today, he suggested further discussion by both committees at future meetings. Jason Gilman spoke highly in favor of hiring the position. Motion carried on 5 to 1 vote; Schroeder abstained; Richmond excused. On behalf of the Solid Waste Policy Board, MOTION by Hexom/Parkhurst to approve the hiring of a Sustainability Coordinator for the Solid Waste Dept. Committee Chair Hanson also suggested further review at a future meeting. Brian noted one of his responsibilities will be to ensure that these two committees, as well as the Joint Oversight Committee on Sustainability, are very clear on what the annual goals are for this position, so that there is not a misunderstanding. Motion carried unanimously; Riester and Corcoran absent.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
The Sustainability Coordinator position will be discussed by each of the two committees at one of their future meetings. Also general agreement by the two committees to hold another joint meeting in early September.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Hexom/Parkhurst to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson, Richmond, and Hogden excused; Riester and Corcoran absent. The meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder