Solid Waste & Recycling

Solid Waste & Recycling Committee August 22, 2024 County Board Room Call Meeting to Order: Chairman Jim Gebauer called the meeting to order at 9:00am. Members Present: Jim Gebauer, Karen Cummings, Diane Albrecht, Darrell Thompson, Joe Harris, Mary Thums Members Absent: Rollie Thums(excused), Dan Hoffman and Barb Kallenbach(excused) Other Attendees: Michelle Grimm, Kyle Noonan, Sue Noland, and Saskatoon Damm from Star News Approve Minutes: The minutes of the August 23, 2023 meeting were discussed. Chairman Gebauer is the only person present today that was at that meeting due to reorganization . Chairman declared the minutes approved. Approve Agenda: Albrecht moved to approve the agenda with 11 items as posted; Seconded by Cummings. Motion carried. 2024 Tonnages Thru Ju ly: Tonnages thru Ju ly comparing 202 3 vs. 202 4 were reviewed. Overall, volumes are up with 365 tons of recyclables collected through July . The estimated weights are provided by GFL. 2024 Expenses To-Date: Administrator reported there was a carry -over of $ 63,028.29 from 2023. The expenses through mid-August are $38,627. Grant dollars of $88, 460 have been received and distributed to joint municipalities. Joint Rib Lake received $18,5 48 and City of Medford was $26,088. The balance available is approximately $ 80,100. Future expenses will be the tire collection expenses, monthly office expenses and container billings. 2024 Appliance/Electronic collection and Clean Sweep collection: The 2024 appliance and electronic collection was held on May 11 in Medford and Gilman. Approximately 51,276 pounds of misc. electronics were collected along with 331 old appliances, and 815 TVs and monitors. There were 487 participants in the electronics and 2 44 with appliances. A $5000 gran t was awarded from the DNR to help offset some of the costs of electronic collection. The Clean Sweep was held on June 5 in Medford with 126 participants of which 36 had never been to a clean sweep collection before. Participants were mostly from residents with a few farms and businesses. Accepted were chemicals, oil -based paint, cleaners, fluorescent tubes, and much more. There were 7577 pounds of chemicals, along with 2833 fluorescent tubes, 329 pounds of ballasts, 155 pounds of household batteries, and 153 gallons of waste oil collected. Tire collection: The tire collections were held in Gilman and Medford on August 1 0 and at Holway on August 17 . T entative numbers indicate t here were 1694: up to 22” tires ; 91: 23-24” tires; 3: 24-30” tires; and 32: over 30” tires. There were approximately 105 residents who took part in the collection among the three sites. Bee Line picked up tires following the events, hopefully eliminating the potential for tires to be dropped off after collections were completed. 2025 Budgets: The proposed 202 5 budgets for Solid Waste Disposal, Recycling Act 335, all Clean Sweeps, and grant revenues were reviewed. There is a slight increase due to NWRPC increasing fee by $250 for Clean Sweep collection. There will be some carry-over dollars utilized. The operating expenses for all budgets total $24, 889. Thompson moved to approve the proposed budgets as presented; Seconded by Cummings. Motion carried. City’s Request: Joe Harris stated with all the storm damage that has occurred the City has been receiving an exceptional amount of brush and branches dropped off at their site for getting chipped. They have noticed it has been more than just City residents. The brush grinder is in need of having some teeth and knives replaced and the City is asking if the County would contribute $500 towards replacement of teeth/knives. The Committee asked where the dollars would come from and Administrator stated funds could come from the Solid Waste Disposal budget. Cummings moved to approve $500 to assist with maintenance as long as all residents can continue to use; Seconded by Albrecht. Motion carried. Any Other Business: None. Adjournment: With no further business, Albrecht moved to adjourn the meeting; Seconded by Cummings. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:32 AM. Secretary: Kyle Noonan