MINUTES of the June 14, 2011 Meeting of the Monroe County Solid
Waste Management Committee
MEMBERS PRESENT: Larry McTaggart, Richard Yarrington, Mike Luethe and Carol Las.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Adam Hayden
OTHERS PRESENT: Gail Frie-Monroe County Solid Waste Manager, Sue Van Geertruy-Solid Waste
Clerical Assistant Erik Lietz–Ayres Associates, Will Cronin-Community, Natural Resource, Economic
Development Agent, Jerry Martell (9:45)-Modern Disposal and Fred Wegner-Resident.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 9:30 a.m. by Committee Chair Larry McTaggart at the Solid Waste
Administration Building, 20448 Junco Road, Town of Ridgeville.
1. PERIOD OF PUBLIC COMMENT
Comment was asked for at the end of the meeting and Fred stated that this committee sounds like the
County Board. More bids and more meetings on and on.
2. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Motion by Carol Las to approve the minutes of the May 17, 2011 meeting, seconded by Richard
Yarrington. All ayes, motion carried. .
3. CURRENT BILLS
Current bills are summarized as follows:
2011 Site II Cell 3
$
2011 Ridge II Operations
$ 301,899.34
2011 Recycling
$ 295.89
2011 Ridge I Closure / LTC
$ 3,423.64
2011 HHW Clean Sweep
$ 2,352.00
2011 Sand Creek
$ 2,940.77
2011 Credit Card Charges
$ 108.76
2011 Interdepartmental Transfers
$ 652.34
Discussion and questions about some of the vouchers especially the DNR for 220k were answered.
This is the 2010 Landfill Environmental Fees charged in 2011. Motion by Mike Luethe to approve the
bills as presented totaling $ 311,672.74, seconded by Carol Las. All ayes, motion carried.
4. DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS
a) Financial & Waste Volume Reports- There was general discussion about future Cell 4 and
remediation of Site I. There were 3000 tons of MSW hauled in May. Due to the late spring we have
had some slow and some busy days. We are not caught up with last year yet but are making
headway. Gail has started construction on the road and it is partially done. We received our
Recycling Grant check but because it was not deposited until June it does not show up on this
financial report, so our cash balance is about 280k. Things are very tight because of the DNR
payment but Gail thinks we may not have to go to the Facilities Reserve Fund. There is 461k in that
account. In 2010 our cash flow was better so more funds were available to be added. Tip fees were
discussed and that they may have to be raised to cover the DNR Expense each year. Gail does not
want to surprise any of the haulers so any decision about the tip fee should be done prior to budget
and not implemented until the following January so everyone is aware of the changes. Haulers need
advance notice so their contracts can be negotiated and municipalities need the information for their
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MINUTES of the June 14, 2011 Meeting of the Monroe County Solid
Waste Management Committee
own budgets. The transfer of funds to the Facility Reserve and the cost for the Gas project are two of
the reason for our tight budget but all of that can be explained.
b) Discussion & Action, Wood Recycling Project, Purchase of Magnetic Sorter / Bar Magnet- The
grinding project has never been finished but the pile has been added to, with more coming all the
time. We have to get a magnet to restart this project. Gail passed out a flyer showing the magnet and
a description. He has contacted the Winona River Barge Terminal and they use a 30” long 24” wide
bar magnet held about 12 to 14 inches above the belt. There is approximately 8-10 inches on the
belt. A stainless steel scraper pulls of anything stuck to magnet and drops it off. He asked if it would
work with wood and with height adjustment it should work fine. It weighs about 2 tons. Cost is about
$5500 and the stand about $1000. The stand would be adjustable. We would be able to do this
regularly about once a year to start. The DNR will work with us on a license. Mike doesn’t want this to
interfere with our compaction report and asked Erik if we could have a density study before the July
meeting. Erik said yes and would talk to the surveyors about a time to come down. Mike wants to see
the numbers from this report. Erik stated he would set it up for early July and results for the next
meeting. Mike questioned if this tonnage is separate from the landfill and wondered about the rental
costs from the county belt. That would be whatever the current state set fee is. Motion by Richard
Yarrington to approve purchase of industrial magnet and stand, not to exceed $7000.00, seconded
by Mike Luethe. All ayes, motion carried.
c) Discussion & Possible Action Office Roof Replacement- Gail is asking for approval to replace the
roof due to storm damage. Motion by Carol Las to put the roof repair out for bids for both metal and
shingles, seconded by Richard Yarrington. All ayes, motion carried.
d) Discussion & Possible Action on E & J Roofing Past Due Account of $786.00- After explanation of
how this debt occurred, Motion by Carol Las to write off this debt to clean up the books, seconded by
Richard Yarrington. All ayes, motion carried. Richard would like us to still try and collect if at all
possible. Suggestion of contacting the Sheriff and Human Services about the tax intercept program.
e) Discussion & Possible Action, Out of County Waste- No new requests. Juneau County is hauling
about 9k worth of material each month. We are hoping to get more. Richard questioned the status
with Adams County and we are ok with the purchase of landfill plastic liner.
5. LANDFILL OPERATIONS
a) General Activities / Leachate Report – We are caught up but costs are higher due to the increased
volume. Gail has spoken with Tomah about their disposal rates. They are higher than Sparta but
even Sparta’s keep going up. Richard questioned if we could use an evaporation pond. Erik
explained that leachate has high BOD’s and can produce algae and bacteria. It is also high in heavy
metal and BOC’s. That is what causes the rotten egg smell. It can’t be land spread. Leachate is
treated as hazardous waste here and at the treatment plant but there is no regulation between here
and there. Richard asked if it could go through a fermentation process and Erik explained about the
pre treatment process. Gail said the Vernon County is requesting a variance from the DNR for
wetland treatment. He would like to wait to see how that turns out.
b) Discussion & Action, Resolution Authorizing Disbursement from the SW Facilities Reserve Account
to Pay for 2010 DNR Landfill Environmental Fees- Originally Gail wanted to ask for 200k but now
feels that if we tighten our belts we can get through. The wording of the previous resolution was
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MINUTES of the June 14, 2011 Meeting of the Monroe County Solid
Waste Management Committee
brought out. When this all started fees were not so high and we did not have a bond payment. At
some point we will need to change how this is done. Richard suggested reducing the 200k to 50k to
use as a cushion if needed. Larry feels that some members won’t understand this and may believe
we are in trouble. Richard said that all factors come together at bond payment time and that the
timing of the transfer isn’t very well planned. Motion by Richard Yarrington to amend the resolution to
100k and add a clause to adjust the amount of the cash balance we are able to retain at the end of
the year, and bring back to next months meeting, seconded by Carol Las. All ayes, motion carried.
c) Review Baker Tilly Report- Items 5c, d, e, f and g are all inclusive and will all be handled together.
Carol talked about the City of Sparta Development Corp and questioned if that might be a C Corp.
We may be able to get some insight from them. In 2011 to date we have spent $127,899.00 on the
gas project. We owe it to our customers and the County Board to present this Baker Tilly
recommended public owned option report to them. Gail explained that in the resolution under the
second be it resolved that it can be self funded out of the general fund and if that is not alright we
could get a construction loan etc. He feels this would probably fail but it is in our best interest to bring
it forward. He also received an unsolicited bid from Kish and that they feel confident enough in the
project to make a lump sum payment up front of $332,399.00 to do the project. Kish was a bidder in
the past and included a public, private and combined bid. They feel if Gundersen Lutheran can make
an unsolicited bid, so can they. Gail suggests going to the Board recommending option b the lump
sum payment even though he feels option a is better. Richard also likes the a option and feels it is a
better deal for the county. The only consideration then is the rebuild. Gail thinks legally we shouldn’t
review or accept but let the County Board decide. The committee felt that the Gundersen Lutheran
bid can’t be allowed as it has not come through Solid Waste. There was some discussion about rules
in general. We need to have on the agenda to present the public option, the Baker Tilly report and
the unsolicited private bid from Kish. It is critical to present and vote on the public option. There was
discussion about the original Gundersen Lutheran proposal and that that plan has been readjusted.
There was also discussion about the operator maintenance and if at some point Gail were to retire
that the next manager might not be as knowledgeable in how the gas system works. Carol would like
an expert to come to County Board and explain how a C-Corp works and also asked if Kish would be
able to come. Yes they would be there. Larry questioned the County’s commitment to this project as
corporation counsel, the administrator, the finance committee or the auditor added anything or only
raised questions. Carol wants a resolution for the Kish bid to go to the board. Gail stated that with
Kish there is no cost to the county and on the 22nd needs a decision on the public option. We have
done our due diligence and if it doesn’t pass Kish can be up and running by year end and Gundersen
is 1½ years out. Larry doesn’t want to see this at the end of an agenda. Gail prefers a special
meeting and Carol agreed with that. Will Cronin asked the committee what the fascination is with the
Gundersen Lutheran option and Larry gave him a history of the whole project. Richard questioned an
economic loan fund and if we could tap that. Motion by Carol Las to set up a Special County Board
Meeting on June 29, 2011 to see all the proposals from Miron (Baker Tilly), Kish and Gundersen
Lutheran, seconded by Richard Yarrington. All ayes, motion carried. Discussion on whether anything
would be on the regular County Board meeting about this. Carol is concerned the whole board will
only see one bid. We need to get information out before the meeting so board members have a
chance to absorb it. We also need to identify who will come to the meeting to represent these bids.
Discussion also about whether Gundersen Lutheran should be included. Motion by Richard
Yarrington to amend the previous motion to include to proceed with a verbal request to the County
Board Chair with a petition under rule 17 as back up, seconded by Mike Luethe. All ayes, motion
carried.
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MINUTES of the June 14, 2011 Meeting of the Monroe County Solid
Waste Management Committee
d) Discussion & Action, Baker Tilly Engagement Letter for Phase II- see item 5c.
e) Discussion & Action, Landfill Gas to Energy Project Resolution- see item 5c.
f) Discussion & Action, Funding Options for Gas to Energy Project- see item 5c.
g) Discussion & Action, Gas to Energy Project Presentation to County Board on June 22nd- see item
5c.
h) Set Special Solid Waste Meeting to Review Cell IV Landfill Construction Materials Bids Possibly ½
Hour before County Board Meeting- We need to get together to open any bids. Erik will review them
when he gets back. Piping bids are due this Thursday and Drainage are due on the 21 st. It was
determined that a meeting would not be necessary as a decision can be made later; the bids merely
need to be opened. Larry questioned if the bidding process over all is being looked at and Carol
responded yes. Property and Purchasing encountered some issues in another department but if
there is any change to an ordinance it has to go to the full board.
6. RECYCLING PROGRAM
a) Transfer Facility Operation-Nothing new, running fine.
7. MANAGER’S REPORT
a) Department Updates- Gail would like the committee to retract our request for the County Pick-up. It is
causing far too many problems and he feels it isn’t worth all the trouble. Carol stated that
departments should be helping each other. We have an opportunity to have a National Magic
Recycling Show come and do some shows here. We will be working in conjunction with Taylor
County to get them to come here. The cost is $2500.00 for six shows done in the elementary schools
K-5 and can handle 300-350 kids per show. Next year we would be spending 10k on radio
advertising and Gail would like to see that money go into something like this. There was general
discussion about our recycling budget and how we can work with the reduction in grant money. Also
Larry would like us to contact the parochial schools to see if they are interested and possible include
them.
SET NEXT MEETING DATE
The next meeting of the Solid Waste Committee will be Monday, July 18, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. at the Solid
Waste Administration Building, 20448 Junco Road, Town of Ridgeville, Monroe County Wisconsin.
MEETING ADJOURNED
Motion by Mike Luethe seconded by Carol Las to adjourn at 12:20 p.m. All ayes, motion carried.
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