02-14-01 Minutes
CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
February 14, 2001
Meeting called to order by Dotti Shay at 7:15 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Jack Atkins, Sharon Beduhn, Dotti Shay, Clay Smith, Susan
McAllister
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Jo Mueller, Peder Otterson
STAFF PRESENT:
Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist, Lori Haak, Water
Resources Coordinator
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes from the January 10 meeting were approved.
GUEST SPEAKER:
Marcus Zbinden, Carver County Environmental Services, presented
information about solid waste management in Carver County and specifically in Chanhassen. He
began by giving a brief history of solid waste issues in the county. In 1987, the county began
researching partnerships for building a resource recovery facility. In 1989, land for the facility
was purchased. At that time all county waste was being landfilled in Shakopee. In 1990, the
county organized recycling drop-off locations in Chaska, NYA and Waconia. In 1991, plans for a
composting facility were dropped because of legal issues. The first household hazardous waste
(HHW) collection was held. 556 households participated at a county cost of approximately $100
per household. (Today that number is about $50/household) In 1992, a recycling facility was
built in NYA and a mobile HHW unit began visiting various sites around the county. In 1993,
RFPs for a transfer station were sent out. The proposals were all too expensive so in 1994 an
increase in taxes funded a hauler subsidy for taking waste to a processing facility. The extra
revenue also funded solid waste grants for cities and townships and clean-up costs. In 1995, the
county started an education initiative for residents about solid waste processing. The highest
levels of processing were reached in 1996. Solid waste was being taken to four different
processing sites. Then in 1997, three of those sites closed and processing rates plummeted. Field
of Dreams recycling Center opened on July 1 of that year to replace the NYA facility. By 1998,
HERC was the only processing facility accepting solid waste from Carver County. Also that year
SKB Environmental opened a composting facility in Dakota County. In 1999, the Carver County
Solid Waste Management Plan was completed. The next year, 2000, the county passed
resolutions that all construction and tree waste from county projects by recycled or processed, not
landfilled. The county also approved the construction of a new permanent HHW facility to be
located in Chaska.
Current issues include the reduction or elimination by haulers of taking waste to processing
plants. Only Chaska Sanitation does that now; both BFI and Waste Management have eliminated
that option for their customers. Commercial recycling reports have only included newspaper and
cardboard, no glass or plastics are being reported and that concerns the county. And finally,
landfilling continues to be cheap; it’s only $14 per ton to take it to Iowa landfills compared to
$45/ton to process it at the HERC facility in Minneapolis.
Dotti said it would be good to try to compost more within the city and avoid sending so much
waste to Iowa. Eventually the city and state will be responsible for the clean-up costs.
It was noted that Commissioner Ortman, a Chanhassen resident, had voted against the resolution
concerning the recycling or processing of construction waste and against processing municipal
solid waste. She also voted against giving Chanhassen any of the surplus 2000 solid waste grant
funds. In 2000, Chanhassen was awarded approximately $9,000. We spent $14,000 on
programs. The county offered to split any surplus funds between the local agencies that surpassed
their funding and Commissioner Ortman voted against this action. The commission agreed that
letters or phone calls to the Commissioner would be a good idea in order to educate her on how
the money is spent and why it is needed.
Dotti stated that she would like to see how each hauler handles its waste. She would also be
interested in finding out how much each hauler charges.
Marcus said that the Chan Villager will be doing a series on the quality of life in Chanhassen and
that he’ll be contributing an article for the series on solid waste management within the city and
county.
Sharon asked why recycling fees are listed on her hauler’s bill if they’re not supposed to be
charged? Marcus said the county is aware of that and something will be done about it this year.
He also suggested starting with the elected officials of Chanhassen in order to get their support
and interest for these issues.
ARBOR DAY 2001:
The Commission decided Animal Productions would present scheduled
programs again this year. There will be a theme for the Arbor Day poster contest, “Trees are
Terrific…..and Forests are too!” Commissioners would like to inquire about Carver Park being a
presenter as well as the Arboretum.
2001 CALENDAR:
The Commission finished the calendar. It will be revised and prepared for
presentation to the City Council at the joint meeting.
JOINT MEETING:
The Commission will present its accomplishments for 2000, its work plan
for 2001 and environmental issue priorities to the council.
GENERAL DISCUSSION:
Shaorn and Dotti suggested enlisting more volunteers from
businesses for the Bluff Creek planting. Jill said it was too late this year to expand the project
substantially, but it could be done for next year.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Prepared and Submitted by Jill Sinclair
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