|
|
Solid waste commission could end in five yearsBy Danielle Strenke The five-county commission, along with Arthur Township board representatives, met with Phil Kowalski of Envirogen Monday in Mora. Envirogen has been hired by the ECSWC to assist the organization in planning for its future. Kowalski outlined six tasks which will be completed throughout the year-and-a-half long process. It includes phases such as developing cost profiles for each of the commissionís facilities, assessments on competing facilities, interviewing stakeholders, identifying possible partnership opportunities, and presenting its findings in a strategic plan report. The firm will spend much of this week in meetings with local and county officials and public entities as a starting point. ECSWC executive director Allen Bonini said these meetings will be the framework for where the strategic planning will go from here. ìWe want to get a sense of where the focus should be,î he said. ìThe first step is for them to offer their opinion of the ECSWC. Thereís no point in going down a particular path without political support.î Each of the five county commissioners who sit on the board were asked to pinpoint their most important goals for the strategic planning process. Several commissioners cited economic development as their top priority. Isanti County Commissioner George Larson said it was time for some concrete solutions. ìI would like some meat and potatoes instead of a philosophy,î he said. ìWhat uses can we find for this facility. I would think we could actually make some money instead of being a burden to the counties.î The original bonds issued for the ECSWC will be paid off in 2007, the same year that the charter for the organization is due to sunset. The five counties ñ Chisago, Mille Lacs, Isanti, Kanabec and Pine ñ will have to decide what direction the commission and its facilities should go after 2007. Kowalski asked the commissioners for their views on the joint cooperative. ìIíd say unless something really bright comes up, letís sunset it as a landfill,î Kanabec County Commissioner Dennis McNally said. ìMaybe keep it as a transfer station.î Mille Lacs County Commissioner Paul Reiman felt it was important to look at keeping the landfill open. ìWeíd still be required to provide waste disposal to our residents after 2007,î he said. Chisago County Commissioner Bob Vande Kamp, who was at the meeting as an alternate for Commissioner Bob Gustafson, was cautious about making a decision too soon. ìIím interested to see what comes out of this,î he said. ìIím not in favor of saying it should all be just landfilled, but weíre having a greater need for that facility with the growth in the area.î Pine County Commissioner Alan Hancock agreed that the landfill facility should remain open after 2007. Larson said he also wants to see where the strategic plan takes the commission. ìIn reality, this commission has been a pain in the rear for Isanti County since the start,î he said. None of the board wanted to make the decision yet whether the commission should dissolve at that time. Arthur Township board members had more specific concerns regarding the Mora facilities, which sit in the township. They asked that a post-closure site plan be considered, finding a use for the land once its life as a landfill has expired in 40 years. They also hoped that composting would be found as a viable option at the Mora facility. Envirogen will reporting back to Bonini and the board frequently throughout the strategic planning process. It will also conduct at least one more week of interviews and meetings during that time. ©ECM Post Review |