Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board 8-29-1983ST. CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Monday, August 29, 1983 7:00 p.m. Compiled by Norman E. Anderson, Chairman CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL: CONSIDERATION--OF--MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS: Reading of Rule 20 - Debate, and Rule 22 o Address the Board Welcome to all Guests and Press Any appointments Date of next session: September 13, 1983 OLD AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Report on Resource Recovery/Landfills 7:30 p.m. Resolution regarding Feasibility study New Business: Correspondence Announcements — Adjournment This meeting will be held in the Phipps Center Auditorium, First and Locust Streets, Hudson, Wisconsin. ST_ CROIX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Special Session Monday, August 29, 1983 7:00 P.M. County Board of Supervisors called to order by Chairman Anderson. Roll Call by County Clerk: 29 present, 2 absent. Motion by Supr. Stephens, 2nd by Supr. George to move into agenda of planned session, and disregard formalities. Motion carried. RESOLUTION, First Reading #1: pertains to directing the county planning and zoning committee to proceed on a feasibility study of energy/resource recovery. Discussion. Chairman Anderson referred to committee; and, to receive further action at the September Regular Session. Meeting recessed at 7:20 until 7:30 for the scheduled report on Resource Recovery/ Landfii I Is. ANNOUNCEMENTS. OLD BUSINESS Chairman reconvened meeting at 7:30 P.M. Welcome to all guests from St. Croix County, and other visiting counties, and legislators. He announced that the purpose of the meeting is to acquaint citizens with the solid waste situation in St. Croix County, and to present the recommendations of the Comprehensive Planning, Zoning, and Parks Committee. Introduction of committee members: Ben George, Chairman, Art Best, Vern Kelly, Richard Peterson, and, Tom Dorsey. Supr. George presented the alternatives available to date for solid waste: 1)Landfill 2)Composting 3) Waste to Energy 4)the back "40." The committee developed an extensive slide presentation of each alternative. Landfills from around the county were discussed, ,including -an. operational landfill in Marathon County, which cost the county approximately one million dollars to operate last fiscal year. The committee reported on their observation of composting, utilized in Madisonville, Kentucky. Considering that this method is unique to the reclaiming of strip mining areas in Kentucky, the committee felt that this was not appropriate for Western Wisconsin. A tour of the site in Ames, Iowa was source separation, and is reported as the first waste to energy site in the United States. Jim Janke, Resource Agent presented the incineration plant being utilized in Red Wing, Minnesota. This method produces steam which is sold to a business within the city. The cost to Red Wing was two and a quarter million dollars in 1981. The committee also toured the site at St_ John's College, another incinerator plant, which is no longer operational due to state mandate. The committee and other designated county employees toured a site in Gallatin, Tennessee which uses the O'Connor Combustor. Supervisor Stephens presented a lengthy series of slides to the members and guests. The O'Connor System was built in 1975, and is connected to a local industry, which utilizes the high pressure steam produced by the combustor. Committee Chairman George recommended to the board members that the O'Connor Combustor be considered for implementation in St. Croix County. He cited the following reasons to justify their recommendation: 1} the life expectancy of the boilers is 20-25 years, and retro-fitting is possible, 2) the use of high pressure steam for energy, with no additional need for fossil fuels once the initial fire is going, 3) the steam is then piped to respective plants 4) a rough estimate of $10.00 per ton tipping fee. He further indicated that preliminary study has been done to locate sources for the use of the steam. Friday Canning of New Richmond indicated that their industry can utilize steam for 52 -6 months of the year. The St. Croix Health Center can also use a portion of the steam. Considering that the use of Friday Canning and the Health Center would not use the full consumption of the steam, co -generation, using steam to produce electricity is a viable prospect. County Resource Agent, Jim Janke has conducted preliminary studies with Northern States Power Company. COUNTY BOARD -August 29, 1983 Page-2 Committee Chairman George proposed that this waste to energy incinerator system would cost approximately ten million dollars, with a pay off in approxi- mately ten years. This incineration method will require the use of a landfill for disposal of the ash and demolition material. Supr. Stephens reported that he has negotiated with the City of New Richmond for the purchase of an exist- ing landfill in the New Richmond area. This landfill would have to go through a siting procedure in order to qualify for Department of Natural Resources criteria. Questions from the floor were addressed at this time. Supr. O'Connell questioned Friday Canning Company's firm committment to this project. Supr. George com- mented that Friday Canning is tentatively considering a 20-year contract with the county. He also pointed out that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recom- mends that a waste to energy/incinerator type system is the appropriate alternative, and that landfilling is not the answer. A joint county venture is also being strong- ly recommended by the Committee. Polk and Pierce Counties are being considered. Supr. O'Keefe introduced Phil McConville, representative of the Hudson Area Recycling Inc. (H.A.R.). Mr. McConville asked that the board consider the social issue of the trash syndrome. H.A.R. is a non-profit corporation committed to the concept that the recycling of glass, aluminum, paper, etc. into component parts is essential to any solid waste system. He questioned the high technological approach being recommended, and asked the board to consider the importance of recycling and the cost factor of this element. Supervisor George proposed to Mr. McConville that recycling is being considered as part of the total operation. Question of landfills currently being utilized in St. Croix County, and especially a landfill in the Hudson Township. Supr. Evjen reported that the residents of that area do not wish for the site to be increased in size. Jim Junker of Junker Sani- tation Services reminded the :board that this would be a very costly operation. He challenged the projected figure of ten dollars per ton of waste, indicating that, the actual hauling of the refuse would be an expense over and above this projection. Supr. George commented that the purpose of the proposed, feasibility study would establish the fee. He responded to a question regarding time con straints, indicating that the committee proposes to have the study completed by January 1, 1984. Representative from Pierce County asked Mr. Junker's opinion concerning the cost aspect per county and his anticipated role with a waste to energy recovery system. He indicated that the cost estimates were too low, especially, considering that the cost for hauling the refuse was not entered into the figure. Another individual insisted that the committee give due consideration to the hauling costs as part of the "equation." He asked that the other counties, namely Pierce and Polk be given specific information regarding time constraints, the cost per county including the total fee and not just the flipping fee for each ton of refuse hauled to the selected site. An individual, expert in matters of the Environmental Protection Agency asked that the committee the matter of cost to the citizens of the respective counties, and suggested that a private vs, publi/c concern be considered to own and operate the proposed system. He also questioned the site being considered near New Richmond, for dumping of ash and other materials, and its approval by the DNR if the wastes are hazardous. Debate by Supra George of the content of the ash and other refuse, indicating that his study states that this material is not hazardous waste. The final determination to be made by the DNR as to the content of the waste. The; Mayor of Amery, ,Polk County complimented the committee for their efforts, and the proposed interest in an incinerator type system. He further indicated that the DNR is advising that no landfills be used, as utilized in the past. Supr. George praised t;he members of his .committee, including the efforts -of Harold Barber, Jim Janke, Tom Nelson, Dick Thompson and Bob Stephens for their dedication and time given to this study. Applause followed from those attending the meeting. Supr. Draxler encouraged the recycling efforts of individuals in the counties, and asked that this project be respected in a positive manner. Supr. George thanked all those who attended the meeting. Chairman Anderson called for adjournment of the meeting. Motion by Supr. Nelson, 2nd by Supr. O'Keefe to adjourn. Motion carried. Norman Anderson, Chairman Respectfully submitted, County Board Jill Ann Berke County Clerk