2015-06-23_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Wozniak advised that the intent would be to build a recycling facility at Newport to sort materials and organics and then evaluate the need for more extensive equipment, its logic and financing as creating a market for recyclables versus the cost of getting rid of those materials, and ultimately reducing overall costs. Mr. Wozniak noted the guiding principles included a plan for the next 20-30 years, building on the current system, while allowing changes to emerge over time by assuring flexibility, managing risks, and revising the viewpoint from "waste," to "resources." Discussion included capacity issues at the local, Minneapolis burner; Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requirements; mixed waste process (MWP); and the benefits and reduced costs if everyone recycled and sorted materials at their source (e.g. residence or business) rather than additional handling at afacility. Regarding current organic recycling efforts, Mr. Wozniak noted Ramsey County's intent to make money available to cities in Ramsey County to expand their organics programs; and current lack of a Roseville yard waste site and ability to accept organics, with the closest site located in Arden Hills and their opting out of organic collections. Member Cihacek clarified the advantages of the potential rebates to haulers to the Newport facility if operated publically versus privately eliminating the current subsidy paid trash vendors to use that site but addressing the higher cost of processing waste at Newport versus landfilling it. Member Cihacek noted, if the County took over ownership, they could dictate costs and require all haulers to use that facility, allowing the potential creation of secondary markets for materials; and noting current profit margins at the Newport Resource Recovery Technologies (RRT) facility as a private entity. At the request of Member Seigler, Mr. Wozniak stated that the RRT was not really interested in selling the facility, but Ramsey and Washington Counties have expressed an interest in purchasing the facility, and hold the right -of -first -refusal to purchase it, with a purchase prices negotiated and arbitrated, with an additional cost for upgrades still being negotiated for the thirty-year old facility. By purchasing the facility, Mr. Wozniak noted the Counties would have more flexibility in materials received and how they're process, more predictable costs with no subsidy required due to the potential authority to direct trash from landfills into recycling or energy production. Mr. Wozniak advised he would keep the PWETC updated as the negotiations continued until the August 27, 2015 Project Board meeting. Chair Stenlund referenced a recent Minneapolis Star/Tribune newspaper article addressing the difficult markets for recyclables at this time due to the China market. Chair Stenlund noted this may be important as the PWETC looks to update their Page 7 of 16