2015-07-28_PWETC_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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P -T 263 Mr. Wozniak advised that the intent would be to build a recycling facility at 264 Newport to sort materials and organics and then evaluate the need for more 265 extensive equipment, its logic and financing as creating a market for recyclables 266 versus the cost of getting rid of those materials, and ultimately reducing overall 267 costs. Mr. Wozniak noted the guiding principles included a plan for the next 20-30 268 years, building on the current system, while allowing changes to emerge over time 269 by assuring flexibility, managing risks, and revising the viewpoint from "waste," 270 to "resources." 271 272 Discussion included capacity issues at the local, Minneapolis burner; Minnesota 273 Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requirements; mixed waste process (MWP); 274 and the benefits and reduced costs if everyone recycled and sorted materials at their 275 source (e.g. residence or business) ratheran additional handling at a facility. 276 277 Regarding current organic recycling efforts, Mr. Wozniak�loted Ramsey County's 278 intent to make money available to cities in Ramsey County to expand their organics 279 programs; and current lack of a Roseville yard waste site and ability to accept 280 organics, with the closest site located in Arden Hills and their opting out of organic 281 collections. "011j�llllll 282 283 Member Cihacek clarifiVt%dk�es of the ential rebates to haulers to the 284 Newport facility if operated publically versus privately eliminating the current 285 subsidy paid trash vendors to use that site but addressing the higher cost of 286 processing waste at Newport versus landfilling it. Member Cihacek noted, if the 287 County took over ownership, they could dictate costs and require all haulers to use 288 that facility, allowing the potential creation of secondary markets for materials; and 289 noting current profit margins at the New ort Resource Recovery Technologies 290(RRT) facility as a private entity. 291 292 #At the request Member Seigler, Mr. Wozniak stated that the RRT was not really 293 interested in selling the facility, but Ramsey and Washington Counties have 294 expressed an interest in purchasing the facility, and hold the right -of -first -refusal to 295 purchase it, with a purchase prices negotiated and arbitrated, with an additional cost 296 for upgrades still being negotiated for the thirty-year old facility. By purchasing 297 the facility, Iiin Wozniak noted the Counties would have more flexibility in 298 materials received and how they're process, more predictable costs with no subsidy 299 required due to a lack of competition with area landfills, and hopes to divert more 300 trash from landfills into recycling or energy production. 301 302 Mr. Wozniak advised he would keep the PWETC updated as the negotiations 303 continued until the August 27, 2015 Project Board meeting. 304 305 Chair Stenlund referenced a recent Minneapolis Star/Tribune newspaper article 306 addressing the difficult markets for recyclables at this time due to the China market. 307 Chair Stenlund noted this may be important as the PWETC looks to update their Page 7 of 16