07-20-2005 CSMCREEK SIDE SOILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
July 20, 2005, 4:15 p.m.
Call to Order: 4:15 p.m.
Members Present: Bill Arndt, Gary Plotz, Duane Hoversten, Doug Johnson, Randy
DeVries, Casey Stotts and Steve Madson
MembersAbsent: Marian Filk and Brandon Fraser
Others Present: Ken Merrill and Mayor Steve Cook
A conference call was held with Cameron Rucks, contracted Inventory Accountant for
Creekside.
Mr. Rucks updated the committee on his activity thus far at Creekside, which has only
consisted of a few days. He has become oriented with the compost facility, becoming
familiar with the facility itself, researching historical financial data, etc. He has also had
an opportunity to observe the daily operations of the facility, from intake of the product
to final sales.
Mr. Rucks noted that the current software limits somewhat the data collection of a job
work order, to which labor and overhead need to be applied. Currently raw material and
finished goods are inventoried, but the missing piece consists in the Work In Progress. A
new manufacturing software is being acquired and put in place in a few weeks which will
aid in this missing data collection. Mr. Rucks noted that he feels the inventory on hand
as of December 31`t was understated due to these missing collection practices.
Mr. Rucks also commented on the bagging operation, of which he feels may have some
training issues, as it took approximately 1700 bags to complete a 1300 bag job. He noted
that the manufacturer of the machine was able to nun through many more bags as
compared to what was actually produced on site.
Mr. Rucks stated this plan is to follow an order from intake through final delivery and
track what the system needs for inventory. He noted that conversion factors need to be
worked on as well as determining if there is any scientific support for the conversion
factor of composted material. In addition, freight issues need to be addressed.
The issue of acquiring concrete financial numbers without the new manufacturing
software was raised. Mr. Rucks stated that the information can be tracked manually for
now, and good estimates may be able to be used for the first half of the year.
The conference call then ended.
Steve Madson commented briefly that the sales volume is somewhat lower than was
projected due to the inclement spring. In addition, there are some questions as to whether
or not a large contract with United Hardware will be entered into.
The committee then adjourned at 4:35 p.m. and went to the compost facility to see a
demonstration of a debagging machine that is intended for use for the Minneapolis
contract. This machine is bigger and more efficient than what the facility was previously
using.