04-19-2006 CSMCREEK SIDE SOILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
April 19, 2006, 4:15 p.m.
Approval of Minutes from February 15, 2006
Motion by Filk, second by Anderson to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried
unanimously.
2. Local Landscapers' Agreements
Doug Johnson reported that he has met with Tom Prieve of Prieve Landscaping and Mitch
Fabel of Crow River Landscape regarding them selling Creekside product. Prieve has
committed to selling Creekside product and Fable has yet to respond. Johnson distributed a
landscape agreement that will be entered into with any landscapers that sell Creekside product.
This agreement covers the price of the product, delivery and billing. Not only will the
landscapers carry bulk product, but bagged product as well. The Creekside "Customer
Appreciation Day" at the landscape facilities has been tentatively set for May 13, 2006, from
8:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.
Casey Stotts suggested contacting the Leader to see if they will do a story about the event. He
also suggested spreading the word that the prices at the landscape facilities are the same as if
the product would be sold directly from the Creekside facility.
Johnson mentioned that the only product that has direct sales at Creekside is bit -con.
Anderson suggested selling logs at the facility. Gary Plotz noted that this discussion is being
held at the county level. Plotz further noted that the City's grinder can only take smaller -sized
logs and not the large size (over 18 "). Plotz has suggested to the county to take the larger logs
to pallet manufacturers who have the proper equipment to process them. Fraser asked if there
is a market for unground logs. Plotz stated that this has been looked at before but it is very
difficult to differentiate between "good" logs and "bad" logs. Johnson mentioned that
occasionally the Park Department will store large saw logs that they eventually sell.
Motion by DeVries, second by Filk to approve landscapers agreement. Motion carried
unanimously.
3. On -Site Minneapolis Residuals
Johnson reported that the City Council approved Creekside entering into an agreement with
RW Farms for accepting residuals from the Minneapolis contract. This arrangement will cost
less than hauling the material to the landfill. Additionally, Creekside is able to haul back a
composted product on the return haul. All of the product from the Minneapolis contract
between April 1 and September will be hauled to RW Farms. Hopefully by mid- Summer all
of this product will be hauled off of the Creekside site.
4. On -Site Screening
Johnson reported that RW Farms has proposed to come on -site to aid in screening at a price of
$1.65 /yard. This is the same cost that Creekside would have incurred with the addition of
another screener. RW Farms has been instructed that hours of operations are 7:00 a.m. — 10:00
p.m. Monday - Friday and 8:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Approximately 70,000 yards of
product have to be screened. Anderson raised concerns about the backup beeper on RW Farms
trucks. Johnson will speak with them regarding these concerns.
Lease Purchase of Trommel screener
Johnson reported that the City Council approved a lease to purchase agreement for a trommel
screener for the facility. This piece of equipment can be used year -round and is much more
cost effective to purchase as oppose to rent as Creekside has been doing. Creekside had been
spending about $100,000 /year on two screeners and this one screener can accomplish the work
of two with a cost of about $50,000 /year.
6. Current Grinding Situation
Johnson reported that recently one of the grinders caught on fire. The grinder was not
destroyed but will take some time to repair. As a result, product has been piling up. The plan
is to start grinding about two hours a day next Monday to catch up as inventory is depleted of
colored mulch.
Financials
Ken Merrill, Finance Director, distributed an unaudited year -end financial report for
Creekside. Mr. Merrill reviewed a balance sheet and financial statement for 2005. Under
Refuse- Recycle, Creekside is showing a net income (loss) of ($69,888.00) for 2005. Under
Compost, Creekside is showing a net income (loss) of ($278,001.35). Depreciation is included
in both of these reports. Hence, Refuse- Recycle has a positive cash flow of approximately
$80,000 and Compost was very close to a break -even point. Mr. Merrill also reported that bag
production is up from last year, as well as bag sales. A point of significance is that labor costs
were reduced significantly. Brandon Fraser suggested tracking labor hours per bag. Johnson
stated that with the new software, this should be accessible.
Creekside Fact Sheet Draft
Doug Johnson distributed a draft of fact sheet that Creekside may have available for
customers. He asked that the Board review and provide him any suggestions for revisions.
9. Site Clean -Up
Doug Johnson reported that clean up of the facility is a priority for this year. Johnson noted
that students will be working at the facility this summer and their focus will be to clean the
facility, such as picking up material. Steve Cook suggested providing an added incentive to
the students to get the facility cleaned up faster.
10. Site Berm
Johnson reported that another berm could be constructed with material received at the site,
however this will take 2 -3 years. This would be in replacement of planting trees that would
take longer than the 2 -3 years. This berm would be built near the evergreen trees that were
planted this year, ruining from the road to the river. The berm is intended to be built 10 -12
feet high. However, the Planning Commission and the DNR will be part of this process. This
project will mainly affect the neighborhood so Robert Anderson will discuss this with the
neighbors before any action is taken.
Steve Cook suggested planting fast growing trees on top of the berm and also building an
additional berm on the north end near the Cenex plant.
11. Odor Management —Local School
Steve Cook stated that there is a consultant that analyzes data that is collected to measure odor.
Cook also suggested utilizing a science class to work on this project. Johnson will look into
thi s.
12. Trip to Space Ridge ( ?)
Anderson reported that he has been out to Space Ridge and it looks very good. Johnson
stated that the material contained on the site is covered with tarps. After the next meeting, the
Board will take a trip to Space Ridge. Anderson suggested holding the next meeting at
Creekside.
Anderson asked if the new software is doing what it was intended for. Johnson stated that
Creekside has not committed to purchasing it yet, but it will be ruining parallel to the current
system. Some tweaking needs to be completed for the two to be compared.
Motion by Anderson, second by DeVries to adjourn at 5:40 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.