03-21-2007 CSMCREEKSIDE SOILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
March 21, 2007, 4:21 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER: 4:21 p.m.
Members Present: Doug Johnson, Bill Arndt, Robert Anderson, Marian
Filk, Sarah Young, Sara Witte, Nathan Winter, Jeremy Carter, Sharon
Artmann
Member Absent:
Others:
1. Recycling and Composting at various activities —Sara Witte, Sarah
Young
Sara Witte was contacted by Sarah Young to get composting and
recycling throughout the community, and at the fairgrounds. Sarah
commented that it would be good for educational and promotional
purposes. They would do metal cans, plastic bottles and there
would be large cardboard boxes for vendors to use. Bill Arndt
approved about large ones. Sarah commented about collapsible
boxes, they would be able to loan boxes free of charge as long as
they would bring in the recyclables.
Sarah commented that the fairgrounds would be a good start, along
with music in the park, and the craft sale. The Fairgrounds would
be the kickoff to the recycling. Sarah and Sara asked if Creekside
would take the material and help.
Bill Arndt commented that Nathan Winters is in charge of Daily
Days and that would also be a good way to promote the recycling.
Sarah commented that she did not lalow the quantity they would
get out of the recycling.
Doug Johnson asked how far they wanted to go into the compost?
And if it was just food waste there would be no problem at the
compost. That would entail milk cartons, paper, etc., but they may
run into a problem of capacity. Hindering permit amounts.
Bill Arndt commented that with school being out that should make
a difference.
Doug Johnson commented that it would not make a difference
because they do not get anything from the schools.
Marian Filk commented about limiting the food waste to 4H and
Country Diner, then limit what is put in.
Sarah commented on how to educate.
Marian Filk commented that there is not a lot of cans and
cardboard. Also, those buildings would have milk cartons to go
into food waste.
Doug Johnson commented that the milk cartons would be an issue
because they are surrounded in plastic. He said they could do it
but in the end it would end up in the land fill. Food waste / napkins
smaller quantity of waste are separate.
Doug Johnson asked about how they would do the pick -up. They
could pick it up before residential in 90 gallon drums, and mix it
with the residential waste.
Sarah Young, and Sara Witte commented that they would not
laiow the tonnage if they mixed the waste with residential.
Doug Johnson commented they could keep track of containers they
picked up from the 4H and Country Diner.
Sarah Young commented that there might be an issue with the
weekends because Creekside is not open. Sarah said they could
keep the material in her facility. Doug Johnson said he would make
arrangements if the City Council would support it.
Sarah Young, Sara Witte and Doug Johnson will be putting
something together to go to the City Council on May 22, 2007.
Sarah Young and Sara Witte will bet Doub the information by May
15, 2007.
2. Strategic Planning updates Doug Johnson
Doug Johnson commented that they talked about the Creekside
Mission Statement, and the good /bad and what needs to be
improved. They put timelines together.
Doug Johnson commented that the public relations will come to
the committee. The committee will be in charge of making sure
that Doub Johnson stays on top of the goals. Doug Johnson
commented that he got a print out from Duane Hoversten.
Robert Anderson asked what types of subjects were on the sheet.
Doub Johnson commented that they included becoming customer
focused, brainstorming, big box markets, and customer feedback.
Jeremy Carter commented that it could take over a year and then
they will continue to refine. Duane Hoversten has done a good job
with soil analysis, and what their strengths, wealalesses and threats
are. Who are there competitors? What is Creekside lacking?
Creekside's product is superior, is there a way to produce a less
quality product? Are we capturing all costs to cover the price of
our product? Marketing our product to other areas, and are we
doing it in the right manner? Upside to increase sales into new
areas. PR- educate locally and out further to capture other markets.
Customer focus -are we providing too hood of a product, and
customers are not willing to pay that much.
Doug Johnson commented on Jeff Meeham & Associates. They
feel our wealaiess is one -on -one. Have sales people do not make
contact. Doug has direct feedback wants to lalow when the shows
are. On Mother's Day Doug will be getting direct feedback from
the end users. Between now and June Doug will be attending
shows to bet feedback from the end users and then hive that
feedback to the board
Jeremy Carter commented about focusing on certain strategies,
eveiything focus' back on the Mission Statement. Does it fit with
the Mission Statement? That decides whether you take those
opportunities. Stream line manufacturing to reduce cost and
increase sales.
Doug Johnson commented about getting together in June to have
initial blast of information. The Committee will end up in one
meeting.
Robert Anderson commented about what goals and purpose differ
from this committee.
Doug Johnson commented that the goals are the same.
Robert Anderson commented, last fall he thought painted a tough
picture for sales, how to cut costs. Minneapolis up drastically.
Doug Johnson commented, the contract would be on our terms not
Minneapolis terms.
Bill Arndt commented, last time negotiated by Marlin Torgerson,
former Mayor.
Jeremy Carter commented what is it costing?
Bob Anderson commented, frill sales, labor costs.
Doug Johnson commented, five years, no way out of the contract,
attorney tried to redo it but the contract was iron -clad, it was
written for Minneapolis. If fuel cost would have stayed the same it
would have been profitable.
Doug Johnson commented on re- bidding on Minneapolis but on
our terms.
Bill Arndt- Need flexibility
Doug Johnson commented that it would be a team agreement,
learned a lot.
Bill Arndt asked about the cost increase to bag.
Doug Johnson commented, September 1- December all debagged
January 10111 cost $245,000 just to get rid of the bags, will not take
it anymore. Would have to spend money to get a washer and dryer
but it does not pay at $0.10 a pound.
Bob Anderson commented about how are bagging cost working
out?
Dough Johnson commented that the cost in moving around, and
training is what expected, coming in line.
Bill Arndt commented. too good a quality - sampling from other
woodchips.
Doug Johnson commented four pounds of colorant /woodchips,
Veteran's Park has held since the first time it was done. The
customer knows that it is good, look at what can do.
Bob Anderson asked about Sales? Comparable?
Doug Johnson commented, behind 20,000 - change made purchase
orders, custom bagging for them, only have a certain product bag.
Next quarter what to sell? Pottage soil, manure, numbers served.
Spring- fantastic, May comes to re- order, it got dry and decreased,
Boclanan's 50% because of that reclaimed 99.9% customers in
2006 Limited Hardware, Linder's, Bocl�Allan's came at cheaper
price and quality and service retained them.
Jeremy Carter commented that the product if it is superior, pay a
little more, but not much more.
Doug Johnson commented that salesman will probe about prices,
where does he pull out? Country Store -large rock company- bagged
decorative rock, soil product, mulch, we have twice as much.
Bill Arndt commented about local people having a demonstration
about what it is, what we are doing with their money.
Doub Johnson commented that this committee is trying to come up
with ways to bet city residence and McLeod County to see what
we can do.
Marian Filk commented about putting Doug down for a booth at
the McLeod County Fair.
Doug Johnson commented about not selling, for exposure, what to
do to get the point across. People ask why don't we sell the product
on site? He would love to, but can't afford liability.
Marian Filk commented about an off -site store.
Jeremy Carter commented about companies selling it on their sites,
what is holding them back from selling a local product at their
store?
Doug Johnson commented that one store had a financial burden,
and could not continue.
Bill Arndt- Cenex?
Doub Johnson commented that they tried to, but they brought half
back, not worth their time, and people ripped it off.
Bob Anderson commented about selling it at City Hall.
3. Creating local Public Relations Plan
Bill Arndt commented about the Garden Show, should have had a
display to emphasize what is going on.
Doug Johnson commented that Tom not there.
Robert Anderson commented that the Fire department gets a booth.
Doug Johnson commented that Tom did not go.
4. Miscellaneous
Nathan Winters - McLeod /Meeker, works with farmers /horticulture,
party master gardens in two counties. Compost soils main
component to good products. He came to learn about compost, he
has a passion for growing things, enjoy teaching about it, and the
importance of soil, anything he can bring to the group he will,
wants to talk about what is good compost? What is a high product?
How is it broken down?
Dough Johnson commented about going out in County Fair, take
planting, immature, dead tree, six months good, 10 months 6ft
high.
Doug Johnson asked Nathan Winters to give him an idea of what
he wanted for test product, prepared to help anyway he can, hear
what compost does for farmland, got pictures.
Nathan Winter asked if Doug Johnson pulled samples.
Bill Arndt commented that it was dust soils.
Doug Johnson commented that it was sand.
Nathan Winters asked if there were pictures, or numbers.
Bill Arndt commented about giving samples to Nathan Winters.
Nathan Winters commented that people don't have a good grasp on
it, if you can make more money with a lower quality, good, but if
superior quality is still making money isn't that good?
Marian Filk commented about Questionnaires, what looking for
and baseline numbers.
Doug Johnson commented that he has 300 pages of tests, and what
is in it, 503 regulations iron /metals /salts.
Bill Arndt asked if Nathan Winters would be willing to be on
committee.
Winter commented, Yes, but that he is also on a lot of committees.
Doug Johnson told Nathan Winters to do it.
Nathan Winters commented about lawns, put compost across lawn
instead of fertilizer.
Doug Johnson commented about the Golf Course, and how it cut
herbicides by 1 /2.
Robert Anderson, commended Creekside on operations. Odor went
down, noise went down, and to keep up the good work, grinding in
house operations?
Doug Johnson commented, contracting coloring, 8 -6 then out of
there, winds blowing stop.
Dough Johnson commented about the trees he ordered. The cost is
$110.00 to order 50 trees hypid popil sticks. Orange fence will be
gone if you give him time.
Bill Arndt asked it Creekside was losing any more wood.
Robert Anderson - motion to adjourn.
Marian Filk- second.
Adjourn at 5:30 p.m.