04-06-2011 CSMCREEKSIDE RENEWABLES ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES
City Center
April 6, 2011 - 4:30 p.m.
Members Present: Bill Arndt, Marian Filk, Bob Peterson, Nathan Winter, Juli
Neubarth
Absent: Brandon Fraser, Bob Anderson
Others Present: Jeremy Carter, Doug Johnson, Andy Kosek
1. Approval of January 19, 2011, minutes
Motion by Filk, second by Peterson to approve minutes as presented. Motion carried
unanimously.
2. Financials for Year End
Jeremy Carter, City Administrator, reviewed Creekside's financials for 2010. There
was an increased cash balance of $230,000 and $105,000 was transferred to the
City's general field. 2010 was very comparable to 2008 and 2009. Creekside staff is
continuing to explore new markets to increase revenue and costs have been kept
under control.
Doug Johnson, Compost Site Manger, reviewed a recent business meeting he sat in
on with Garick and Home Depot. Home Depot is very pleased with Creekside
product. Mr. Johnson is working on acquiring raw material for 2012 -2013. Mr.
Johnson suggested that the Creekside Renewables Advisory Board provide feedback
on the concept of Creekside opening a satellite site closer to the metro area in
conjunction with a private company. Some options to consider include Creekside
operating the facility in partnership with a private company or Garick could operate
the site. Mr. Carter reviewed other benefits to these options. The site in the metro
area is simply for the composting process of yard waste. By having the site so close
to the metro area (it would be located in Carver County), Creekside can charge a tip
fee. The MPCA is agreeable to this concept. The Board provided positive feedback
to staff on this idea and directed staff to move forward on this project.
3. Strategic Plan
Doug Johnson, Creekside Manager, reviewed the four strategies developed by staff.
They include: Document all policies and procedures, Work on sustainability, Direct
more waste from landfill, Look at alternatives for waste or renewable.
4. Matrix Reporting
Doug Johnson noted that staff is putting together reports to publish to the Board, the
Council and the public. Mr. Johnson asked the Board what they felt the most
effective graphics would be. The Board noted that it is important to report the
percentage of tons diverted from the landfill, the dollar amount transferred to the
landfill, the free services provided (non- direct) and collection in other cities for
McLeod County residents. Mr. Johnson will report back information.
5. More Educational and Garden Shows
Doug Johnson noted that Creekside currently provides their materials to local users
to promote their products at trade shows versus manning promotional booths
themselves. It has been suggested that Creekside attend other regional shows in
North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa. It was noted that the Fargo area is
expanding and could be a good market for Creekside. The Board felt it was best to
team up with a distributor.
6. McLeod County Fair
Doug Johnson reviewed continuing to have a booth at the Fair. There would be no
orders taken, but rather an informational and educational booth that promotes local
sales.
7. Miscellaneous
Doug Johnson reported that there will be two bagging shifts dunning at 16 hours a
day during the upcoming busy season. There will be a palletizer upgrade next week
with sales similar to last year.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.