04-17-2013 CSMCREEKSIDE RENEWABLES ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES
City Center
April 17, 2013 - 4:30 p.m.
Members Present: Gary Forcier, Marian Filk, Bob Peterson, Nathan Winter, Brandon
Fraser, Juli Neubarth, and Bb Anderson
Others Present: Andy Reid, Andy Kosek
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m.
1. Approval of Minutes from January 16, 2013
Motion by Fraser, second by Anderson, to approve the minutes as presented.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. Financials
Andy Reid, City Controller, reviewed the compost fund balance sheet and income
statement. Year -to -date shows revenue over expenditures at $101,250. Mr. Reid
then reviewed the refuse fund balance sheet and income statement. Year -to -date
shows revenue over expenditures at $75,337. Andy Kosek, Compost Site Manager,
noted that equipment is going to need to be replaced within the next few years. Mr.
Kosek spoke specifically to the use of the grinder.
3. 2013 Sales to date
a. Year to Year comparison
Mr. Kosek reviewed shipped by month totals of bagged and bulk products.
Creekside is 27,000 bags behind in sales compared to 2012. This is mainly due to
the weather conditions this spring. When the weather turns around, Creekside is
prepared to extend their loading hours. Bulk sales are down as well compared to
last year.
4. Shakopee Site
Mr. Kosek explained that all future plans at this site have been dissolved.
Information received previously was not accurate and there would be no positive
cash flow from the site. The losses for permitting and bonding the facility was less
than $10,000.
5. Operation/Production
a. Bagging
b. Grinding
Mr. Kosek explained that the facility has been bagging two shifts since March 18,
2013. Staff is building inventory for when season sales pick up and re- orders.
Material that was ground in Kandiyohi County will be coming to Creekside after the
first of May to be re- ground and screened.
6. Equipment Back -up Alarms
Mr. Kosek spoke about a "smart alarm" which is an equipment back -up alarm that
changes decibel levels as the engine RPM increases and meets OSHA standards.
Mr. Kosek noted that he has been working with Bob Anderson and other neighbors
near the facility on the noise issues caused by equipment back -up alarms. Staff will
be testing using silent alarms with a strobe light and will continue to work on this
issue.
7. New Business
a. Proposed Equipment Replacement for 2014
b. Southern MN Beet Sugar Coop visit
c. Dredging material — North Dakota /Campbell or Otter Lake
Mr. Kosek explained that he has requested the following pieces of equipment for
2014: 1. Front end loader in mid -year, only if funds are available from the
Creekside account; 2. Roll -off truck, estimated at $132,000 from the refuse
account; 3. Fork lift, estimated at $32,000 from the Creekside account.
Mr. Kosek explained that staff visited the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Co -op.
The water used in the co -ops processing is considered industrial waste, which in
western Minnesota is topsoil runoff of sugar beets. There is no chemical added
during the process. Staff is looking at ways to utilize this product at Creekside. The
co -op has excessive material that it wishes to get rid of at no charge. Many
decisions depend on PCA regulations and the mandates Creekside would need to
follow. Mr. Forcier suggested looking in to the beet dumping site near Brownton if
Renville Council would back haul the material.
Mr. Kosek spoke of a North Dakota company that dredged a lake and produced
approximately 100,000 yards of material. The company is looking for a place to
unload the material. Logistically, this company won't work for Creekside, however
dredging locally may very well be an option. Creekside staff will continue to take
feedback on these types of prospects.
Motion by Anderson, second by Neubarth, to adjourn at 5:25 p.m.