01-21-2015 CSMCREEKSIDE RENEWABLES ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES
City Center
January 21, 2015 - 4:30 p.m.
Members Present: Brandon Fraser, Sandra Kaufman, Kurt Hjerpe, Tammy Field and
John Lofdahl
Members Absent: Kurt Hjerpe and Nathan Winter
Others Present: Andy Kosek and Becky Kobow
1. Approval of Minutes from October 15, 2014
Motion by Fraser, second by Kaufman, to approve the minutes as presented.
2. Financials (if available)
Andy Kosek provided financial information on the compost and refuse fund.
3. 2015 Sales/Production Update
Becky Kobow provided a bagged sales comparison from 2014 to 2015. Overall, all
bagged sales increased with year-to-date sales double from this time last year.
Kobow mentioned that many of Creekside's customers are procuring their product
earlier than usual. Kosek provided more details on each customer and their impact
to Creekside.
4. Vision & Planning discussion
Kosek noted that 2012, 2013 and 2014 have been good years. However, 2015
shows a (71,386) loss. Much of this has to do with large capital improvement
projects and purchases included in 2015. Kosek spoke to the resources required to
fill the Garick contract of 1.5 million bags. If any changes are considered, they
would take place in 2016. General discussion was held regarding sales and
marketing strategies used by Creekside. Kosek mentioned that the transfer to the
City may need to be revisited if critical capital improvements need to be made.
Kosek noted that he is continually researching other resource materials. One being
river dredging and the other being material from a sugar beet plant. River dredging
may not be pliable, however Creekside staff is ready to conduct a pilot study on the
sugar beet material and ready to complete a pro forma. The group concurred to
having a tour of the Creekside facility at an upcoming board meeting. General
discussion was held on bit -con use and sales
5. Miscellaneous
Brandon Fraser asked what the thought is behind the tree mitigation fund and the
impact if emerald ash borer overtakes McLeod County and how Creekside will be
impacted. Fraser asked what will happen if an overabundance of material is brought
to the facility in response. Kosek noted that no serious discussions have been held
at this point on how this will be dealt with. Foreacasts indicate that emerald ash
borer should not reach our area for a few years. Kosek noted that Creekside
currently has a compliance agreement with the Department of Agriculture for
accepting emerald ash borer infested material.
John Lofdahl brought up the idea of grinding asphalt shingles. Kosek noted that
there is a market for that type of material that will need to be researched more.
Motion by Fraser, second by Lofdahl, to adjourn at 5:35 p.m.