March Board Meeting Minutes
March 9, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
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JEFFERSON – BELMONT REGIONAL SOLID WASTE AUTHORTY
MINUTES FROM MEETING OF MARCH 9, 2009
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: John Abdalla, Edward Argentine, Tom Bottorf, Darrin Corrigan, Chuck Dawson, Barbara Godwin, James King, Toni Kolanski, Mark McVey, Bruce Misselwitz, William Weekley, Bruce Williams
ABSENT: Ginny Favede, Thomas Graham
OTHERS: Patrick Lanaghan, Dave Hays, John Mascio and Natalie Lysle
A quorum being present, Thomas Bottorf, Chairman, called to order the regular meeting of the Jefferson/Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority at the Fernwood Complex, 125 Fernwood Road, Suite 301, Wintersville, Ohio at 5:03PM on, Monday, March 9, 2009.
MINUTES: A motion to approve the February, 2009 regular monthly meeting minutes was made by Mr. McVey and seconded by Mr. Corrigan. VOTE: Unanimous, Yea. Motion passed.
CORRESPONDENCE: Patrick Lanaghan
Apex Tonnage Reports for January 2009:
Dave Hays reported the on the comparison of the 2008 to the estimated 2009 tonnage and fees for the Apex Landfill. Estimated total fees for 2009 of $1,364,000, compared to the 2008 $1,662,000. Mr. Hays reported the budget was prepared for the decrease.
Mr. Lanaghan reported that the Apex Environmental has purchased another transfer station in New York City giving them to a total of three (3), and that they expected to be back at least year’s numbers by next month. Mr. Lanaghan stated that he felt the Authority would be financially sound, and recommended keeping the budget the way it currently is, with the exception of Workers Comp. Mr. Hays reported a current balance in the bank of $941,000.
Mr. Misselwitz added that Apex Environmental not only purchased the property in New Jersey but also has a new contract with the City of New York.
Mr. Lanaghan reported that the January and February number were 15-17% less than last years.
Letter from Progress Alliance:
Progress Alliance, the Jefferson County’s Economic Development Agency, has requested that the Authority join their board. To hold a seat on the board they require $2,000 of economic support per year with a four (4) year pledge. He was told that a board member suggested the idea.
Mr. Bottorf asked that Mr. Lanaghan get a copy of the letter to the board members for consideration and placement on next months meeting Agenda.
FISCAL REPORT: Dave Hays
Mr. Hays reported revenues for February 2009 $128,000, with expenditures of $91,007 and net income of $37,978 with a cash balance of $22,809.
Mr. Hays asked members to review the non-payroll expenses approved by the Finance Committee.
Mr. Williams asked how much time remained on the Steubenville and Wintersville office space leases, and if they were negotiable. After a board discussion it was decided that Mr. Lanaghan and Mr. Abdalla would talk to Mr. Petrola about reducing the lease amount and moving the Steubenville office location to the Fernwood Complex.
A motion to accept the fiscal officer’s report and approve Expenditures for February 2009 was made by Ms. Godwin and seconded by Mr. Kolanski. VOTE: Unanimous, Yea. Motion passed.
Mr. Hays reported that he underestimated the amount needed in the Workers Comp Line Item. Forgetting about the additional staff hired in 2008 he would need to adjust the amount upward in the amount of $5,047.55 bringing it to a total of $18,297.75. The board discussed ways to get a better rate on Workers Comp.
A motion was made to adjust the appropriation by Mr. Weekley, seconded by Mr. Williams. VOTE: Unanimous Yeah by roll call. Motion passed.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT: Thomas Bottorf
None.
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Bruce Misselwitz
Mr. Misselwitz reported that the Committee agreed to follow Mr. Lanaghan’s plan to distribute (1) one Sam’s Club Gift card to each school district and include the School of Bright Promise and the School of Hope. He stated they also approved the purchase of 600 T-Shirts for distribution to be worn on Earth Day, April 22.
Mr. Argentine made a motion to authorize Mr. Lanaghan to distribute the Sam’s Club Gift Cards to the Schools as proposed, Mr. Dawson seconded. VOTE: 10 Yea’s, with Mr. McVey abstaining, Mr. Williams voted No. Motion passed.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Mark McVey
A special meeting was scheduled for the entire board, Mr. Lanaghan and Mr. Hays, to be held in Executive Session on March 23rd at 5 p.m. for the Director Review and Evaluation. Mr. Bottorf stated a written evaluation would be completed as Mr. Lanaghan’s contract requires.
The board would also discuss the temporary drivers to be hired from April – August 2009.
PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT: Chuck Dawson
2009 Recycling Initiative Grants:
Mr. Dawson reported the Committee reviewed seven grant applications and recommended that all the applicants received the amounts requested. The grants applications were received from Village of Wintersville $5,000; City of St. Clairsville $5,000; City of Steubenville $5,000; Village of Irondale $4,890; Pultney Township $5,000, Wheeling/Union Township $3,220; Martins Ferry City Schools $2,300.
Mr. Dawson made a motion to accept the Planning Committees recommendation and distribute the proposed grant money. Mr. Abdalla seconded. VOTE: 9 Yea’s, with Mr. Williams, Mr. Bottorf, Mr. Kolanski abstaining. Motion passed.
2009 Community Award Grants:
Mr. Dawson reported the Committee reviewed eleven (11) mini grant applications requesting up to $1,000. The Committee recommended giving the grants in the following amounts: Belco works $1,000; City of St. Clairsville $560 for composting; City of St. Clairsville $1,000 for purchase of recycling bins; Indian Creek Key Club $1,000; Jefferson County 4-H $1,000; Jefferson County Soil & Water $1,000; Pultney Township $1,000 for cleanup of illegal dumpsites; Steubenville Revitalization $1,000; School of Hope $1,000; Trinity Health System $1,000; and Wintersville Betterment $1,000. Mr. Abdalla asked that a copy of the list be distributed to board members.
Mr. Dawson stated the Committee discussed taking another look at the Recycling/Cleanup Grant Application to change the wording enabling the Authority to distribute more money this year. Mr. Dawson reported the Authority has the money available, and the subject was up for further discussion.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT: Patrick Lanaghan
2009 Special Collections:
Mr. Lanaghan reported the 2009 special collections would include the Tire collections, Community Cleanups, E-cycling Events and the Household Hazardous Waste Collections. Two (2) E-Cycling Events are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 15th at the Ohio Valley Mall and August 22nd at the Fort Steuben Mall, both from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Total cost estimated $8,000-$10,000. Mr. Lanaghan stated both Malls have already agreed to help sponsor the events.
Mr. McVey made a motion to authorize the two (2) proposed E-Cycling Events for a maximum cost of $15,000. Mr. Argentine seconded. VOTE: Unanimous Yea by roll call. Motion passed.
Mr. Lanaghan reported he would be meeting with WTI regarding the Household Hazardous Waste Collection. The year the event would be held in Belmont County, with exact location still pending, possibly in St. Clairsville at Belmont Tech. He would be scaling down the collection to a four hour collection. Once all the events are scheduled Mr. Lanaghan will email and fax out the list to board members.
Estimate for electricity hook up at the Recycling Yard:
Mr. Hays reported the costs for electric hookup in the Jefferson County yard location. Costs would depend on the option the Authority would choose. One option is running a line from the Water & Sewer building out to the trailer with estimate of $5,400. To run a compactor at the site it will take 200 amps., increasing the capacity for this will cost $30,000. Mr. Bottorf stated the staff and Planning Committee would get together to work out on how to proceed.
Mr. Mascio advised the Authority to get a long term lease agreement prior to investing a large amount of money into the site. He suggested coming up with a game plan for the site, giving it to him to put into writing, forwarding a copy to the Jefferson County Commissioners, the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office, and then calling them to try to expedite matters. Mr. Bottorf asked my Mr. Lanaghan to get Mr. Mascio the approximate square feet and other items needed at the site to begin this process.
Mr. Lanaghan reported he, Mr. Bottorf and some staff members have been meeting to figure out ways to become more efficient, that they would not longer be using Neville’s Island due to the fact that they are starting to charge and the possibility of them beginning to landfill materials. He is to meet Bill Steiner in Portage County tomorrow for a quick tour of their huge expansion project, discuss issues the Authority has, and will most likely begin taking materials there
Recycling Update:
Mr. Lanaghan discussed the increase in the recycling program. Stating the paper numbers have doubled since last year, with Jefferson County already recycling ½ million pounds of paper in the first two months. He stated he is expecting Jefferson County to recycling 3 millions pounds of paper in 2009. Mr. Lanaghan stated due to the increase, a bailer for Jefferson County would be a big help, and that Apex is willing to allow the Authority to set up a similar operation at the transfer station in Belmont County, reducing Belmont County’s hauling time and expenses.
Mr. Lanaghan explained that the Jefferson County program has outgrown the Packer purchased last year and would like to send it to Belmont County, and purchase another larger packer for Jefferson County. Mr. Lanaghan presented some packer truck prices from Steubenville Trucking Co. The board discussed the types of trucks to consider the possible cost difference between Neville’s Island and Portage County, and the possibility of packing the materials before transporting in the future to save costs. Mr. Misselwitz asked Mr. Lanaghan to extend invitations to the Chairman of the Planning Committee for meetings regarding major changes to the recycling program. Mr. McVey asked to get the agreement with Portage in some form of writing, and to help save costs possibly bidding out the hauling currently done Dailey’s. Capital outlay and budget were discussed.
LANDFILL ISSUES: Bruce Misselwitz
Mr. Misselwitz stated that the Jefferson County Sanitarians have identified 30 open dump sites that they are scheduling for legal action and cleanup.
Mr. Misselwitz also reported that House Bill 50 passed on March 6, 2009 giving Townships the right to go on private property to clean up nuisances and junk cars, and they can then put the cost on the property owner taxes or order them to pay.
OLD BUSINESS:
Time clock update:
Mr. Hays reported the time clocks are now installed at the Jefferson and Belmont Offices, and should be installed at the yard in Wintersville by the end of the week. They will be using the Water Department building.
Phone number stickers for equipment:
Mr. Lanaghan reported he had a mock up done for the container stickers, the stickers will state “To report any problems call:” with the Central, Jefferson and Belmont Office numbers for the public to contact. Mr. Lanaghan will be ordering the vinyl stickers that should hold for seven (7) years, which should be placed on the containers once it warms up.
NEW BUSINESS:
Packer Truck:
Mr. Bottorf stated that they will work with the Planning Committee to come up with a long term plan before purchasing.
Curbside Recycling Initiatives:
Mr. Bottorf recommended tabling the issue for now due to the economy, and first getting the current drop off programs working well.
Mr. Abdalla asked for update regarding the meeting with Belmont County Sheriff Thompson. Mr. Lanaghan reported he met with him to discuss the Environmental Enforcement Officer. Still need to do a feasibility study, and get with the County Prosecutor. It is most likely going to be a part time deputy, working solely on Environmental Enforcement, working with the Keep Belmont County Beautiful Office. Mr. Lanaghan stated he is working this through the Planning Committee and will keep the Board updated.
Mr. Bottorf discussed issues regarding pulled containers leaving sites empty which is making the public angry. He suggested purchasing two (2) containers to have available to be placed at the sites. Mr. Lanaghan presented three (3) quotes, with the cheapest for two at $24,800.
Mr. Argentine made a motion to approve the purchase of the two tandem axel recycling trailers. Ms. Godwin stated that the Belmont County locations have issues needing addressed also. Mr. Lanaghan stated the long term plan was to switch the Belmont County barns out for containers, after a brief discussion Mr. Misselwitz seconded the motion. VOTE: 11 Yea’s by roll call, Ms. Godwin voting No. Motion passed.
The board continued to discuss the issues of the barns in Belmont County, and the plan to eventually replace the barns at 15 sites with the trailers. Mr. Lanaghan explained that with the new driver, changes in how the materials are handled, and taking the materials to Cambridge should begin to help improve the issue. Mr. Dawson suggested after the feasibility study, getting board members the results to discuss at the next meeting. Mr. Bottorf stated he would rather authorize the overtime needed for staff to keep the locations clean, than be concerned about saving a little bit of costs.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 pm.
ATTEST: _____________________________ ______________________________
Thomas Bottorf, Chairman Bruce Misselwitz, Secretary
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