At the March 28 county board meeting, the proposed agreement with Harter’s Quick Clean-up, La Crosse, was discussed at length.
The agreement for waste disposal services, rural recycling disposal, recycling, processing and marketing services was approved with some changes and wording corrections. The agreement begins on April 1, 2017 and is initially for five years.
Matt Harter, Project Manager, maintained he wants things to go smoothly. There was discussion about the destination of the waste. The county is obligated to send a minimum amount to Winneshiek County. Lake Mills is a greater distance with a lower tipping fee. Harter said he is happy to haul it to either place. Commissioner Marc Prestby wants the cost tracked to compare the total cost including mileage and tipping fees.
Because of differing interpretations of the obligations in the Waste Management contract, County Attorney Brett Corson made an effort to make the language clearer in this contract. The Solid Waste Committee recommended there be a continuation of the contract for five years after written notice of termination. Prestby supported this. There is also a 180-day opt out clause for a material breach of contract.
Harter stated when there are disagreements they will negotiate in good faith. He added they have a lot of capital invested.
The initial five-year contract was accepted unanimously. It will renew annually automatically, so there will always be a five-year contract.
Seven hauler licenses were approved.
Fillmore County Hazardous Waste collection will be on Tuesday, May 2 from noon to 5 p.m.
Other business in brief
• Registered Dietician Jessica Holts was hired effective April 17.
Kristina Kohn, Human Resources, presented a policy update calendar. The intention is to review county personnel policies annually. The calendar lists the date the policy is on the “P” drive and when any proposed changes can be looked at, the first reading date and the second reading date when the changes could be approved. This will allow for comments. Commissioner Mitch Lentz said this will enable them to get through all the Personnel policies in one year. If there is no change to a policy, there will be no action. There was a consensus to move forward with the calendar process.
• Chief Deputy Tony Webber received approval to sell the 2007 Chevrolet Uplander van with nearly 140,000 miles on it at Sweeney Auction.
• Feedlot Officer Mike Frauenkron received approval to purchase a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox from the Feedlot account. The Highway Department will reimburse Feedlot $4,100 for a 2013 Ford F150 Super Crew Cab and the 2009 Equinox will be transferred to Zoning. The total expense to the Feedlot account after reimbursement will be $18,185.80.
• Approval was given to extend the hours for a temporary office support worker in the Veterans Services office to scan data into the Veterans Information Management System. The total cost for the temporary worker will be up to $9,000, which will be paid for through a Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs grant.
• Add-ons were approved to the cooperative copy machine purchase. The additional cost will be $74.34 per month.
• Payment for the printer/fax/scan equipment for the Highway Shops in the amount of $866 was approved.
• Storm Wind Training for Information Systems staff was approved at a cost of $7,470. This is for 24 months of trainings for three people.
• Approval was given for the Next Generation 911 GIS Project. The county will be moving from an E911 system to NG911. The completion target day is July 2018. Costs will be paid for with 911 Funds and unallocated funds.
• The appointment of Pam Schroeder, Highway/Airport Office Manager, to the Minnesota Council of Airports was approved. Commissioner Duane Bakke remarked that anytime we get someone to represent the county at the state level is good.
• Approval was given to advertise for a finance officer level position for the Auditor/Treasurer Office. County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman explained that the department is short on staff with only four staff people and one temp position. The hire will need to be certified in Tax Calculation or able to be certified.