HomeMy Public PortalAbout08/29/1989 Special CCM0 r'
The Council of the City of Medina met in special session on Tuesday, August 29,
1989 to discuss the application to put ash into the Woodlake Landfill.
Present: Mayor Thomas Anderson; Councilmembers, Wilfred Scherer, Anne Theis, Robert
Mitchell, Stephen Schmit; Clerk -Treasurer, Donna Roehl; Zoning Administrator,
Loren Kohnen; Attorney, Dennis Coyne; Consultants from Wenck Associates.
Thomas Anderson reported that he would prefer tabling action on the Woodlake landfill ash
application due to the fact that Hennepin County had tabled action on the agreement the
city had presented to them, as well as some other issues involving the agreement. He
asked if council wished to hear from those present.
Stephen Schmit stated that he would agree to hear from those attending for approximately
one half hour.
Wilfred Scherer stated that he believed council bad heard everything at two prior meetings.
Anne 'Theis asked if there was anyone who might have something new to contribute.
Robert Mitchell agreed that if people were to speak it should be at this meeting as
next week's meeting is the regular council meeting.
Thomas Anderson stated that he would allow questions and comments for one half hour.
Matt Billo, 3135 Lakeshore ave., spoke on behalfof the Lake Independence citizens group
against putting ash into an already•contaminated, waste site.
Rachel Lord, Citizens Coalition to Stop Incineration asked for terms of the contract the
city is asking Hennepin County to approve, regarding liability assurances and threat to
the water table.
Frank Mignone, 3360 Red Fox Dr., asked if Dioxir, had been addressed or would the same
situation arise as has with nucelar reactors anc how to handle the waste that is gen-
erated.
Tony Mross, South Minneapolis, read a prepared statement cautioning Council about the ash.
Michael King, 265 Medina Rd., asked how important the opinion of Medina residents was
to the city council.
Thomas Anderson stated that opinion meant a lot to him.
Anne Thies stated that council has been very serious about listening to citizens and a
lot of people feel the sooner the landfill is filled the sooner it will close.
Michael King asked how well the council knows how the citizen fell about the issue.
Thomas Anderson stated that council cannot know how everyone feels about the proposal.
Jim Christensen, 1905 Highcrest Dr.; asked why the issue couldn't be put to a vote of
the people and he stated that he would like to know from each member why they voted the
way they voted, when that time came.
Michael King stated that he would be interested to hear a brief reason why putting ash
in the landfill is a good idea.
Pat Wulff, 2865 Lakeshore Ave., asked if there would be a place for contaminated water,
if it occurred.
Carl Phillips, 1845 Buckskin, stated that he had read an article regarding disposing of
ash in bedrock and he would like a comment on that, plus he wanted some information on
transportation of the ash from the incinerator.
Al Wondra, 2045 Tamarack Dr., stated that the FMC plant in Fridley caused a problem
50 years ago and now everyone has been finding it out.
Roman Jamorogiewicz, 3260 Carriage Dr., asked how the city council could make a valid
decision when the county is holding a club over their heads regarding some other issues.
Lois Swanson, Minneapolis, stated that some people are trying to stop the incincerator
and it would help if the council would turn it down.
Rita Pepin, 3312 Pioneer Tr., stated that Pace Labs took water samples and does not tell
them what the quality of their drinking water is.
Matt Billo stated that adjacent land is zoned residential and this site is scheduled to
receive superfund money for the old landfill.
Michale Hofkin, 1422 Tamarack Dr., stated that he is uninformed about the issue.
Thomas Anderson stated that anyone can look at the file and get a list of the Planning
Commission recommendations.
Michael King asked if council would decide at the next meeting as to whether or not the
residents will be allowed to vote on the issue.
Charlene Barron, 1565 Buckskin Dr., stated that people are getting tired of being exploited
and having to move from one contaminated community to another. If soil is so different
why is there such a concern about our septic systems.
Bill Waytas, 3448 Elm Creek Dr., stated that this will not help Medina, it is so close to
so many people, there are more rural areas in the state that are more acceptable.
Arne Kolbjornsen, Plymouth, asked how many people know about the other site in Medina that
the county is looking at for a solid waste dump.
John Bartzen, 1075 Oak Circle, asked when the residents will know when a decision,is to
be made and if the people will have a chance to vote on the question.
Thomas Anderson stated that the council would set another meeting date, tonight.
Attorney, Dennis Coyne, explained that the agreement with the county requires indemnification
for the ash, Type I ash is to be removed and put into Type II, no composting or co -composting
is to be done in Medina, plus termination of the facility according to the previous agreement.
Mark Hallein of RMT, representing Browning -Ferris, explained that dioxins are formed and
proper techniques are then used to treat.
Mike. Panzer, Wenck Associates, stated that leachate is tested on a quarterly basis for
dioxins and according to the permit cannot be accepted at the landfill.
Rachel Lord stated that particles of dioxin can get into leachate and that the turn -around
time for test is from 6 to 8 weeks and that is is recommended that the ash be put in con-
crete as it is done in Germany.
Mark Hallein stated that six test wells will monitor the site on a quarterly basis, these
wells to be installed inside of a compliance boundary.
Attorney Creg Korstad of Browning -Ferris, stated that Pace Labs tests for contaminants
who have reported that there is not water contamination.
Mark Hallein stated that storing ash in bedrock is not required by any state, in fact it
is usually stored in clay, away from bedrock.
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-'Regarding transportaion, he stated that trucks will have gaskets and the ash material
will have a 15/ moisture content.
Carl Phillips asked who would be responsible if there was an accident.
Mark Hallein stated that Browning -Ferris has an excellant safety record.
Vern Genzlinger of Hennepin County stated that the haul route is likely to be Hwy. 55
with the hauling company, not yet selected, but they will have proper insurance.
Carl Phillips stated that liability insurance has a pollution exclusion provision.
Robert Mitchll stated that Hennepin County and Woodlake also have insurance.
Keith Nord, 2942 Trappers Tr.; asked why Germany requires separate vaults for fly ash.
Loren Kohnen stated that the ash in Germany will be warehoused for two more years and
then processed and put into a landfill.
Thomas Anderson asked where the leachate will be disposed.
Mark Hallein stated it will go to the Metro Treatment plant.
Rachel Lord stated that the Metro plant is meant to take human waste not hazardous waste.
Thomas Anderson asked her where the material should be put.
Rachel Lord stated that such things should not be produced and the county is finally acting
on battery disposal.
Robert Mitchell asked for a general description of the procedures.
Mark Hallen stated that one foot of clay is the minimum requirement and at Woodlake there
will be clay plus a plastic membrane; cover is required every other day and at Woodlake
it will be covered on a daily basis.
Robert Mitchell stated that the principal shortcoming is that it is built over the old
Boyer landfill.
Jim Christensen asked how it would be moved from the Type I to the Type II area.
Mark Hallein stated that it would be put into trucks, the liner material tested and if
contaminated would be disposedof, the clay would also be tested and if it was contaminated
it, too, would be disposed of properly.
Rollin Smith of Browning -Ferris stated that there will be one foot of sand between the
liner and the clay.
Keith Nord asked for an answer regarding a referendum.
Thomas Anderson stated that the regular city attorney is not at this meeting.
Robert Mitchell stated that there are still some issues to be dealt with and Hennepin
County will not consider the issue until their next meeting on September 5th.
Moved by Mitchell, seconded by Scherer to table the ash application until Tuesday,
September 5, 1989, at 7:30 P.M.
Motion declared carried
Thomas Anderson stated that the preconstruction agreement should be dealt with at
this meeting as they were only allowed to work until this meeting, August 29th.
Moved by Mitchell, seconded by Scherer to extend Paragraph 7 of the preconstruction
agreement allowing for continuation of earth moving at Woodlake, with all other terms
and conditions of the agreement to remain in full force and effect.
Stephen Schmit stated that he was opposed to their continuing work because anyone else
coming before the city for a permit must have everything submitted before any approval
is given.
Robert Mitchell stated that if the facility is going to be built it should be done in
good weather.
Anne Theis stated that she did not think the time should be extended either, one week
of delay would not natter.
Motion carried voting No--Schmit, Theis
Council discussed the possibility holding an information meeting for those who say they
are not informed about the application.
Council agreed to hold the session from 6:00 P.M. to 7:15 P.M. on September 5th.
Moved by Mitchell, seconded by Scherer to adjourn.
Motion declared carried
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M.
Clerk -Treasurer Mayer
August 29, 1989