Caledonia Argus

County objects to meeting between OEA, La Crosse

Posted: 1/7/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

In a strongly worded letter to the Office of Environmental Assistance, the Houston County Board protested a meeting between an OEA employee, Dave Benke, and the La Crosse County Board. Houston County is currently in negotiations with La Crosse County on a contract for solid waste disposal.

It was at the county board meeting of December 23 that County Board Chair Kevin Kelleher informed commissioners that Benke had met with the La Crosse County Board on December 10 and offered La Crosse County grant money to be used that for that countyís solid waste system.

ìLa Crosse County was being offered grant money while our funds are being cut,î said Kelleher, referring to the 10 percent cut in SCORE (Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment) funding. ìThey never notified us (of the meeting). It always irritates me when we are involved but not notified.î

Rick Frank, Houston Countyís solid waste officer, explained at the meeting of the 23rd that $15,000 in matching grant funds are being offered to La Crosse County as a regional solid waste disposal provider.

After the meeting, Kelleher fired off a letter to the Office of Environmental Assistance protesting Benkeís offer of grant money to La Crosse County. The letter read, in part, ìHouston County was not notified that this appearance by an OEA employee would take place, nor the content of which would be discussed. Having just received a 10 percent cut in SCORE grant funding, we find it incredulous that the Office of Environmental Assistance would be offering grant money to an out-of state entity without at least the formality of consulting the Minnesota counties involved in the solid waste system.î

At the commissioners meeting of December 30, Kelleher said he had an ìintense discussionî with Benke personally and Benke understands the countyís concerns.

The county currently has six years left on its contract with La Crosse County. La Crosse County would like to have that contract extended by 15 years. Houston County has several concerns, including the possibility that the county could be named in any possible lawsuits which arise from operation of the Xcel incinerator in French Island or La Crosse County landfill. Current plans call for materials from the old La Crosse County landfill which cannot be burned to be placed in a new landfill which is equipped with an impenetrable liner. There have also been concerns voiced over the emissions from the Xcel incinerator.

Houston County sent approximately 7,500 tons of solid waste to the landfill and incinerator in 2002. Cost for disposal is $58/ton at the incinerator and $63/ton for most items hauled to the landfill.

In a related matter, at its December 23 meeting, the county board approved a cost of living adjustment of three percent for Richardís Sanitation.

County 3 ready to be bid

In other news, Commissioner Dave Corcoran noted that all right-of-way for County #3 has been purchased and the second phase of the project can now be bid. Corcoran noted that the machinery needs to be in place before road bans are set in the spring.

The bids for blacktopping on Phase I will also be let.

County restructuring act may be adopted

County commissioners held off on supporting the County Restructuring Act of 2003 as drafted buy the Association of Minnesota Counties. A meeting was to be held January 3 in St. Paul to discuss the resolution, which according to the AMC, represents the most significant restructuring of the county/state relationship in the history of the state.î

The resolution calls for the elimination of all unfunded state mandates, and for counties to be immune from prosecution from any lawsuit that could result from failing to provide those services. According to the AMC, there are 5,500 statutory references to the counties, which the AMC says is a testament to the micro-management by the state of county affairs.

The AMC is asking counties to pass the resolution on January 7. If approved by the AMC board of directors on January 16, it may be introduced in the legislature January 22 or 23.

County approves contracts with unions

In other news, the county has negotiated contracts with both the ë49ers (highway department) and AFSCME unions.

Members of both unions will receive a two percent increase effective January 1, 2003, and another two percent increase effective July 1. The increase for 2004 will be three percent. The countyís contribution towards the cost of insurance will be $190/month in 2003 and $200 in 2004.

In the 49íers contract, the county has agreed to increase show-up pay from one hour to two. Uniform allowance was increased from $365 to $400 per year. Call-back time has been increased from two hours to four hours.

The county has not yet settled with the two law enforcement bargaining units. There are separate contracts with jailers/dispatchers and deputies.

Top of Page