Caledonia Argus

Waste agreement with La Crosse on hold

Posted: 4/27/04

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Houston County is in no hurry to extend a waste agreement with La Crosse County, according to commissioner Kevin Kelleher, speaking at the Tuesday, April 20, meeting of the Houston County board.

ìIíll be 73 years old when the contract ends. Weíre probably talking [about a contract] that is in the millions of dollars,î he said.

Houston County has been working off and on for two years with an environmental lawyer, Dick Nowlin, who specializes in these types of contracts. The contract would extend the contract to 2023.

The contract the county favors would protect the county from liability in the event that materials burned in the incinerator or buried in the landfill are harmful to the environment. The count is particularly concerned with railroad ties which may contain harmful materials.

La Crosse Waste Management upgraded its incinerator to include pollution control measures. In fact, the upgrade is why La Crosse County is extending its contracts because the new contract includes language that passes on some of the cost of the upgrade to the other counties.

La Crosse County has already signed contracts with other counties who use its landfill and incinerator and would have to make changes to those contracts if it signs a different contract with Houston County.

However, that is not a big issue with Kelleher, who said when Houston County signed a contract with La Crosse County in 1988, other counties changed their wording to match Houston Countyís contract.

ìThe same is true today. If they give us an indemnification of liability, they would afford that to the rest of them. My mom used to say, ëIf all of your friends jumped off the bridge, would you?í The fact that everyone else signs doesnít mean anything to me,î he said.

Environmental Services Director Rick Frank said Houston County sent its proposal to La Crosse County in February and received a response in mid-April. It included a sample contract with Wabasha County that rejected the indemnification clause. La Crosse County also informed commissioners that they are in the midst of reorganization in the county government and a solid waste policy board will be created in the next month or two to establish plans and policies for the La Crosse County Solid Waste Department. La Crosse County is unsure how this will affect negotiations with Houston County.

Although, La Crosse Countyís letter did not ask Houston County to make a decision quickly, Frank said that message was conveyed in phone conversations. Kelleher said he felt uncomfortable about making a quick decision.

Commissioners approved sending a letter to La Crosse County indicating that they are interested in continuing negotiations after its department has been reorganized.

Commissioners also considered the possibility of letting its contract expire in 2008.

If they did that, they would still be liable for paying off their portion of the upgrade to the incinerator. Houston Countyís total cost for that is $240,000 and by 2008, they would owe $130,000. Kelleher said he would like to discuss with their attorney because he is not convinced they would are liable for that amount.

EDA public hearing times set

Public hearings for tax abatements for John and Eileen Loken and Randy Klinski on May 11 have been set for 11:00 a.m.

A public hearing for an amendment to the JOBZ business subsidy agreement criteria will also be held at 11 a.m. along with a joint meeting with cities of Houston County, excluding Caledonia which will have its own public hearing.

Houston County Economic Development Director Joyce Iverson told commissioners the amendment focuses on the wage requirement that is recommended by the state where there be at least one job per $20,000 of tax benefit. That salary would represent 110 percent of the poverty level, which is currently at about $10 per hour.

Iverson said she has been in touch with the state regarding the wage suggestion and will have someone to talk to via a conference call at 11:30 a.m. ìThat way everyone hears the same message.î

Iverson pointed to the draft business subsidy agreement that will be open to public comment. ìThis would be the model that all the cities would follow if the cities were in agreement.î

One point concerning the wage that will need to be cleared up at the public hearing is if the number of jobs is $20,000 per benefit per year or if it accumulates over the life of the project.

Commissioners decided that it would be per year.

This draft will have been critiqued by county attorney Rick Jackson before the public hearing.

County to buy defibrillator

The board approved purchasing an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) to place in the county courthouse. The device is used to deliver a shock to a personís heart if it has stopped beating.

Commissioners agreed to take $2,500 out of the ìcommissionerís budgetî to pay for the AED.

Emergency Management Director Rob Gross informed commissioners that he could purchase the AED for $1,600, which is a special price the countyís insurance company received in conjunction with the Minnesota Safety Council.

The county will also spend about $300 to have it placed in a box that has an alarm system built into it.

Gross explained that the AED has a ìsmartî system and will walk a person through the procedure of using it. Also, of someone is already trained in using it, that person can bypass the voice commands.

The county plans to also spend $300 to $600 on training sessions. Gross recommended there be two to three people on each floor of the courthouse trained on the machine.

Board meeting time changes

The county board will change its board meeting to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays effective May 4. Committee meetings will be held at 10:00 a.m.

Rick Jackson receives award

Houston County Attorney Rick Jackson received an award from the Houston County Victim Services, at the April 20 meeting, honoring him for his work in protecting victimís rights.

ìHeís met with victims and is very respectful of what they have to say and encourages them,î Michelle Herman, victim services director said.

Jackson attributes his 8-1/2 years as a police officer for being able to empathize with victims. ìIíd see victims when it just happens and I find it easier to see how it feels for them. I really appreciate this,î he said.

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