Caledonia Argus

Solid waste contract talks continue

Posted: 5/4/04

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Houston County will have legal counsel present at its next meeting with La Crosse County regarding the extension of the solid waste agreement.

That was the direction commissioners gave Environmental Services Director Rick Frank at the Tuesday, April 28 meeting.

Frank came before board members asking if the board would be interested in having its board chair meet with La Crosse Countyís board chair to discuss the contract extension. The idea had not yet been discussed with La Crosse Countyís board chair, but had been discussed between himself and Brian Tippets, La Crosse County waste manager.

Commissioner Kevin Kelleher did not favor the idea. ìThis is bad negotiations. Itís not the way you do business. We set up two people [in committee] to be knowledgeable about this,î he said.

Commissioner Larry Graf noted that since the contract negotiations began, the committee has met once or twice with the La Crosse County board.

Kelleher emphasized Houston Countyís need for counsel. ìWeíre talking about hundreds of millions of dollars. So, when we dance to music, Iíd like to have my counsel. I donít feel comfortable with board chair to board chair.

Frank added that Doyle will probably have his own staff with him during the meeting.

Kelleher said Houston County needs to bring its own staff. ìI donít think you enter the den of thieves without ammunition.î

Commissioner Ann Thompson noted, ìIím fine meeting with them, if itís an informal meeting.î

Commissioner Graf questioned, ìIs it better to meet without counsel. Itís not cheap, Kevin.î

ìNo, but Iíll be in my seventies [when this contract is done],î responded Kelleher.

He pointed out that La Crosse county has already rejected the contract proposal that their counsel used to create and so it is time to meet them with counsel.

Commissioner Corcoran agreed, ìMaybe this will clarify some things right off the bat.î

The date of the meeting will be set according to everyoneís schedule.

Jail issue discussed

Commissioner Thompson reported a recent jail meeting she attended where the need to send out an Request for Proposals (RFP) to look for consulting companies was discussed.

ìI think weíre putting the feelers out. We need to be looking at it very seriously soon,î she said.

ìAn RFP is to get someone to help you get started with site selection, public meetings, financing and bonding,î explained Thompson.

Commissioner Graf groaned at the idea of dealing with the financing aspect. ìIt is nerve wracking. This jail will last a lot longer than the garbage [contract with La Crosse].î

Kelleher noted that the jail expansion in La Crosse County did not provide enough room for inmates for the projected 15 years.

Corcoran added, ìTwo years later, itís overcrowded.î

Thompson explained, ìThey scaled back because of public outcry.î

Kelleher noted that the county needs to look at obtaining an attorney to deal with some of the contractual issues of building a new jail. ìThe county attorney does not have expertise in construction contracts. The priority for him, as it should be, is prosecution.î

Graf suggested talking to the Association of Minnesota Counties to see if it can obtain a pool of lawyers statewide who have expertise in different areas to be used for situations such as that suggested by Kelleher.

Human Services held at 12:30

The board agreed to hold its monthly human services meeting at 12:30 p.m. It is held on the third Tuesday of each month.

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