Posted: 11/21/06
County switches recycling companies
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Houston Countyís recyclables will go to a new site starting the first of the year.
Commissioners approved a three year contract with Waste Management in La Crosse.
Environmental Services director Rick Frank recommended the change after analyzing bids from Waste Management and the current company that the county uses, Hilltoppers Refuse and Recycling.
The Hilltopper bids for both comingled rigids and mixed papers were lower than the Waste Management bids. But Hilltoppers is undergoing changes that will result in delays that will cost the county in the long run, Frank said. It is enlarging its dumping area, which has caused a temporary lack of floor space that could cause delays. It will also not have weigh scale installed until next spring.
The result is that county workers will end up waiting to dump their loads, Frank said. Hilltoppers, which is located in Onalaska, is also seven miles farther to travel than Waste Management, which is in La Crosse.
Frank said he discussed his concerns with Hilltoppers and they understood them. They told him they did not want a dissatisfied customer but they do want a shot at the bid in three years.
Building rental for equipment
In other business, the board approved renting a building owned by Joe Rud west of the highway department shop for storing equipment.
Maintenance supervisor Tom Molling recommended renting the quonset-style building. ěIt would really free up some shop space for me,î he said. He wants to store two graders, a loader, and a one ton flatbed truck in it.
The $500 per month agreement will go from November 15 to April 15.
Commissioner Kevin Kelleher asked if the money was in the highway departmentís budget. Molling responded that he didnít know, but it would save the county on cost of equipment in the long run by having it stored in a building.
Mausí hours changed
In personnel news, Tammy Mauss, assistant county surveyor, was changed from full time to .9 full time equivalent.
County surveyor Dick Walter said he didnít like it because they have a full schedule, but said he also realized that the county needs to accommodate good employees. He said he would work with the highway department to fill areas that need it in Maussí absence.
Graf asked if surveying jobs didnít usually need two people.
Yes, about 75 percent of the time, Walter answered.
ěBut one day every two weeks isnít a lot,î personnel director Tim Comstock said.
Walter said he felt he has had a productive department for many years.
In other personnel news, the board approved adding Judy St. mary to payroll to be used as needed as a jail transport matron. They also approved a $775 expenditure to convert a portion of the law library into an office for the safety/security officer/emergency manager office. Kurt Kuhlers was recently hired for that position. The office is located across from the courtroom on the second floor of the courthouse.
Other business
ď Deer farm meeting: Carl Denkinger from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health and Scott Fritz, Minnesota DNR conservation officer, will attend the November 28 county board meeting at 10 a.m. to answer questions about deer that escape from deer farms or hunting preserves. The board requested them to attend a meeting after hearing concerns about a deer that escaped from a from a rural Houston deer breeding pen in October.
ď New EDA board member: The board approved the appointment of Tom Falbo, Spring Grove, as new member of the Economic Development Authority board. He replaces Kermit McRae of Caledonia. Kelleher said he approved of Falboís appointment, but said the board should be careful not to get the EDA too loaded with government employees. Falbo is the Spring Grove city administrator.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com