Minutes - Council - 09/10/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Terry Miller of WMMI replied that the yard waste is being accepted and is being land-spread over a nine acre area. Sharon Dahlgren inquired as to the proposed size of the yard waste facility. Mr. Terry Miller replied that the proposal is for a 23 ton facility which will be monitored through the use of gate receipts issued when incoming material is weighed. Sharon Dahlgren inquired if the proposal is to utilize Rutger's Low Level Technology. Mr. Steve Kollodge replied that, in general, WMMI will be using Rutger's Low Level Technology. Sharon Dahlgren stated that WMMI's proposal for their facility more closely resembles Rutger's Minimal Technology Facility. Mr. Kollodge noted that the proposal does include windrows with a maximum height of 10 feet and a maximum width of 20 feet but the windrows do not have to be that large to begin with. Sharon Dahlgren stated that she would like to see a more detailed proposal from WMMI as eliminating some of the process steps could lead to more severe odor problems. The greatest single factor dealing with odor is aeration and the best way to achieve that is with a windrow machine. Sharon referred to the Woodbury facility which has smaller windrows than WMMI is proposing and utilizes a windrow machine for quicker decomposition. The Lakeville facility has larger windrows than WMMI is proposing but they have an aeration system built into them. Sharon Dahlgren then referred to health concerns and noted that leaf composting produces spores called aspergillus fumigatus which do travel up to a mile away from the site and contribute to health problems for site workers and residents in the area. Those that could be affected by this spore are people afflicted with asthma, ruptured ear drams or a weakened immune system. The migration of this spore can be controlled by keeping odors to a low level and monitoring carefully for a moisture content. These are the reasons why she is asking specific questions about the technology proposed for WMMI's site. Sharon Dahlgren noted that she is in favor of yard waste composting but she wants to be sure that it is done properly. Angela Heinen, 6370 - 143rd Lane N.W. - stated that she is a future taxpayer and has lived in Ramsey all her life and she feels her neighborhood should not be subjected to another type of waste site in addition to the landfill. Angela stated that she is concerned with health and odor problems related to a yard waste facility and that she is speaking for her entire neighborhood when she says the residents don't need or want the yard waste facility to be approved. Becky Lemke, 14361 Uranium Street N.W. - stated that she has contacted staff at Rutger's University and they are advising cities not to accept grass clippings in yard waste compost facilities because of odor problems and nitrogen leachate getting into ground water. Rutger's grass composting studies won't be available for another one and one half years. Harlan Rude, 6219 - 144th Lane N.W. - noted that the nearest residence to the proposed yard waste compost facility is 650 feet and when the windrows are turned, the residents of Hunter's Hill will be subjected to the odors. Merland Otto noted that he received a letter from Mrs. Sharon Dahlgren and Rebecca Lemke which points out the inconsistencies between Waste Management's proposal and Rutger's manual. Mr. Hartley noted that City Council adopted Resolution #90-02-48 on February 13, 1990 which indicates that the City Council is opposed to locating landfill related activities in the buffer area of City Council/September 10, 1990 Page 5 of 10