Minutes - Council - 07/14/1988 - Public Hearing

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of the proposed Atlas site; my home in Anoka is located 2.5 miles directly to the east of Atlas' proposed site. I am in the manufacturing business and in Ramsey and in Minnesota today, we have problems; more problems than what we can handle with all the different taxes, workman's comp, etc. I can build iron and weld; I employ 17. Commercial and industrial property pays 6 times more real estate taxes per $1,000 of assessed value than residential property does. Being in my business, I pay an awful lot of taxes; I and the other commercial properties have the tax burden in Ramsey. To have a facility like Atlas is proposing would be a dream. I am no expert as far as pollution is concerned. I have been attending soma of the informational meetings and public hearings about Atlas because I am interested in the commercial and industrial part of Ramsey because that is where I am 70 hours a week. I also serve on the Economic Development Commission for Ramsey. Being in the position that I am in now, I would recommend that the City Council allow the Atlas facility to come into Ramsey. Douglas Fountain - 15255 Garnet Street N.W. - My property is located approximately 1200 feet from the northwest corner of the proposed Atlas site. I would be glad to welcome Atlas to Ramsey. The City Council can find very good essential information about incineration in the July 22, 1988 issue of the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. Incineration is new to the U.S., consequently, we are all afraid. Incineration has been used for decades in European countries and I urge Council to approve Atlas' request for a conditional use permit. A1Heifort - 8421 167th Lane - I have installed some of these incinerators and everything coming out of the smoke stacks is sterilized. I don't believe there is anything wrong with the gases coming out of the machine as long as it is operated properly; I am concerned that the incinerators will be operated properly. I have seen so many incinerators that were not operated properly and am excited about Atlas operating them. Sue Rydbom - 8021 177th Avenue - I am with the STERN Committee. (At this point, Sue asked members of the audience opposing Atlas' request to stand; members of the audience responded.) The May issue of the Ramsey Resident stated that Atlas is not proposing to burn hazardous waste. MPCA has issued a letter in which they repeat their comments from a February 10 letter which states that since the Atlas facility is intending to burn medical waste, preparation of an environmental assessment worksheet is mandatory. Hazardous waste as defined in Minnesota Statute Section 110.16, subdivision 13 states that "hazardous waste means any refuse, because of it's infectious characteristics may Cause or significantly contribute to an increase in serious irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness or pose a substantial presence or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported or disposed of or otherwise managed. With reference to this Minnesota Statute, will Atlas be classified as a hazardous waste facility? I believe what is on paper more than what people tell me. In the Elk River Star article, Mr. Labat did not mention the fact that ash would be shipped to Wisconsin or Iowa because it is hazardous. Three Mile Island was also state-of-the-art. Ramsey's taxes will be going up and property values will be going down and lives will be in danger; I am opposed to Atlas' proposal. City Council Public Hearing/July 14, 1988 Page 6 of 15