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Mounds View Planning Commission March 15, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 5 ________________________________________________________________________ beneficial uses, such as selling as compost. He mentioned that there are a couple similar facilities in other states, such as Washington and Michigan. Commissioner Miller asked how long it would take to unload a truck. She noted possible public concerns regarding noise and odor. Mr. Brisbin replied unloading a truck only takes 7 to 10 minutes and would happen completely inside the building. He added there would be no noise or odor. Commissioner Zwirn asked what happens to the end product. He also asked if anything is stored onsite. Mr. Brisbin replied the dry end product is shipped offsite with nothing stored onsite. Commissioner Scotch asked the location and how long the factory in Michigan has been in operation. She also asked about equipment maintenance. Mr. Brisbin replied the factory is in Traverse City and has been open for two years. He added the equipment needs to be maintained about every 10 years. Daily, sprayers wash down the equipment and workers clean the floor and polish the machines. Chair Stevenson asked if the same trucks take back the filtrated water. Mr. Brisbin replied it goes from their equipment straight into the Met Council’s line, the City sewer line. Commissioner Zwirn asked where the 5,000 gallon tanks shown on the building plan will be located and the composition. Mr. Brisbin replied the tanks will be inside the plant above ground and are made of ¼ inch steel. Commissioner Scotch asked how often they expect EPA inspections. Leo Hermes from the Met Council replied that Merlin’s business would need to get permits from the Met Council who would regulate and inspect the business in place of the EPA. Currently the program involves discharge points into the system. This processing center will eliminate a number of disposal sites and improve others; therefore, there is a need for this within the private sector. Like other companies, this business would be permitted and they would need to comply with the rules and pay the City for sewer use. Commissioner Miller asked how large of an area trucks will come from to use this facility. Mr. Hermes replied they would be able to close four of their sites in the northern suburbs; Forest Lake, Coon Rapids, Brooklyn Park and Plymouth, since trucks would come mainly from the northern metro area. Commissioner Scotch asked about toxicity and how often it would be monitored. Mr. Hermes replied the Met Council Environmental Services issues permits that stand in place of a state or federal permit. He added it is unlikely the EPA would come in unless there was an issue. There is a staff of engineers from the Met Council that inspect these facilities at least once a year, if not more. Commissioner Zwirn asked why the Met Council wants to close these outer facilities. Mr. Hermes replied the type of materials entering the system has caused problems with losing pipe capacity and corrosion. There is currently no monitoring at these sites so haulers are dumping things that shouldn’t be put in the sewer system, which is adding to the build up and corrosion of