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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977.04.12 CC Minutes - Special Meeting APRIL 12, 1977 MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON PROPOS�j Z LANDFILL IN HUGO ,(r Meeting called to order at 8:08 P.M. PRESENT: LaValle, Schletty, Spitzer, Irsfeld, and Vail. Dick Harold and Bill Schwabwere also in attendance representing Washington County. Don Farb represented the Metro Council. Mayor LaValle expressed his thanks to all residents for their attendance at the meeting. Mayor LaValle noted that the Washington .County and Metro Council rep- resentatives are not the decision makers. Dick Harold, Washingtion County Highway Department, stated that before the landfill in Lake Elmo closed in 1975, they looked at a proposed site in Afton. The Metro Council turned down this site, and Washington County was instructed to find alternate locations. The computer narrowed the selections to three possible sites (Hugo, May Township, and Oakdale). Hickok and Associates is now studying the feasibility of these three sites. Their studies should be completed approximately May 3, 1977. After their conclusions are presented to the County Board, they will decide what they are going to do. Bill Schwab, Washington County Planning, stated the reason Ramsey County is usifg land for waste in Washingtion County is because of the Metro Council's Solid Waste Management Plan. There is no site available in Ramsey County. Certain criteria will be considered in determinimg the landfill site, example: the site size, water table, location, gross capacity, soil conditions, and the surrounding area. On site investigation are now being made. Dick Harold - When the consultant comes in with their recommendations, a detailed engineering review will be done. A public hearing will also have to be held. Don Farb, Metro Council, stated that the application will either be approved or disapproved when submitted to the Pollution Control *ancy. The PCA has 90 days to act on the application, 60 days, of which, goes to the Metro Council for their consideration. The meeting was then opened for questions from local residents. Dick Postsmith asked for the exact location on the Pap. Spitzer illustrated the area on the map. Bill Wunderlich - When will the dump be utilized? Schwab - The report from Hickok is due May 3, 1977. It will then be reviewed by the County Board. Mr. Schwab estimated the time to be around two years. Jeanette Hausted - How much traffic will there be on County Road 4? Dick Harold - 2800 cubic yards a day or approximately 70 trucks a day. Mike McAllister - How much effort is being spent by Washington County in looking to alternatives? Schwab - The last 2i years have been spent in looking for alternate methods. Two or three companies have discussed transfer stations, and the Metro Waste Commission has done research. Don Farb - Studies have been done with no hard and fact recommendations. There are certain r,Osks to be considered before alternate would be operable, such as: (1) run economically, (2) adequate market, (3) the technical reliability, and (4) the financial self-sufficiency. 2 Q1ike Gillen- You could receive a traffic count from Mel Leash, Dept. of Transpor- ` tation. Mr. Gillen stated that a survey was made in 1970, and 94% of the solid waste landfills were dumps. Has the percentage changed? Gillen also stated that the last runs of the trucks would be made during Hugo's largest amount of traffic. Don Farb replied that solid waste landfills is a relatively new issue, and are subject to federal legislation, which bans any facility that is an open dump. The metro area has no open dumps. Tony Niemczyk - Are yoga going to use borcite as a sealer at the dump? That sealer was used . on Lake Phalen, and they still haven't plugged the hole. Dick Harold - Bentonite will be used, and does make an acceptable sealer. Joe McCoy - Doesn't Metro or PCA say there should be distance of 1000' of occupied dwelling or 1000' of wetland? Harold - This is part of the study going on. Al Lemker - If the people of Hugo decide we don't .',anti the dump, would the Metro Council policy go along with our wishes? Farb - The members of the Council will make a decision. There is no policy. It will depend on how engineering and public policy are addressed. Leon Muellner - Has Ramsey County done any study on incineration? Farb - St. Paul is negotiating with a firm for incineration. Marcia Warned - What happens with road breakdowns? Who's going to pay? Harold - Washington County would repair any county roads. Hugo would have to main- tain the city streets. Erwin Ramsey - How long would County Road 4 last with 70 trucks a day? Harold - Surface should be good for 10 to 15 years. Ruby Danielson - The dump would be at the head of St. Paul's water system. What about contamination? Harold - That would be part of the engineering study. Would probably be more con- cerned with area wells. Taylor Strickland - Would 400 or 500 acres be lost for taxes for 25 to 30 years? Schwab - The land would go back to agricultural use. The land would be taken off the tax roll, and could take 20 years. Ramsey County would participate on a 2/3 - 1/3 basis. Paul Schmann - Will the land be purchased out right or condemned? Schwab - Two appraisers would be hired by the county to determine market value. If owner refused appraised price, the county would initiate condemnation proceedings . Three appraisers would be hired by the courts to determine market value. It could possible 4o to court with a jury trial. Jim Houle - Would adjacent property owners be compensated for depreciation to their land? Schwab -. Not sure of criteria. There should be no depreciation of surrounding lands. If there is a question concerning devaluation of the land, could file a lawsuit. APRIL 12, 1977 29 Pagen — What about control of rats and flies? Harold — There would have to be earth cover over the refuge every day. Mr. Harold did not know the exact measures of control. Art Hanson — If they take May Township, will they come back in 10 years for the land in Hugof Schwab — It is possible. Hanson — Can we compile an environmental impact statement, and ask they be answered? Harold — Yea. Mr. Chapman — What is the aompetance of the computer? Schwab — Washington County has done detailed studies. I cannot answer for the others Mammy ICoeller — What is this dump going to do to the air? Harold — The air quality would be addressed in the environmental impact statement. Jerry Dabe — How did Washington'County get selected? Farb — There are dumps in the following locations: 2 in Anoka County with 3500 acre feet left 4 in Dakota County with 7000 acre feet left 3 in Hennepin County with 3000 acre feet left 1 in Scott County with 1600 acre feet left Ramsey County does not have a landfill because of the level of development. George Butters — What is the cost of transportation as opposed to the use of barges? Schwab — Washingtdn County has looked at transfer stations. The second handling would make it more expensive. Walter Standord — How can we best oppose this? Schwab — You will have to know what is being proposed. Require government agencies to do as much study as necessary, and then analyze what they have done. Farb — Be in an informed position. Meeting closed at 10:00 P.M. IC-furt_o alk)atti24., Carol A. Williams, Clerk City of Hugo