January 16, 2007
Observer: Marcia Walters
1. The Commissioners approved two contracts in the solid waste department: one with the State of Minnesota for funding of hazardous waste management and the other a contract for residential pickup. The department head, Michael Cook, cautioned the board that trucks featuring separate bins for separating recyclables are getting hard to secure and that the county will need to start examining how their facility will handle recycling if items are received not separated.
2. Planning and Zoning's Julie Runkel presented the department's 2007 work plan and the their five-year plan. The five main goals for this year are: (a) to increase pro-active communication and education in all P&Z areas; (b) to protect ground and surface waters from storm water runoff contamination; (c) to implement new state code changes, including building code, sewage treatment systems, feedlot and subdivision ordinances; (d) increasing technology utilization -- software, website, etc.; and (e) strengthen partnerships with other county departments.
3. The search for an economic development director is being concluded with the commissioners interviewing three finalists on January 23, or if that isn't feasible, on February 13. There is no meeting on the final Tuesday in January and the first meeting in February is slated to be a legislative meeting in St. Paul. Also, at the January 23 meeting, the commissioners will discuss the shoreland PUD ordinance revision.
