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Minutes of
the Board of Directors Meeting
April 16, 2004
The Board of Directors of the Lancaster
County Solid Waste Management Authority met on Friday, April
16, 2004, at 7:30 a.m., at the Authority office, 1299 Harrisburg
Pike, Lancaster, PA.
ATTENDANCE
Board of Directors present were: Chairman
Musser, Ebel, Frost, Gordon, Hammel, Houck, Kassees, Rosier
and Wood. Staff present were: Warner, Buller, Forster, Lausch,
Norris, Olson, Zorbaugh and Dougherty. Also present were:
Solicitor Alex Henderson of Hartman Underhill & Brubaker;
Dick Shellenberger, Lancaster County Commissioner; Jim Klecko,
Covanta Energy; Craig Davis, R.W. Beck; David T. Fritz, Sr.,
CPA, Krista Showers, CPA and Don J. Johnson, CPA, Trout Ebersole
& Groff; and citizens as listed on the attached sign-in
sheet.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Mr. Musser asked about additions or corrections
to the minutes of the February 13, 2004 meeting. Mr. Wood
moved that the minutes be approved. Mr. Frost seconded. Mr.
Musser called a vote; the motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mary Glazier (269 Chestnut Grove Road,
Conestoga) asked new Board Member, R. Edward Gordon to introduce
himself and talk about his interests in the Solid Waste Authority.
Mr. Gordon responded that he was a native
of Lancaster, a graduate of Hempfield High School and Franklin
and Marshall College, and had held positions at a local CPA
firm, High Industries, and the Horst Group. He is presently
employed by Wohlsen Construction Company. He said his background
was primarily in accounting, tax, and finance administration,
and that he resided in Manor Township with his two daughters
who attended Penn Manor schools. He said he believed solid
waste management to be a fascinating industry, and hoped to
bring his experience in business to his Board position.
Pat Lemay (78 Sun Lane, Millersville)
stated her opposition to the proposed ethanol plant in Conoy
Township.
Barbara May (100 Red Fox Road, Millersville)
stated what she believed would be the negative impact in the
community if the proposed ethanol plant were to be built.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
- Mr. Warner reported on the following:
- Penn-Mar Ethanol
- The Conoy Township Supervisors approved a change in zoning
from agricultural to industrial for the property adjacent
to the RRF, as requested by Penn-Mar Ethanol, LLC. The zoning
amendment includes 24 different conditions that Penn-Mar
will need to satisfy prior to getting approval from the
Supervisors to proceed with the project. These issues will
be discussed during a series of Conditional Use Hearings
where Penn-Mar will give testimony as to how they are going
to satisfy those conditions.
The Authority is working on a “Draft
Cooperation Agreement”, which will define in detail
certain terms of the business relationship between Penn-Mar
and LCSWMA, should the project ultimately be approved.
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Legislation - Mr.
Warner reported on the issues in Harrisburg related to
the establishment of Renewable Portfolio Standards and
the proposed $5/ton increase in Governor Rendell’s
2004-2005 budget.
Mr. Musser asked about the Legislative
Update Breakfast held on March 3rd.
Mr. Warner said that the meeting was
very successful and had good attendance. He reported to
the Legislators exactly what the impact of the $5/ton
increase would be to Lancaster County municipalities.
He also discussed the Renewable Energy Credit issue at
the meeting. He will continue to work with the Legislators.
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Resolution No. 2004-1
- On motion by Mr. Ebel, second by Mr. Rosier and unanimous
vote, the Board adopted Resolution No. 2004-1. The resolution
authorizes the Executive Director and Solicitor to take
all actions necessary to acquire the Fasnacht Property,
either by condemnation or by purchase in lieu of condemnation,
pursuant to the Option to Purchase and Agreement for Sale
of Real Estate dated December 28, 2000, and the subsequent
Memorandum of Agreement dated March 2, 2001, for the sum
stated therein, or for such other amount approved by the
Board’s Executive Committee, and all actions previously
taken by the same, in connection with such acquisition.
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Disposition of Three Landfill
Related Residential Properties
Mr. Gordon asked what the plans were
for the existing trees on the property.
Mr. Warner explained that the healthy
trees would remain.
Mr. Ebel asked if there were salvageable
parts to the homes.
Mr. Zorbaugh replied that there was
nothing salvageable on the property.
Ms. May asked if there was any possibility
of asbestos in the roof.
Mr. Warner explained that asbestos
roofing was non-friable, and was classified as construction/demolition
waste.
Mr. Musser read the recommendation.
On motion by Ms. Hammel, second by Mr. Gordon and unanimous
vote, the Board approved the demolition of both the Wallick
(99 Chestnut Grove Road) and Fletcher (3147 River Road)
properties. The Board also approved the Executive Director
engaging a realty company to pursue the resale of the
Fasnacht property (92 Chestnut Grove Road).
Ms. Glazier asked about the Authority’s
plan for the Manning property.
Mr. Warner said that a Manor
Township resident was interested in using the land to
board horses, and that no decision had been made regarding
the house.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
- Ms. Olson reported on the following:
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
- Mr. Lausch reported on the following:
- Summary Tonnage Report
- In March, total revenue tons were 49,638 and total tip
fees were $3,019,961, both of which were close to budget
for the month. MSW deliveries were 35,265 tons and Residual
deliveries were 14,259 tons. Total tons to the Resource
Recovery Facility were 30,806 tons and the Landfill 18,718
tons. Looking at results through the first quarter of the
year, revenue tons are 130,746 tons, ahead of budget by
1.54%. Of that total, 92,634 is MSW, which is up 2.36% and
Residual is 37,864 tons which is just slightly under budget.
- Residual Waste
- An agreement was signed with F.L. Smidth for disposal
of their plant trash and sand from metal products manufacturing.
With the announcement of the closing of the Wyeth Plant
in Marietta, the Authority will not be receiving $35,000
in revenue that had been budgeted for in 2004.
- Woody Yard Waste Pilot
Program - Last year, Lancaster Township and West
Earl Township started the collection of woody yard waste.
Three more municipalities have started programs in 2004,
West Hempfield Township, Elizabethtown and West Donegal.
Also two drop off programs have started, one in Salisbury
Township and the other in Columbia Borough. Mr. Breneisen
has prepared a very comprehensive report which is available
if anyone would like a copy.
We received notice from PADEP that
we will be receiving $161,021, in addition to the $100,000,
we have already received, towards the price of the Vermeer
Wood Shredder that we purchased. This means we will recover
90% of the cost of the shredder.
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Small RRF Ferrous Scrap
Processing /Marketing Agreement - On motion by
Mr. Frost, second by Mr. Kassees, and unanimous vote, the
Board approved entering into a two-year agreement with Summit
Resources Group, Inc. to market Small RRF Ferrous Scrap,
effective June 1, 2004 through May 31, 2006, with the option
to extend for a third year.
COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM
- Ms. Buller reported on the following:
- Work on the Annual Report is underway
and Dean Design has been enlisted for their assistance with
production and design.
- The redesigned website is making
progress and is extremely easy to navigate. We are in the
process of putting content into the appropriate categories.
The project should be completed in a month or so.
- Earth Week commences on April 19th
and the Authority will be recognizing it by highlighting
its E-Cycling (Electronic Recycling). The Authority will
start accepting cell phones, in addition to computers which
are currently received, at the HHW facility. Cell phones
will be sent to Recellular who will refurbish and resell
them. They will recycle those that cannot be refurbished.
Enviro-Cycle is paying the cost of shipping. Mr. Breneisen
found a program sponsored by Panasonic whereby they supply
a digital camera to electronic recycling events such as
ours as an added incentive to get people to participate
in the program. Anyone who brings in a cell phone during
Earth Week will be entered into a raffle to win the digital
camera. HHW hours will be extended on Earth Day, Thursday,
April 22nd. The hours will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. An article
ran in the Lancaster New Era and will also run in the Sunday
News in the special Earth Week section.
OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
- Mr. Zorbaugh reported on the following:
- Administrative
- Work continues on the RRF tipping floor expansion. Covanta
hired Keystruct Construction to complete the expansion with
a bid price of $1.18 million. Activity should begin in late
April. The Authority is in the process of obtaining the
Earth Disturbance Permit for the project.
The shredder purchased by the Authority
has been at Manheim Township and will be going to Lancaster
Township. The machine is being used throughout the county.
Mr. Zorbaugh and Mr. Eshbach attended
a seminar at the Lycoming County Landfill regarding the
use of GPS Technology (Satellite Tracking Technology)
and how it relates to heavy equipment. A discussion followed.
An informational lunch was held
at all the sites to update employees on current projects,
events and policies.
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Facility Operations
- All facilities operated well during the month of March.
As spring clean-up season has arrived all facilities have
seen the seasonal increase in both tonnage and customer
traffic.
At the RRF the outbound scale decking was replaced. The
decking is expected to last 15 - 20 years.
The FFLF sub cell 5B was prepared
for waste acceptance and began receiving waste on March
31st. The opening of this cell coincides with the scheduled
spring outages at the RRF which allows the Authority to
utilize all bypassed waste for the DEP required select
waste layer in sub cell 5B.
The Authority will host a DEP pilot
training program for new DEP Technical Employees in May.
They will be looking at land, air and water issues as
they relate to a landfill. The FFLF was selected because
of the excellent environmental record it holds.
The HHW Manager has prepared a grant
application in the amount of $45,215 for half of the facility’s
operating expenses for the second half of 2003.
- Safety - There
were no accidents resulting in a lost time injury at any
of the Authority facilities during March.
Plans are being developed for a truck driver safety/operational
seminar. The seminar will address preventative maintenance,
driving techniques and driver safety.
- Purchase of Lubricants
- On motion by Mr. Kassees, second by Mr. Gordon and unanimous
vote, the Board approved the award of the contract for lubricants
to Tri-County Petroleum, Inc. for the period of May 1, 2004
through April 30, 2005.
- Purchase of an Eight
Passenger Sport Utility Vehicle - On motion by
Mr. Ebel, second by Mr. Frost and unanimous vote, the Board
approved the award of the contract for the purchase of a
Ford Expedition to New Holland Ford for the bid price of
$27,866.63.
- Purchase of Commercial
Lawn Mower - On motion by Mr. Rosier, second by
Mr. Wood and unanimous vote, the Board approved the award
of the contract for the purchase of a John Deere 1445 Commercial
mower to Landis Brothers, Inc. for $16,815. The mower will
be purchased through a piggyback on the state contract.
RRF CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
- Mr. Forster reported on the following:
- Site Operations
- Electric revenues were very strong, up $49,000, primarily
due to the timing of the outages.
Unit #2 had two minor tube leaks during
the month. The unit ran 89% of the time.
Unit #1 developed problems with its
ID fan bearing. A replacement bearing was put in and that
also failed. Due to the failure, Covanta went into the
spring outage on the unit.
Unit #3 operated throughout the month
without a problem, and was brought down as scheduled for
its spring outage.
All three residue handling systems
(bottom ash, fly ash, and ferrous) were shutdown so that
Covanta could replace the main pan liner. The abrasiveness
of the ash residue eventually takes its toll on the liner
and periodic replacement is necessary. Covanta was able
to complete the work in about 2 days’ time.
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Regulatory Activities
- Randy Weiss of DEP was on site for an inspection on
March 18th. He was pleased with what he saw with pit drawdown
and other activities.
Final ash test results were received,
and both cadmium and lead concentrations in the ash are
well below the federal thresholds.
Covanta reported that there were no
air emission exceedances during the month of March.
- Other Activities
- The Tipping Floor Expansion building permit was received.
The next step is to submit the Erosion and Sediment Control
Plan for the project to the Lancaster County Conservation
District on April 19th. Construction and expansion should
begin in late April.
- 2003 RRF Audit Presentation
- Mr. Forster introduced Craig Davis, who gave a brief presentation
and overview of R. W. Beck’s annual audit of the RRF.
Mr. Davis visited the site twice in 2003 to perform site
and plant walkdowns as well as to do a thorough review of
Covanta’s operational logs and maintenance records.
Mr. Warner added that Mr. Davis represented an independent
engineer, hired by the Authority to do a thorough annual
report; in the report Mr. Davis gave his opinion on the
condition and operating and maintenance procedures applied
to the Authority’s investment by Covanta Energy, and
whether those procedures were within the scope and responsibility
of the Service Agreement.
Mr. Warner asked Mr. Davis to comment on the general condition
of the plant, considering it was 13 years old.
Mr. Davis said the facility was in
good shape, particularly after a major overhaul year.
He said the current condition of the plant was very good,
and that Covanta recognized the importance of renewable
and replacement and restoration activity, all of which
were ongoing at the plant. He reported that aesthetically
the plant was pleasing, and that typical wear and tear
was to be expected. Mr. Davis summed up by saying the
facility was in very good shape and had a very good staff
running it.
Mr. Kassees asked about the facility’s
efficiency rating.
Mr. Davis reported that the plant’s
availability, at an average of 92% during a major cycle
year, was an exceptional level of performance, and was
consistent with what they had achieved in the past.
Ms. Hammel asked Mr. Forster to provide
an update to the Board on the items listed in Section
3, page 5 of the audit.
Mr. Warner explained, for the benefit
of the public, that Mr. Forster reviewed items on the
audit with Covanta, and followed up to make sure they
were being addressed.
Mr. Forster replied that the items
were discussed in monthly meetings, and that Covanta was
given a certain amount of time to address them.
Mr. Warner added that the Board might
not have been aware of monthly meetings between Authority
managers and Covanta, whereby the facility’s operations
were discussed in detail, items were identified that needed
to be examined, timetables were established to address
them, etc.
Ms. Hammel asked for follow-up regarding
the items that needed to be addressed.
Mr. Davis noted that the report
indicated whether the previous year’s recommendations
were resolved, and that the issues in 2002 were resolved
to their satisfaction.
TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
- Mr. Norris reported on the following:
- Capital Projects
Transfer Station Design Work continues with Gannett Fleming
on assembly of the Permit Application for the new Transfer
Station. Gannett Fleming has just completed the first
draft and it is expected that the application will be
delivered to the Department by the end of April. Also
in April, meetings will be held with LASA and the City
of Lancaster to begin discussions regarding approvals
for the new TS and for remediation of the CFI site.
The process of removing the tanks, pipes and concrete
bases from the CFI property has begun. Work should be
completed by the end of April.
A meeting was held with SCS Engineers to review their
report relative to alternative uses for the CW/FF LF gas.
The Construction Certification approvals for Cell 5 and
Creswell Landfill Gas projects were received from the
Department in March.
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Facilities Compliance and
Assurance - Work has begun on the Act 220 Registrations.
This Act requires all users of 10,000 gallons of water per
day (averaged over any 30-day period) to register their
water withdrawal and usage to DEP. Registrations will be
submitted for both the RRF and CW/FF LF.
- Phase 3 Capping Construction
- On motion by Mr. Kassees, second by Ms. Hammel and unanimous
vote, the Board approved entering into an Agreement with
Weston Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $1,628,703 for the
Phase 3 Capping Construction.
On motion by Mr. Frost, second by Mr. Ebel, the Board approved
retaining ARM Group for the Professional Services (resident
engineer, construction quality control/assurance and certification
report) required related to Phase 3 Capping Construction
in an amount estimated at $195,000.
Mr. Gordon asked if ARM Group designed
the project.
Mr. Norris said yes, but not as part
of the original permit application which was completed
in 1986 or so.
Mr. Warner said that as technology
continued to improve, changes to the original design were
sometimes necessary.
CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mr. Warner reported that the CAC met on April 14th, and that
Tim Breneisen gave a very detailed Power Point Presentation
on the Woody Yard Waste Project, the results of the pilot
programs, and the Authority’s plans for the future of
the program. The CAC also received an update on the Transfer
Station design and the ethanol project. Mr. Warner said the
CAC was scheduled to meet again in August, and planned to
take a field trip to see the Landfill Capping and Waste-to-Energy
Tipping Floor Expansion construction projects.
Mr. Warner added that Al Kozlowski, who
was a retired chemical engineer and had served on the CAC
since its inception, had passed away a few weeks ago. Mr.
Warner remarked on Mr. Kozlowski’s remarkable record
of volunteer service with the CAC.
Mr. Musser asked how many people were
on the CAC.
Mr. Warner said that it was approximately14
people.
Dick Shellenberger (Lancaster County Commissioner)
remarked that he was glad to attend his first Board of Directors
meeting of the Authority. He said that he was repeatedly impressed
with the quality and expertise of the Authority. He added
that he was proud to be a Commissioner [of a County] that
had an Authority that operated in this manner.
Mr. Rosier said as a member of the Audit
Committee he wanted to commend Carol Olson and her staff on
such a well prepared audit.
Mr. Rosier reported that he accompanied
Mr. Warner to a recent SWANA Keystone Chapter meeting, and
that he recommended that other Board members attend future
meetings.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board went into Executive Session
at 9:40 a.m. to discuss a real estate matter.
OTHER BUSINESS
The regular Board meeting reconvened at
10:05 a.m.
There was no further business to come
before the Board.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Mr. Frost, second by Mr.
Kassees and unanimous vote, the Board meeting adjourned at
10:08 a.m.
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE LANCASTER COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY THIS
11TH DAY OF JUNE 2004
Barbara B. Hammel, Secretary
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