09-21-2009 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes September 21, ZOD9 Page 1 ~ Steve scorn, 22336 Watson Street ~ Ridges o£ Rice Lake resident ~ agreed with tlae visual impact comments made by Gene Thompson and is opposed to the expansion. He asked if the EIS is still a valid study as there have been many changes to the first proposal by Waste Management. Counselor Beck stated the EIS, performed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, is still valid as the changes to tlae proposal decreased the size of the landfill. Terry ~orre11,10752 -171St Avenue, supports the expansion of the landfill. Angela IVlathison, 2382 Tipton, stated her comments and concerns in opposition to the expansion have been submitted in writing to tlae Council. She states she hopes that Waste Management would continue their stewardship to the citizens and businesses of the City should the council deny their request for expansion, Gary Sauer, Tiller Corporation, stated he felt Elk River had a lot of developable land that would be available for approximately 40 or 50 years to develop before he could see the area around the landfill being ready to develop, Kevin IVordby, 5970 Lake Linden Court, Shorewood, represents RRT, and commented on the dependence of RRT to the landfill and how a landfill will always be a necessary component in the solid waste processes. He stated they feel lucky to have an environmentally sound landfill as a partner to take residual waste that RRT can't recover, and says RRT will be out of business very shortly if the landfill isn't allowed to expand. He felt GRE will also struggle should the request to expand the landfill be dented. He feels these businesses work very well together and a lot would change if the landfill closes. Mayor I~linzing closed the public hearing. Mayor I~.%nzing began by stating this decision was the hardest decision she's had to make in the 11 years of being Mayor of Elk River. She's heard comments from everyone regarding this request for expansion, from other businesses in town and out, from residents, and from employees of the landfdl. She stated the current instability of GRE and the RDF plant has nothing to do with whether or not the landfill is allowed to expand and remain open, it has to do with them obtaining the necessary contracts to continue bringing in the amount of garbage to keep the plants going. She agrees the community support of Waste Management is important and appreciated. She stated citizens weighed jin very heavy on this and the majority of them expressed they do not want the expansion approved as it will continue to cause a negative image of the City. She stated she also heard from businesses and realtors, who state they have a hard time bringing in newcomers to Elk River because of the landfill. She stated the residents of the Ridges o£ Rice Lake are ready to challenge tlae City's decision should they choose to expand the landfill. She reels that denial of the expansion of the landfill won't mean the end of Energy City; the Learning Center will remain open, and the landfill will still continue to generate methane to be burned off. She feels the issue is. does tlae City have the authority to control land use in a way to benefit the City as a wholes She stated the Comprehensive Plan should be followed. A good source of tax base needs to be found in order to continue the plan's goal of staying rural. It will tale some time to change the image of the City to attract the kinds of businesses and industry desired. Future decisions of the council on land use will impact the ultimate use of this land and the surrounding area. She will not support the expansion of the landfill,