Highlights of the St. Cloud Council meeting 3/14/13

Highlights of the St. Cloud Council meeting 3/14/13 regarding the St. Cloud landfill project: http://www.stcloud.org/MediaCenter.aspx?VID=147

(Note: This is my interpretation of meeting. Please feel free to add comment or information, as you see relevant).

Veronica Miller, Public Works, had put this on agenda, as a deadline of 3/31/13 was approaching, and she wanted to provide an update and forum for discussion relating to the status and progress of the project.

It was her recommendation to council to continue to proceed, since much work had been undergone, and major steps had been completed.

Mr. Wood explained that there was a discrepancy in the permitting fee, specifically what is was being based upon: His understanding was that it included only equipment on the pad, resulting in a fee of around $2000. Ms. Miller's understanding was that 6000ft of pipe was to be additionally included, raising the fee to $15-20000 range.

Mr. Wood stated to the council that they could and would pay the higher fee if required, however, it was an "over budget" amount, and if it could be avoided, it should.

Council was supportive of proceeding, in light of the proximity of commencement, and also of the work involved by Miller's staff and office. Ms. Hopper was somewhat "less than ambitious", however, she did state that she was still behind the process.

Mr. Holmes requested if TEI could meet with Miller's office and hammer out a fairly definite timeline going forward. Mr. Wood responded that prior to the next council meeting (3/28/13), he, along with engineers and contractors, should be able to collect details of further requirements, and provide a fairly decent timetable. He stated,"Once we have the Notice to Proceed, we are ready to begin construction."

Mr. Wood also recommended that a ground breaking ceremony be scheduled, because it was "good for the city, and for the state", and also because there is national attention watching this project. He suggested that maybe there be national coverage of the groundbreaking event.

Council closed the agenda issue with an agreement to meet at the next meeting, and discuss construction/completion timelines and any other outstanding issues.