Meeting Agenda
Date: Thursday, November 18th, 2010
Time: 10 am
Location: The Bavarian Inn & Restaurant
713S.Main St.
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
Meeting Agenda
1. Introduction and Attendance
Ice Breaker: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
MWEA Active Biosolids Committee List – please indicate:
a. Attendance: Ben Stuart, Diana Seifert, Jeff Pugh, Jim Johnson, Greg Merricle, Kari Saganski, and Steve Mahoney
b. MWEA membership status
2. Acceptance/revision of prior meeting minutes
Approved online.: Ben sent minutes of September meeting
3. MDNRE Update & MDA Update
a. Jim Johnson – State Biosolids Coordinator
i. Biosolids Managers class in Cabelas in Dundee, 40 people there (max), many people were from current land application programs. OTU: Doug Hill retiring, Dan Holmquist surgery, uncertian, Eric Way (chief) retiring, Jim would like both the Managers training and the Appliers training combined and have MWEA run it.
ii. MTA: Educational Conference: Booth requisition denied. Section chief contacted MTA for a gratis booth: MTA said no. Presidence, sell out booths, non-profit rate.
iii. Internal MDNRE concerns: Retirements: Biosolids Currently operated under the NPDES program, Entire NPDES management is retiring, leaving permit writers and secretaries. Retirements hitting WRD and ERMD hard. Fees: NPDES have to be renewed, not many people S do this. Solid Waste Fees: Not enough to cover program, program may go away. Becky Humphries leaving to Ducks Unlimited.
b. Greg Merricle: Was 50% biosolids and 50% solid waste, Solid Waste program has no money, now 100% biosolids, but not full FTE work. Field: trivial complaints, Bio-Tech crew at field told curious neighbor to [Buzz Off] at a field receiving Jackson biosolids.
c. Dave Schipper (from Jim Johnson): Biosolids applied from Berrien Springs on field in Bertrand Twp (Berrien Co.) . Neighbors upset with flagging, farmer. Field next to subdivision.
d. Steve Mahoney –
i. MSU faculty position letter: Kari talked to Tim Lynch, and said that it’s okay to send letter. Kari agreed to sign. Ben made the motion to elect Kari to sign, Seconded by SM, motion carried.
ii. Newsletter: Will draft next issue…
iii. Retirements: 3 in ESD, many in other divisions…
iv. Weare Twp. Suit: swine facility
v. MDA MTA Exhibit… RTF with farm land
4. MWEA Update
a. Biosolids Person of the Year – need final committee approval: Nominee: approved
b. No booth at MTA. Could private people sponsor the booth, 4 - $200.00 sponsors … Synagro will check
5. Items from the Chair/Officers
a. Calendar Dates – please bring additional dated for last chance addition to calendar
b. Nov. 23: MWEA board meeting:
c. Dec. 1: MWEA Executive Officers meeting with MDNRE WRD people: Creal, Ostland, Klemens
d. Dec. 8: Holiday party Young professionals Eagle Eye, 4:00 p.m.
6. Subcommittee Activities
a. Expos: Exhibit at MTA and the MSTA?
b. Seminar: Discuss Charlevoix Seminar: $2,000.00 profit good comments, went well, food good, Summarize Comment Sheets, Financials
c. Government Affairs: Opening Biosolids Law – We need to find a Democrat to support opening the law? Septage Bill SB 1436
7. Online Activities
a. Facebook: current information, potential topics
b. MWEA Website: (http://www.mi-wea.org/biosolids.php): sent to Karlyn…
8. Other – New Business, National or Local Biosolids News, other
a. Dianna Seifert at the Michigan Hay and Forage council, grass shanks in hay fields – March 10th at the Kellogg Center in Lansing. Dianna offered to share the presentation with the group at our January Meeting …
b. Governer-Elect Snyder has a “Reinvent Michigan” Suggestion website (www.governorelectricksnyder.com/), go to Get Involved >Submit and Idea to Reinvent MI, to request that Fee-based programs retain their funds to support stakeholders not other programs determined by DMB.
9. Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 19th, SCCMUA – Dewitt, @ 10am. Seminar Sub-Committee Meeting will proceed the meeting & begin at 8:30.
Vision: To make Michigan a national leader in environmentally sound Biosolids processes and products.
Mission Statement: To provide leadership and promote beneficial uses of Biosolids.