Western Lake Superior Sanitary District

The agenda for the Regular Board Meeting included a review of the agenda, old business such as affirming an Administrative Citation and fine related to a Solid Waste Hearing Examiner matter, and approval of the Consent Agenda items. New Business focused heavily on Finance, including the approval of 2025 Financials, Year-End Adjustments, 2025 Gainshare Measures and Payout, approval for 12-month extensions for EPAM (Bid #1493) and DPAM (Bid #1492) polymers with SNF Polydyne, awarding the 2026 Sodium Hypochlorite Bid (#1506) to Hawkins Water Treatment, approving 2026-2027 dues for Area Chambers of Commerce, and approving updated Data Practices Policy and Procedures. Additional items included the approval of Professional Services for the Woodland Interceptor CIPP Lining Project and approvals for new job descriptions and pay grades for Environmental Compliance Specialist, Sustainability Specialist, Inventory Technician, and Buyer positions. Committee Reports were also scheduled.

The Regular Board Meeting agenda included a review of the agenda, old business, and approval of consent agenda items, specifically excluding the approval of previous minutes. New business focused heavily on Operations and Planning matters, including the approval of professional services for the Knowlton Creek Forcemain Rehabilitation Phase 3 Project, entering into a relocation agreement with MNDOT for the Lakeside Interceptor Relocation, approval of Change Order #1 for Dewatering System Improvements to evaluate Class A biosolids, and approval of Change Order #1 for the Final Effluent Sample Building Design revisions. Finance items included approvals for various PFA Loan Agreements and a resolution to apply for the MN Sea Grant Fast Track Grant. The Board also addressed legislative matters, approving the 2026 Legislative Priorities, and governance, approving the revised 2026 Board Calendar and Board Officer/Committee Assignments. Committee reports were presented for Finance, Operations and Planning, and Legislative committees, alongside a review of October 2025 monthly financials and the September NPDES report.

The 2025 budget for the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District includes wastewater charges totaling $30.280 million, reflecting a 2.78% overall increase, and a capital budget of $18.150 million. Solid waste residential line item fees and commercial hauler collected fees are increased by 15%. The District-Wide Allocation budget has increased from the 2024 budget for a total amount of $388,000.

This regional solid waste management plan outlines a 10-year strategy for the northeast Minnesota counties and the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, focusing on integrated waste management. The plan prioritizes prevention, reuse, recycling, and organics composting over disposal. Key strategic pillars include developing a regional communications plan for solid waste reduction and education, improving recycling programs through initiatives like a "Recycle Right" campaign and infrastructure upgrades, expanding source-separated organic materials composting, and supporting the formation of public/private partnerships for long-term land disposal facilities. The plan aims to reduce the overall municipal solid waste stream and significantly increase organics diversion over the planning period.

The agenda includes a review of old business and approval of consent agenda items such as regular board minutes, board member vouchers, payment vouchers, and sewer extensions. New business items for discussion and approval include reactor influent pipe improvements, an amendment to the St. Louis County Joint Powers Agreement, and job descriptions for a Training Coordinator, Director of Safety, and Director of Human Resources. Committee reports will be presented, and reporting will cover communications, monthly financials, NPDES, and the Executive Director's report. Additionally, the board will discuss approval of RFP #1484 Roll-off Services, CHP Generator Maintenance Contract, Environmental Technician Job Description, Associate Engineer Job Description, Engineer Job Description & Pay Grade, Senior Engineer Job Description & Pay Grade, Environmental Services Manager Job Description, Solid Waste Price Increases, 2025 Wastewater Budget, and 2025 Solid Waste Budget.