Resident urges county action on odors, potential chemical exposure and contractor-yard enforcement in Waconia area

Nicholas Schultz of Cologne used the meeting’s public-comment period to ask county officials to investigate persistent offensive odors and possible hazardous emissions from a cabinet shop near a daycare in Waconia and other nearby schools.

Schultz said he has nearly 40 years of hazardous-materials training and asserted the material being released is a carcinogen rather than merely an odor. He urged county staff to obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the business, determine emission thresholds and durations, and inspect the site; he told commissioners he had discussed the problem with Waconia Mayor Tim Hubbard.

“I got almost 40 years of hazmat training,” Schultz said. “We don't call it an order. It's a carcinogen.” He said he brought an OEM meter to the site and reported it “went off,” and warned that “we got small children with lungs” at nearby schools and daycare facilities.

Schultz also argued for tougher oversight of contractor yards across the county, including higher bonds so contractors pay for cleanup rather than leaving contamination for taxpayers. He said county code allowed a 20-by-20 area for equipment and that some contractors were exceeding those limits.

The board did not take formal action during the meeting on Schultz’s complaints; commissioners and staff encouraged follow-up. Chair Workman and other commissioners noted they heard the complaint and several asked staff to follow up with the resident and local city officials. No citations, inspections or specific enforcement actions were recorded in the transcript.