Beltrami County to close Target recycling site as solid-waste volumes surge; expansion study, RFP planned

Beltrami County commissioners announced a plan to close the recycling drop-off behind the Target store on Sept. 12 and redirect recycling to a new Fern Street site and the county industrial park, citing operational changes and recent increases in solid-waste volumes.

The decision comes as county solid-waste staff reported a large year-over-year jump in loads this July: the county transfer station recorded 1,677 tickets in July last year and 2,111 this July (an increase of 434), the Black Duck (transfer) site rose from 136 to 151 tickets, and the demolition landfill’s July tickets increased from 325 last year to 1,107 this year (an increase of 782). Commissioner Winger said the volume spike — driven in part by recent storm cleanup — has used landfill space faster than usual.

County Chair (unnamed) told the public the Fern Street site, north of Paul Bunyan Communications, is a “brand new site with a compactor, freshly paved and everything.” The chair reiterated that the Target drop-off behind the store will close Sept. 12 and that residents should plan to use the Fern Street location or the industrial park site.

Nut graf: The county is moving to manage unexpectedly high debris and recycling volumes while protecting recently remodeled solid-waste facilities. Commissioners said staff will study excavation to expand demolition landfill capacity and solicit contractor bids to estimate costs.

Commissioner Winger and other commissioners described operational pressures at the transfer and demolition sites following the storm. Winger said the demolition site saw 1,107 tickets in July compared with 325 the prior July and that flooding and other issues have added to the workload. Commissioners said the volume increase has prompted preliminary work on the “next phase of excavation” to gain capacity.

Commissioner Winger said staff will prepare and release a request for proposals (RFP) to get cost estimates for excavation and expansion of the demolition landfill. The board did not record a formal vote on issuing an RFP during the meeting; the announcement was presented as a staff direction and operational update.

The board also reported ongoing work on a solid-waste building remodel; the chair said the remodel of the office area was “on track and on budget.” Commissioners noted a flooding issue affecting about a 3.2-acre section uphill from the facility that channels stormwater toward the side of the building. County staff and engineers are planning a diversion to an existing stormwater pond to prevent runoff from entering the remodeled building.

Quotes from commissioners were limited to operational descriptions. Commissioner Winger summarized the volume increases and said the county is “using up space faster than…we typically would have” because of storm-related debris. The chair reiterated the Sept. 12 closure date and described the Fern Street site as ready for residents.

Ending: County officials said they will report back with cost estimates after soliciting bids and with further details about the recycling-site transition. No formal board vote on the RFP or the recycling-site closure was recorded during the meeting; the announcements were presented as administrative updates to inform residents and guide staff work.