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Goodhue commissioners approve lot split addendum for Wanamingo demolition landfill despite easement and insurance questions
Summary
The board approved an addendum allowing owner Glenn Steberg to split roughly 14.23 acres containing the Wanamingo demolition landfill into an LLC parcel. Commissioners pressed staff to clarify driveway access, easement language and insurance requirements; staff noted the county remains on the MPCA permit and annual monitoring continues.
The Goodhue County Board voted to approve an addendum to the 2022 landowner agreement for the Wanamingo Demolition Land Debris Disposal Facility that will allow owner Glenn Steberg to place the landfill portion of his 70-acre property into an LLC and separate it legally from his home and farm.
Megan, the county land-use staff member presenting the item, said the proposed lot split would create a new parcel of about 14.23 acres that includes six monitoring wells and that staff included a draft addendum and a certificate of survey in the meeting packet.
Commissioners raised several operational and legal questions before the vote. Commissioner Anderson asked whether the landowner is required to carry insurance; staff and other commissioners said they did not see an insurance requirement in the original agreements and that the county’s liability largely stems from being on the MPCA permit.
"I didn't see anything about the property owner has to carry any kind of insurance. Do they need to?" a commissioner asked; staff replied they would need to review the original agreement and could add contract language if desired.
Board members also asked whether the driveway and access to the house might be partially on the proposed landfill parcel and whether an easement from the LLC to the residence — and a recorded county access easement where appropriate — was clearly documented. Megan said a draft easement from the owner to the LLC exists and that staff would clarify who grants easement to whom and whether the county’s access is protected.
Staff noted the current agreement expires in about six months and that the county has maintained involvement in monitoring and closure with MPCA. County staff advised it might be cleaner to complete the closure and obtain the state certificate before resolving all transfer details, but that outstanding easement and access questions could be addressed in subsequent contract amendments.
After discussion a commissioner moved and the board approved the lot split/addendum by voice vote.
Why it matters: the separation of the landfill parcel into an LLC changes ownership structure and introduces potential future transferability; commissioners sought contractual protections to preserve county access and monitoring responsibilities and to protect against access loss if tax-forfeiture or sale occurs.
Next steps: staff said they will clarify the easement language, confirm whether insurance should be required, and address transfer provisions when drafting the final agreement or subsequent amendments to the contract.
