Home Care In Inver Grove Heights, MN

Minnesota's largest open landfill is poised to get even bigger as the state looks for places to stash the metro's ever-growing amount of trash.

Plans call for Pine Bend landfill in southeastern Inver Grove Heights to pile its mountain of garbage even higher — up another 85 feet or around seven stories.

With the added space, the landfill could take in another 2.4 million tons of trash in the next two decades and help the state avoid having to find another place to put all that waste.

Once the piles are that big, the slope will be too steep for garbage trucks to maneuver and add more trash at the top.

"This will be our last vertical expansion," said Aaron Janusz, an environmental manager for Republic, the Arizona-based company that owns Pine Bend. "We're all out of room."

It's a similar story elsewhere in the south metro. Pine Bend is one of four landfills the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recommended for growth in 2021. The Burnsville Sanitary Landfill went through the permitting process for adding a decade's worth of trash last year. The MPCA has recommended expansion of the Dem-Con landfill in Shakopee and Rich Valley, another Inver Grove Heights landfill. Both would begin taking household waste.

The MPCA has released two items necessary for the Pine Bend expansion — a draft air permit and an environmental review, and residents can comment on them through Dec. 15. The solid waste permit likely will be released early next year. The agency will respond to all comments and determine if additional environmental review is warranted.

The Metropolitan Council, Dakota County and Inver Grove Heights must sign off before the landfill can grow.

Why so much trash?

The metro area produces about one ton of trash per resident each year, despite MPCA goals to increase the amount we recycle, plus compost and reduce how much we throw away. The agency projects that the amount of waste generated in the metro will grow by 19% over the next two decades.

The region sent 30% more waste to landfills last year, largely due to the closure of the Great River Energy facility in Elk River, which burned trash to create energy, MPCA officials said.

Pine Bend receives waste from the metro and greater Minnesota and some from Wisconsin. Its current capacity is 33.9 million cubic yards. The expansion would enable it to hold 42.1 million cubic yards. The landfill site is 255 acres but it will only add height over 89 acres in the middle of the property.

Residents' concerns

About 30 people attended an MPCA public open house at an Eagan church Thursday. More than half were from the state, the city or Republic. A small but vocal handful of residents asked questions and voiced concerns about the expansion.

"That thing's been open since 1972, and we're still burying waste," said John Rutz, an Inver Grove Heights resident. "That, to me, is not right."

Rutz said it was aggravating that no alternatives were being considered. He wants the state to try to get all the recyclables out of the trash before it heads to the landfill.

George Fell, another resident, compared the MPCA's efforts to share information about the expansion with the Inver Grove Heights school district's communication about a recent referendum. He got four pieces of mail from the schools, he said, compared with one MPCA release.

"Nobody has a clue about this expansion you're talking about," Fell said.

He said he's especially worried about PFAS — per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals" — getting into drinking water from leachate, or contaminated liquid collected from landfills.

"Our big concern is water and groundwater," said Megen Kabele a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency project manager for the environmental review unit.

The landfill isn't in a protection area for wells and groundwater, she said. Leachate will be collected by systems already in place, and new well heads will capture and transport methane to the adjacent renewable natural gas plant.

Groundwater monitoring will continue; an existing liner is in place in parts and a new liner will be added. Sampling of 22 wells on site for PFAS and other contaminants is ongoing, Kabele said.

Recent sampling shows PFAS are at or above allowed levels at 12 wells and two springs; long-term testing shows a decrease of PFAS at some wells and an increase at others.

"Pine Bend Landfill follows all of the requirements of our solid waste permit related to groundwater monitoring," said Melissa Quillard, a Republic spokesperson, who noted that contaminated liquid is collected and transported to a wastewater treatment plant.

The city's view

Inver Grove Heights, which eventually must approve four items for the expansion to occur, submitted several comments.

City Administrator Kris Wilson said the city wants more information about what the new mound of trash will look like and has some technical questions about the required air permit.

"We're really hoping to gain a better understanding of whether the expansion would change groundwater or subsurface gas [impacts]," Wilson said.

The city, also home to Rich Valley and Dawnway landfills, which take demolition and construction waste, has developed "a positive working relationship" with the landfill owners. Still, the city has concerns about how the metro area is disposing of its waste, she said.

Though the MPCA says landfilling is the least desirable way to get rid of trash, we still produce more waste than other methods — like recycling or turning waste into energy — can handle, Wilson said.

"[The landfill] definitely has impacts on a host community like Inver Grove Heights," Wilson said, mentioning added traffic, odor and noise, along with visual and groundwater effects. "It impacts the desirability of developing the land next to the landfill."

Long-term plans

The state is now finalizing its metropolitan solid waste policy plan, which is updated every six years. The draft plan, released this summer, restated the Legislature's goal of recycling 75% of Minnesota's trash by 2030, with just 5% going to landfills. The remaining 20% would go to waste-to-energy facilities.

But trends are going in the wrong direction, MPCA officials have said, with the seven-county metro area only recycling about 45% of its waste, including composting.

Erin Adler is a suburban reporter covering Dakota and Scott counties for the Star Tribune, working breaking news shifts on Sundays. She previously spent three years covering K-12 education in the south metro and five months covering Carver County.

[email protected] 612-673-1781

Inver Grove Heights officials unanimously rejected a rezoning decision that would have allowed a windshield washer fluid manufacturer to operate in the city after residents voiced concern about the safety of storing of up to 20,000 gallons of methanol on-site.

Letting Bulk Fluid Systems — which currently makes its product in St. Paul — set up shop would have required changing the parcel's zoning in the city's comprehensive plan, along with approving several other items.

The proposal would have constructed a 5,600-square-foot building to house tanker trucks, a windshield washer fluid blending room and office space. Four tanks, holding up to 40,500 gallons of either methanol or washer fluid total, would have sat outside.

"I take my cue from what [residents] want in their community," said Mayor Brenda Dietrich, explaining her vote. "It's difficult because I am business-friendly."

More than 20 residents showed up Monday night to oppose the plant; an online petition garnered more than 330 signatures. Discussion centered on just how dangerous methanol is and what plans would be in place if there was a spill or fire. The vicinity includes a stable, the Eagan YMCA and Emerald Hills manufactured home park.

"We brought up health and safety concerns about storing this much methanol above ground and what was the safety protocol" at the Planning Commission meeting, said Marta Haynes, an Inver Grove Heights resident who boarded her horse 300 feet from the proposed site. "The applicant ... basically blew off our concerns — did not have a rebuttal."

She also asked why a low-income community should have to bear all the risks of such a facility.

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is flammable and toxic. It can be used as a solvent and fuel, according to the National Institutes of Health, and may explode if ignited in a confined space.

It's also the main ingredient in windshield washer fluid, said Chris Willeke, president of Bulk Fluid Systems, whose father invented a system to automatically fill squeegee buckets full of the liquid by installing tanks of it in the canopy and running tubes down to containers.

The system, used at 1,800 gas stations in the Upper Midwest, makes plastic jugs unnecessary, a great ecological benefit, he said.

Willeke said he wanted to move to Inver Grove Heights because his company has outgrown its current facility, which is leased.

He said the company does have an emergency response plan with steps to take and contacts to call if there's a spill or fire, although neither has ever occurred.

He told the City Council that, according to OSHA, methanol is safe if located 50 feet or more from an open flame. He explained that his current 12,000-gallon methanol storage tank is designed with vents that occasionally release pressure and then close again. It passed inspections by the St. Paul fire marshal and is twice as close to houses as this site would be, Willeke said.

The council made its decision based on what residents said, rather than experts, he said.

'Pesky citizens'?

Allan Hunting, Inver Grove Heights' city planner, said the other three approvals for the project hinged on whether the comprehensive plan amendment passed.

Questions about an emergency response plan would have been asked later, during the building permit stage, Hunting said.

Council Member Mary T'Kach said she voted against the zoning change because she feels the facility would have been too close to residential properties. She said she would feel the same about any future industrial business that might try to make the site work.

T'Kach said the southern parts of Inver Grove Heights have more land zoned for heavy industry "and that feels like a better fit."

Inver Grove Heights resident Monica Pitterle said she was "ecstatic" to see plans rejected. She sent the council information about how a half-mile evacuation is required if there's a methanol fire, with 660 feet required for a spill.

Two nearby projects that would have required rezoning to industrial use have also been introduced in the past three years but didn't pass, she said.

She doesn't understand why city staffers think it makes sense to rezone area properties to heavy industrial, Pitterle said.

"They seem focused on a path ... and it feels like city staff thinks that all of these pesky citizens are trying to interfere with their glorious plans," she said.

Hunting said one instance was proposed in a neighborhood study and the other was a developer's application, not a city-initiated project.

Willeke said he'll go back to trying to find a 1-acre site in an industrial area of the metro to accommodate the company's expansion.

"We are quite hard-pressed to find anything that's available," he said.

Erin Adler is a suburban reporter covering Dakota and Scott counties for the Star Tribune, working breaking news shifts on Sundays. She previously spent three years covering K-12 education in the south metro and five months covering Carver County.

[email protected] 612-673-1781

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. — Folks braving the cold temps to honor all who have served in our military. Hundreds gathered for the state of Minnesota's veterans day ceremony Saturday morning in Inver Grove Heights. We found and spoke to one veteran who had a fan club of his own.

From the Army to the Space force. Minnesotans veterans gathered today to reflect, reconnect...and be honored for their service.

Brad Lindsay - Temporary Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs "Right now, there's about 294,000 veterans in Minnesota. Almost a full third of them are Vietnam-era veterans," said Brad Lindsay, temporary commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.

Saturday morning's event held a special focus on Vietnam Veterans. This year marks 50 years since the last American forces left that conflict and returned home.

Senator Amy Klobuchar, who was among those honoring Minnesota's veterans, said "there wasn't scrambled eggs for breakfast, they got hit with tomatoes. And I think one of the things that we've learned from that conflict among many things, is that we can have disagreements on board. But we never take it out on the Warriors on the front line."

But at an event full of politicians and decorated veterans it was100-year old World War II veteran Gordy Kirk may have been the most popular person in the room.

"Once I graduated from high school in 1942, I later realized I did have much to do so I wanted to join the paratroopers," said WW II veteran, Gordy Kirk. "Cause at that time they didn't have any black paratroopers. I landed on Omaha Beach, D plus six. And went across with General Patton from all across France and Germany with Patton."

Even after celebrating 70 of them, Kirk says veterans day never gets old.

" We got so many that didn't get a chance to come back like we did," Kirk says. "We had to get together. The hospitality has always been great."

"One of the greatest thing that's ever happened to veterans. I get to get together to some of the comrades that you hadn't seen for years and see [how] they're doing."

Allen Henry

Allen Henry is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who joined WCCO as a reporter in August 2022.

Twitter

IVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA - Around 11:57 AM on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, several calls came into the Dakota County Dispatch for a reported houseboat fire on the Mississippi River at the River Grove Harbor Inc., located off 102nd Street East and Inver Grove Trail in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Initial scanner traffic said a few explosions might have occurred before the flames were seen.

While en route to the fire call, Inver Grove Heights Fire units reported seeing smoke, and the call was upgraded to a confirmed working structure fire at 12:03 PM. The upgrade to a confirmed working structure fire brought mutual aid from the Eagan, Rosemount, and Mendota Heights Fire Departments. Initial units on the scene reported a narrow, steep, and icy road that made it difficult to get resources to the source of the fire. Additionally, according to a press release from the Inver Grove Heights Fire Department, a lack of fire hydrants near the source of the fire meant that several tankers were used to shuttle water to the fire scene to fight the fire. Inver Grove Heights Public Works was also called to help salt and sand with the icy conditions.

In the press release, it was reported several boats caught fire, but the number and estimated cost of damage was not readily available. Since trucks would need to be bringing in water, a request was made to Union Pacific to close the tracks temporarily along 102nd Street East. According to scanner traffic, the fire was marked out around 2:56 PM, with the scene marked clear around 3:04 PM. The train tracks were reopened around 3:30 PM. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

We have contacted the Inver Grove Heights Fire Department for more information on the possible cause of the fire and will post updates as soon as they are available.

boatfireIGH.jpg

Photo credit: Inver Grove Heights Fire Department/Facebook

Follow our social media accounts for the latest breaking news updates!

Patreon - Facebook - Twitter - Youtube - Instagram - Tiktok

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

JLL Capital Markets announced that it has arranged mezzanine and construction financing totaling $60.14 million for Avalon Apartments and Townhomes, a mid-rise multifamily and townhome development located in the preferred submarket of Inver Grove Heights and bordering Eagan, Minnesota.

JLL worked on behalf of the borrower, a St. Cloud-based Trident Development, to secure the $45 million competitive construction loan from Alerus, a provider of business and consumer banking products and services based out of North Dakota. Additionally, JLL sourced $15.14 million in mezzanine financing from Centerspace, a real estate investment trust focused on the ownership, management, acquisition and redevelopment of apartment communities across the Midwest and Mountain West.

Situated as a key gateway between the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota, Inver Grove Heights delivers the best combination of urban services and amenities located within its sizable commercial core along with an abundance of parks and recreational destinations. Avalon Apartments and Townhomes will provide premier access to both downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis via Interstate 35E and Highway 55 which are 10-minute and 20-minute drives respectively.

The subject site, located in the Primary Market Area of Inver Grove Heights/Eagan, Minnesota, is one of the fastest-growing markets in the Twin Cities metro. Fortune Magazine recently placed Eagan as the #11 community on their list of the “50 Best Places to Live for Families”. The property is located within the Eagan school district, which consistently ranks as one of the top districts in the state, making it an ideal destination for families.

Minneapolis-St. Paul has one of the largest concentrations of Fortune 1000s in the world. The region is home to numerous international headquarters, American headquarters for foreign firms, and substantial office operations for firms that are headquartered on either coast. With one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, investors, employers, and workers continue to be drawn to Minneapolis-St. Paul, home to one of the most diverse and successful economies in the world.

The JLL Capital Markets Advisory Team representing the Sponsor was led by Managing Directors Dan Linnell, Scott Loving, Josh Talberg and Mox Gunderson.

“The project will be a significant development for Inver Grove Heights, and we are thankful to play a role in advancing it. The execution between Trident and Centerspace was extremely impressive despite challenges in capital markets, and is a testament to the strength of the project, sponsorship, location, and teams on both sides ” said Managing Director Dan Linnell. “The Twin Cities market, particularly in established suburban areas like Inver Grove Heights and Eagan consistently outperform in tenant demand as well as demand from investors and lenders for premium projects” Linnell added. “This project also showcases the continuing demand for projects catering to townhome as well as multi-family residents and signals a promising outlook for both the region and the submarket.”