Higher fees for Wisconsin clean-up fund
License fees that Wisconsin’s drycleaners pay to the state’s Drycleaner Environmental Response Fund (DERF) increased to 2.8 percent of
drycleaning receipts as of the first of the year. The higher fees will be paid
in the first quarter’s report which is due by April 25.
Previously, the fee was set 1.8 percent of receipts. The Wisconsin Fabricare
Institute reported that there was no money in the DERF fund with about $1
million in claims to be paid.
Since the fund began in 2007, 151 drycleaning sites have entered the program.
Investigations have been completed on 57 sites; 30 have completed clean-ups and
received closure approval from the state. Almost $9 million has been reimbursed
to the drycleaners who undertook site investigations and clean-ups.
In addition to the gross receipts fee, cleaners pay a solvent fee; these two
sources have generated about $1 million a year.
The higher gross receipts fee is expected to generate approximately $1.5 million
a year.
Despite the increase, it is still unlikely that there will be enough money to
keep up with the demand for reimbursement for clean-up services.
“We project that demand for reimbursement of clean-up costs will significantly
exceed revenue over the next several years,” wrote Terry Evanson in the WFI newsletter, Impressions.
WFI said that along with the Governor's Dry Cleaner Council it is continuing to
look at various options in both the public and private sectors for additional
sources of funding.
“We have been unsuccessful thus far in obtaining additional funding sources to
make up the deficit that now exists,” WFI said in its member newsletter.
Current claims can’t be paid until there is money in the fund. Since the money is collected
quarterly, any claim made at this point would not be paid for at least a year.
The association also noted that Aug. 30, 2008, is the deadline for submitting a
notice of potential claim for the program. That date is not likely to change
because of the lack of funding, WFI said.
To enter the program applicants must report the discharge of drycleaning solvent
to the Department Natural Resources and file a potential claim form.
“Drycleaners may have some tough decisions to make before next August,” WFI said.
A panel discussion on the clean-up fund is planned as part of the winter
convention in Green Bay this month.
WFI to take a Lambeau Leap this month
The Wisconsin Fabricare Institute is inviting members to take a “Lambeau Leap” with them at its annual state convention and trade show scheduled for Feb.
22-24 at the Radisson Hotel in Green Bay.
Many NFL fans already know that a Lambeau Leap is when a Green Bay Packer player
jumps into the end zone stands in a celebration with the hometown fans after a
big scoring play.
Fortunately, WFI members won’t have to score a touchdown first in order to celebrate at the convention.
The association has planned to kick things off with a Packer tailgating-themed
dinner on Friday evening, followed by a hospitality. Then, on Saturday, it will
be time to get down to business.
The day will begin with a session entitled “Plug Into High-Tech Fabrics” by Andrea Marcinkus, who teaches textile science, fashion show production and
knitting at the Mount Mary College of Fashion in Milwaukee.
She has earned a B.S. in Textile Design from the Philadelphia College of Textile
and Science and an M.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she is
currently a Ph.D. candidate.
Conducting the second seminar of the day will be Tony Busch, who will discuss “Cash Flow: What It Means to You, Your Business and Your Banker.”
His presentation will explain the intricacies of cash flow and how it works, and
he will emphasize the benefits of understanding it and how best to deal with
your banker.
Busch knows a lot about bankers, having had a career in the field that spanned
30 years. He worked 27 years in business lending, first as a credit analyst and
eventually as president of a community bank. His last three years were spent as
a vice president of a $500 million credit union.
On Sunday morning, Jon Meijer from DLI will begin the day with a program on “The Buzz on Alternative Solvents and New Equipment.”
After starting with DLI (known then as IFI) in 1982, Meijer has gone on to
become a popular industry speaker and has written numerous articles and
bulletins for DLI’s Fabricare magazine.
In 1994, he won a national award from the American Society of Association
Executives (ASAE) in the “Best Overall Federal Regulatory Program” category for his work on Environmental Canada’s certification program.
He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Maryland and is an
active member of ASAE and the Cleaning and Laundry Association Executives.
Rounding out the educational sessions, WFI will offer a special DERF panel
discussion on “The Deadline for New Applicants is August 30, 2008—What You Need to Know.”
The panel includes Don Gallo, WFI Legal Counsel; Jeanne Tarvin, DERF Gov.
Council Member – Environmental Consultant; Terry Evanson, WDNR-DERF Remediation and
Redevelopment Program; and a cleaner who has participated in the cleanup.
In addition to the programs, WFI will offer a tabletop trade exhibit so cleaners
can meet with suppliers.
There will also be a silent auction to raise money for WFI education and
programs. Auctioneer extraordinaire Charlie Cass will step up to the microphone
to auction off the great items the WFI Auction Committee has worked hard
gathering.
There will also be plenty of time for socializing. During the Saturday banquet,
WFI will honor Five Star Cleaners, induct a new member to its Hall of Fame and
award the Fitzgerald Scholarships.
WFI has reserved a block of rooms at the Radisson Hotel for Friday, February 22
and Saturday, February 23
Special rates are $99 for a single or double and $109 for a triple or quad. Call
the Radisson at (800) 333-3333 or (920) 494-7300 and mention your affiliation
with WFI.
Reservations should be made as soon as possible as the block or rooms is sure to
fill up quickly.
For more information or to register, contact the WFI office at (414) 529-4707.
Advantage plans open house in Akron
Advantage Equipment will hold an open house featuring Columbia Ipura drycleaning machines, Sanksosha
and Ajax by Sankosha finishing and bagging equipment on Wednesday, March 5 from
noon to 8 p.m. at the company’s headquarters, 1660 Scenic Way, Akron, OH.
Advantage is polling customers to learn which pieces of equipment they would
like to see in operation at the open house. All equipment will be
demo/clearance priced.
For more information, call the company (330) 475-8220.
