February 21, 2022
| Members Present: | Members Absent: |
| Representative Connie Bernardy | Senator Michelle Benson |
| Representative Sondra Erickson | Senator Nick A. Frentz |
| Representative Rick Hansen | Senator Ann H. Rest |
| Representative Tina Liebling | |
| Representative Nels Pierson | |
| Representative Duane Quam | |
| Senator Mary Kiffmeyer | |
| Senator Matt D. Klein | |
| Senator Mark W. Koran |
Senator Koran, Chair, called the Legislative Audit Commission (LAC) meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. The purpose of the meeting was to (1) release the Office of the Legislative Auditor’s (OLA’s) evaluation, Petroleum Remediation Program; and (2) discuss the process of requesting audits, evaluations, and special reviews to be conducted by the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA).
Judy Randall, Legislative Auditor, said that the petroleum remediation program is within the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). After providing a brief summary of the program, Ms. Randall introduced Caitlin Badger, Project Manager for OLA’s Program Evaluation Division, to give a presentation on the evaluation. Ms. Badger provided background information on MPCA’s petroleum remediation program and explained the evaluation’s key findings. Additionally, she described the recommendations the report directed at MPCA and the Legislature.
Senator Koran invited Kirk Koudelka, MPCA Assistant Commissioner, to address the commission members. Mr. Koudelka thanked the OLA staff for taking their time to learn the petroleum remediation program and providing constructive feedback on how to improve it. He said that MPCA will use OLA’s report to assist their staff in making improvements to support their mission of protecting human health and the environment. Mr. Koudelka and Jamie Wallerstedt, MPCA Remediation Division Director, responded to several members’ questions and comments.
The meeting turned to a discussion on the process of requesting OLA audits, evaluations, and special reviews. Senator Koran said that OLA is being bombarded with requests to look into different projects, programs, and issues that have arisen. (For example, the Southwest Light Rail project overspending, Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, etc.) The consensus among members was that maintaining the bipartisan, bicameral status of the commission is of the utmost importance, and discussions on this subject will be ongoing.
With no further business, Senator Koran adjourned the meeting at 10:18 a.m.
Senator Mark W. Koran, Chair
Shelly Gilb, Recording Secretary
