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January 29, 2004 <br />A note to Falcon Heights residents from the City's Solid Waste Commission: <br />About a year and a half ago, the Solid Waste Commission was chartered to study solid waste <br />removal and disposal in our city -that is, everything having to do with recycling and trash. Our <br />mission is to develop "a more efficient, more economical, and more environmentally sound solid <br />waste disposal system, and build a waste management education plan for all age groups, starting <br />with our youngest citizens." <br />Last year we began to study the question of whether our residents could get better trash hauling <br />service at a lower price if we band together as a city to contract with a hauler or haulers. This is <br />called "organized collection," and two of our neighborhoods already do something like this on their <br />own. We came up with many questions. Here are some of them: <br />• Could we get better prices for everyone if we negotiate as a city? <br />. • Would our streets and alleys last longer if we had fewer garbage trucks on them each week? <br />Would we save money in future street maintenance assessments? <br />• Can we keep the same quality of service we have now? Could we maybe get better service, <br />with more features like extra-small, reduced-rate trash cans for small households? Could we <br />keep the convenient Friday all-City pickup? <br />• If we had a contract through the City, who would I complain to about poor service or a busted <br />wheel on my garbage can? <br />• If we negotiate as a City, how can we make sure small, local haulers are included? <br />• Where does our trash go after it is collected? Do we have any say about this, as a city or as <br />individuals? Are we doing the best we can for future public health? <br />Under Minnesota Statute § 11 SA.94, cities are allowed to consider and implement organized <br />collection, and many cities around us have done so. We, your neighbors on the Solid Waste <br />Commission, are recommending to the City Council that Falcon Heights begin the statutory study, <br />discussion and decision process. We have set 16 preliminary goals, which are enclosed. <br />What do you think? Please attend our first Public Hearing at City Hall, 7:00 p.m. on <br />Wednesday, March 24, and give us your input. <br />Thanks! <br />The Solid Waste Commission <br />so <br />