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• FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES _3_ January 26, 2005 Organized Refuse Collection (continued) Background summary Who brought up this issue? Mayor Gehrz said that she did because of the ongoing complaints and requests from residents that the City take an active role in reducing the number of trash trucks on streets and alleys. Also, when Ramsey County was looking at this issue she attended some meetings where she heard City officials talk about the cost savings to residents that they had seen by having instituted organized collection. The engineering estimates for wear and tear on the streets certainly added to her interest because everyone pays for that. Why did the City put resources into doing this study? Mayor Gehrz said the City Council studies lots of issues that affect Falcon Heights residents. She gave three examples that she hoped might help put the solid waste collection study in perspective. • Merge with Roseville - In the early 1990's, the City contracted with an accounting firm to study whether merging the cities of Falcon Heights and Roseville would result in better services and lower taxes. Based upon the results of the preliminary study and resident input, that proposal was rejected. Waster infrastructure - In 1997, the City studied whether its residents and businesses could save money on their water bills if the City sold its water infrastructure to the St. Paul Regional Water Utility. Based upon the results of that study and City Council action, Falcon Heights residents now pay wholesale rather than retail rates for water. Previous solid waste collection study -The result of the previous decision was to use City ordinance to require all haulers to pick up on the same day, with twice a week pickup grandfathered in for the Grove neighborhood. That was a great improvement over the previous situation with trash haulers picking up every day of the week. Why did the City Council pass a resolution of intent to organize collection following the public hearing on March 24? Mayor Gehrz said the study process is governed by State statute that requires the City do so if it wants the haulers to participate in the development of any plans or proposals for organized collection. The Council was also hearing support for doing the study. While the Council heard opposition, there was support for doing the study to try to address some of the questions that were raised. • Why is there no staff recommendation on this issue? Mayor Gehrz explained that staff does not take a position on an issue unless the Council takes a position on an issue. 4