11/20/1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 Mr. Fredrickson asked how old the worst streets are. Mr. Ahrens estimated they are 15 to 20 years old and the life expectancy is 20 to 25 years. Mr. Fredrickson stated he believes haulers can meet most of the City's goals, can reduce impact to streets by offering a recycling program that is every other week, and may be able to reduce traffic by going to hauling two days a week. He suggested residents be encouraged to use compost sites so haulers do not need to pick up leaves or Christmas trees. Mr. Fredrickson stated he would like the opportunity to compete in cities that have organized collection. Kim Carlson, BFI, stated there is a State of Minnesota video tape regarding wear and tear on roads but it appears the engineers have indicated that if you build a road in Minnesota and don't make any repairs to it, it will still need to be replaced in 20 years. She suggested that perception and reality are two different things, especially when you are asking residents to give up selection and going to a single hauler process. She asked if this offers a competitive system and stated she does not believe it does but allows haulers and consortiums to run the show, instead of the residents. Ms. Carlson asked who will capitalize the expenses to get into this process. She urged the Council to forget about organized collection and leave it as a competitive process. Ms. Carlson stated it would also allow residents to compare prices and get rid of a hauler when there is a problem. She asserted if a price comparison is done, there isn't much of a difference between organized collection and free enterprise. She reviewed statistics from another city that did an evaluation and found there was only a difference of $1.34. Ms. Carlson stated the best price is always gained where there is competition. She stated she understands the concern about funding road repairs. Ms. Carlson stated she assumed this would be more of a consortium organized collection where the same haulers would be involved and the area divided out according to the number of households they currently pick up. However, the City is talking about a bidding process. She suggested the attorney be asked for a legal opinion about the City's liability issues for a taking. Ms. Carlson thanked the Council for this opportunity to speak to these issues. Council Member Neal stated he has enjoyed Ms. Carlson's comments. Jeff Glewe, United Waste, congratulated the citizens of Lino Lakes on the good turnout for this meeting. He explained the reason for the meeting was due to the Council's intent to organize collection in March. Mr. Glewe stated that most haulers are not in favor or organized collection because they are in a competitive business and organized hauling is a non-competitive situation. He reviewed the stated goals as established to limit truck traffic on residential streets, uniform day for collection on same day, expanded recycling program for curbside and add additional materials, and limit hours of operation. Mr. Glewe stated for the most part the haulers do an excellent job in meeting these goals and getting into and out of the City in a short period of time. Brian Fronczak, Waste Management, stated other haulers have stated the hauler's concerns. He stated they are all against organized collection and are able to address concerns the City has. He asked why other cities have considered organized collection but declined. COUNCIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS Council Member Bergeson pointed out that not all streets involved are City streets, a number are State and County roads. He explained that most are aware that Lino Lakes is a Home Rule PAGE 5