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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/20/1996 Council MinutesCOUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES DATE : November 20, 1996 TIME STARTED : 6:36 P.M. TIME ENDED : 9:50 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Bergeson, Kuether, Landers, Lyden, Neal MEMBERS ABSENT : None Staff members present: City Administrator, Randy Schumacher; City Attorney, Bill Hawkins; City Engineer, Dave Ahrens; Solid Waste Coordinator, Jackie Constant; Clerk -Treasurer, Marilyn Anderson. The agenda was approved as presented. INTRODUCTION/WELCOME, MAYOR JOHN LANDERS Mayor Landers welcomed all to the meeting and explained that no decision will be made by the Council tonight and, at this time, no date has been set to make that decision. He reviewed the process to be followed tonight and encouraged those in the audience to fill out the question cards so staff can prepare an answer. PRESENTATION ON ORGANIZED COLLECTION Ms. Constant explained the option of organized collection was brought forth to the City Council by the Solid Waste Committee. She explained this option was considered for cost efficiency reasons. She explained the two 90 day process which is to be followed and explained notice was published and mailed to the haulers. Ms. Constant reviewed the State mandated recycling goals which increase each year and other issues addressed by the Committee. The Committee recommended organized collection in March and the Council supported the intent. A time line was then prepared prior to conducting the community survey (which was just completed a month ago). Ms. Constant explained that organized collection is a system for collecting solid waste in which a specified collector or group of collector is designated to collect waste. She explained there are different ways to organize collections, from a single hauler to a consortium of haulers. She explained the City is concerned about proper disposal of waste since over 500 Lino Lakes residents do not participate in garbage service. Concern also exists about safety of the children who are waiting for school buses and long-term maintenance of the streets. Ms. Constant advised that five cities in Anoka County contract with a single hauler except for Ram Lake which works with a group of haulers. The Committee also learned that in the metropolitan area. approximately 40 have organized collection so this is not a unique situation. PAGE. 1 COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 She displayed a listing of municipalities within the seven -county metro area which utilize organized collection. Ms. Constant stated the Committee spoke with a number of these cities and 111 drafted goals and objectives as follows: 1. One recycling truck and one garbage truck per street, 2. One waste and recycling day per week, 3. Increase number of items that can be recycled, and 4. Limit hours of operation to non -peak hours. Ms. Constant explained that the City currently limits the number of haulers operating in the City and has an open hauling system with five haulers, one servicing a small amount that would probably "opt out" if organized collection is approved. She reviewed the one-time annual fees that are charged and explained the benefits are increase control over the service, cost, increased efficiency, increased control over noise and other neighborhood issues, and decreased wear and tear on the roadways. She reviewed a graph indicating that in all cities with organized collection they have an average lower monthly charge to generators. Ms. Constant then reviewed a chart identifying the impact of haulers on City streets, indicating one truck trip equals about 1600 car trips (according to Mn/DOT). She explained the goals were discussed with the Council and a joint meeting held between the haulers and Council. The City also conducted a survey which indicated 90% of those surveyed responded to the question of support for organized or not organized collection and 59% supported organized collection. She advised that this surveyor had surveyed over 50 cities in the metro area and Lino Lakes was one of the highest in support of organized collection. PRESENTATION ON ROAD IMPACT Mr. Ahrens presented an illustration identifying the damage of certain vehicles when compared with a car. One garbage truck is equivalent to 1100 cars trips. He explained it is actually more like 1500 cars and these are relative factors of impact to a roadway as determined by Mn/DOT and are -used in designing roadways. He explained the impact to roadways is greater in spring months during the thaw so the impact of a heavier truck would be much greater than one truck to 1500 car trips. Also, roadways with subgrade failure would be greater impacted. He explained that side load garbage trucks are usually used but with rear load vehicles, a greater impact is realized since most of the weight is on the rear axle rather than being spread between both axles. Council Member Neal noted that one truck trip equals 1500 car trips. Mr. Ahrens further explained that one truck trip pass by a garbage truck would impact roads the same as the pass of 1500 car trips. He stated if only passenger cars traversed the City's roads, there would be minimal impact. He explained it is generally the heavier vehicles (trucks, buses, construction vehicles, semitrucks) that impact the road surface. COMMENTS ANOKA COUNTY CITIES WITH ORGANIZED COLLECTION Peggy Link, Circle Pines Finance Director and Recycling Coordinator, reported they have a one hauler garbage contract along with recycling and special service such as clean up days and spring clean ups. I -lave had this type of contract since before the City was organized or incorporated. In PAGI-: 2 • 1 • COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 the late 1980's as they wanted to add recycling so they established a task force that recommended volume based garbage rates which will encourage the recycling program. Ms. Link advised that Circle Pines is one of the major recyclers in Anoka County and has met one of the State mandates in requiring all residents to be on the collection system. She stated they have liked having a single hauler contract which also means they only have one hauler to call if a problem occurs. Randy Haggarty, Centerville, stated he has nothing new to add to previous statements. He explained they have organized collection and met and surpassed their recycling goals with a one - hauler system. Mr. Haggarty stated organized collection results in less wear and tear on City streets, is less complicated in a complex waste environment, and problems are resolved in a more efficient and uniform way. He stated they are happy with their current system of organized collection and he does not foresee it changing when it is considered for renewal next year. Ed Seeckon, 889 Main Street, asked if the contract will be given to the hauler that pays the City the most. Mayor Landers explained that as with other bids the City awards, the low bidder will be considered as long as they are a reliable company. Council Member Neal asked if the garbage hauler will be changed each year as the contract comes up for renewal; if it will be a one year contract. Mayor Landers stated this has not been determined yet. Ms. Constant explained the Solid Waste Committee has not researched this area but customer service issues can be worked out and included as part of the contract. She explained that pricing may not be the number one issue for the contract award. Council Member Kuether stated the calls she has received have indicated that customer service and cost are the two main issues, that they go hand-in-hand. Council Member Neal asked if residents will all be paying the same amount for hauling service. He explained situations where some residents are eligible for discounts but are not aware of it and don't ask for it. Ms. Constant clarified if organized collection is approved, the same amount will be paid from house to house. Council Member Neal stated the only concern he has heard is about the early morning noise when garbage is picked up. Ms. Constant read a letter from Jean Kuehn, Columbia Heights Recycling Coordinator, indicating they have used an organized collection service for about 12 years and found benefits of lower rates, unlimited collection including curbside pickup of recyclables and appliances, recycling center service, service above and beyond including collection of branches during the winter months after an ice storm (at no additional cost to residents or city), one -call problem resolution, door pickup (rather than curb pickup), all collections on the same day, and city billing. PACrN COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 Council Member Lyden asked if Lino Lakes will benefit financially if the Council decides to go to organized collection. Ms. Constant explained this is not the City's intent or what the Recycling Committee has presented. Mr. Seeckon stated he knows of several residents who take their garbage to their business so they do not need collection services. He asked if they would be required to contract with hauler. He stated he lives on a street that gets many truck trips and is in as good of shape as any other street. Ms. Constant stated the Committee did look at this issue as well as residents that share garbage service but the City has laws they need to abide by to assure all residents can dispose of their waste in an environmentally safe manner. She commented on the importance of also providing for adequate recycling services. COMMENTS LINO LAKES LICENSED HAULERS Denny Fredrickson, Ace Solid Waste, stated that a number of residents do not have service but Ace Solid Waste does provide them with recycling service at a fee. He commented on the low market for recyclables and reimbursement received back from the City. Mr. Fredrickson noted that the City does have the information needed to determine who does and who does not have regular pick up service. He advised that Ham Lake has organized collection and has the same question about where some residents dispose of their waste. Mr. Fredrickson asked how often Lino Lakes has met their recycling goals. Ms. Constant stated io this has not been a problem. Mr. Fredrickson asked how many licensed haulers take their garbage to the RDF Center. Ms. Constant advised that all of them do. Council Member Neal asked if there are two unlicensed haulers coming into Lino Lakes. Mr. Fredrickson stated there may only be one. Ms. Constant stated she is not aware of any. Mr. Fredrickson asked if there are any haulers operating in Lino Lakes who are not licensed. Ms. Constant stated there are none that she is aware of and five haulers are licensed. Mr. Fredrickson noted there is a truck repair service in Lino Lakes that fixes garbage trucks so it may appear there are more trucks in the City but they are just being repaired, not hauling. Mr. Fredrickson asked what is being done to minimize damage to streets by the haulers. Mr. Ahrens stated is not aware anything is being done. Council Member Kuether noted that Lino Lakes is a Charter City and unable to repair roadways. Mr. Fredrickson advised that haulers do have a program to minimize damage to streets by running trucks with lighter loads. Mr. Ahrens pointed out that during the spring time the roads are also not able to handle as much weight so this may not actually result in lessening the damage to the roads. PA(i 4 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 COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 Charter City and the Council is very limited as to what they can do for road repair and road reconstruction. When an issue like this becomes known, that potentially has impact on roads, the Council has the obligation to investigate the issues. Mayor Landers referred to a flyer that was sent out by Ace Solid Waste. He challenged Ace Solid Waste on the information included and asked where these comments were derived from. Mayor Landers stated the City has never made a statement that residents would see a reduction in taxes. Mr. Fredrickson stated the savings would be from the wear and tear on the roadway which would lower taxes. Mayor Landers stated this is a very misleading statement and should have been worded differently. Mayor. Landers read the statement regarding the possibility of hiring additional City personnel and stated it has already been indicated there will be no additional personnel. He stated this is a very misleading statement. Mr. Fredrickson asked if this will remain true (no additional City personnel) after going to organized collection. Council Member Kuether stated everything in this flyer was designed to fill the Council Chambers tonight. She added that everything in the flyer is not true. Mayor Landers noted the comment indicating Ace has always worked with the City and community and is the founding company and contributor to the Friends of the Park. Mayor Landers clarified that Ace Solid Waste is a contributor, which is greatly appreciated, but was not the founder. He advised that actually Jacqueline Farm was the founder of Friends of the Park. Mr. Fredrickson agreed and stated they made a mistake about that statement. BREAK / RESPONSE TO QUESTION CARDS At this point, question cards were distributed to those in attendance. Mayor Landers declared a ten minute recess at 8:07 p.m. to allow time for the cards to be filled out. The meeting was reconvened at 8:17 p.m. Mayor Landers explained the intent of the cards is to get the resident's questions and eliminate duplication. Ms. Constant read a question card asking if any of the four haulers could bid on the contract and provide this service. The haulers in attendance indicated they could. Ms. Constant read a question asking whether residents will receive the same level of service with an organized collection system. She stated she believes the contract can be drafted to assure residents get the same level of service. PAG1 6 • COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 Ms. Constant read a question asking how the survey was conducted. She explained 400 residents were surveyed by a random telephone survey on a lot of issues, including organized collection. Ms. Constant read a question indicating they were not surveyed. She explained that 400 households were surveyed, not the entire City. Ms. Constant read a question asking if the City can guarantee lower costs. She explained if additional services are being requested, the City cannot guarantee lower costs. Ms. Constant read a question asking if this will be a single hauler contract or will each hauler be given a separate area. She stated the Council can look at these two options, a single hauler or a consortium. Ms. Constant read a question asking if there will be additional cost for extra things in garbage can. She explained can not answer this question at this time. Ms. Constant read a question asking if rates will go up if the City takes over. She explained the rates will be for services provided. Ms. Carlson, BFI, stated the hauler will look at the services the City wants and cost for those services. Or, the City could bid the contract so residents do not have to pay for anything extra picked up. Ms. Constant read a question asking what are the State mandates for waste collection. Mr. Hawkins explained the Statute states the government may organize collection but is not mandated to do so. Ms. Constant stated the City can organize collection if they want and any city over 1,000 residents must have garbage collection. Ms. Constant read a question asking if there will be a forum for residents to have additional input about the selection of the hauler. She explained if organized collection is approved, a competitive bid process would be used. Ms. Constant read a question asking how much the City will reduce impact on roads by going from five haulers to one hauler. Mr. Ahrens stated extra service life from the road is difficult to determine due to other things that impact roads such as weather and construction techniques. He stated if you can reduce one of the factors that impact the roadway, it makes sense that the impact will be reduced. A resident asked how many miles or impact will be reduced since the same number of homes need to be serviced and the same amount of garbage needs to be picked up. He asked if there have been any studies that looks at the impact on roadways. Council Member Lyden asked if you can reduce five haulers to one, if you have lessened the impact by four -fold. Ms. Constant stated the Committee looked at the routes and found most run I'./V;r: 7 COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 on the majority of all of the streets. She stated it should lessen the impact by going from twelve trucks to three, but the weight of the truck was not specifically looked at. The resident noted that one truck will not be able to pick up all of the garbage and may need to make several trips down the same roadway. Mayor Landers requested that audience input be made during the open hearing portion of the meeting. Mr. Ahrens asked how many households can be serviced by one garbage truck. The hauler stated it depends on the time of year and depends on the type of truck that is used. He stated a small truck can haul 100 to 150 houses and larger trucks, depending on the season, can haul for approximately 400 houses. Mr. Ahrens commented that the question asked by the resident would require detailed study. Ms. Constant read a question about school buses, if they should be limited, and suggested the City go after the 500 residents that do not have pickup rather than going after all residents. She explained that the information provided by haulers does not provide the information about who those 500 residents are. She stated she was also not aware that Ace provides recycling for a fee. Mr. Luchsinger, 6965 Lakeview, suggested the City first assure all residents receive service before considering organized collection. With regard to bus impact, Mr. Ahrens reviewed data compiled by Mn/DOT indicating that an MTC bus has the highest impact of 3125 passenger cars and a fully -loaded school bus and trucks with trailers have an impact of 1000 passenger cars. He reviewed statistics about the impact for other types of larger vehicle. Mr. Lexinger stated the City should not blame garbage trucks for road deterioration because buses have a greater impact. Mr. Ahrens agreed there are a number of vehicle types and the City is not just blaming garbage trucks but that is one aspect. Ms. Constant explained they are not blaming any specific vehicle and garbage trucks do provide a service but they are looking at whether geographic terms can be agreed on to reduce the number of vehicles. Ms. Constant read a question asking if other types of vehicles will also be reduced. Greg Lewis stated there are only two garbage trucks and two mile trucks go on his street and asked if the number of milk trucks will also be limited. Ms. Constant noted the Council has not made a decision and is requesting public input at this time. Ms. Constant read a question asking how a one hauler system will assure competition and low cost. She explained the process will assure competition since it is a competitive market and if the City decides for one bid it will be very competitive. I'/\GI: X COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 Ilene Courtur stated her questions were not answered. Mr. Ahrens read a question about property tax impact and if taxes will go down. He explained the City does not tax for road improvements so the taxes will not go down. Also, the Charter states that general tax dollars cannot be used for road repairs. Ms. Courtur stated her question was that the Ace flyer did not influence her decision to attend the meeting or opinion about the issue. She stated she does not want her choice limited, unless a bid is let which will provide for competition. Ms. Courtur stated right now she can change haulers whenever she chooses and believes an organized system does limit her choice. She reviewed the other types of trucks that use the City's streets and noted there has not been a study about road impact but it sounds like the City is blaming garbage trucks. Ms. Constant explained the Committee looked at all garbage routes, as provided by the haulers. Ms. Constant read a question asking haulers if they would open their books to verify their costs to assure a closed system is more competitive. Ms. Carlson, BFI, stated if it is an organized collection system then the price is a public price. She stated there is a difference between cost and price, price being what the person pays for service. Ms. Carlson stated they would probably not allow residents to look at costs but they are more visible and evident in some hauling scenarios. However with price, it can be easily compared since residents know what each hauler charges and with an organized collection system that number can be obtained. She explained there are many different levels of service in the marketplace and suggested residents look at service to service to determine what the price is. Mr. Fredrickson explained that Ace is in a couple of cities by contract and in those two cities, they are set up to consider the consumer price index which is a figure used to know how much inflation has affected everyone. He stated that in those markets they can request the consumer price index (3% to 4% per year) every year and get it. However in Lino Lakes it is not possible to pass that price on because of competition. He stated that he will figure out a way to keep from passing those costs on because of competition. Ms. Constant asked if haulers currently drop customer rates when the tip fees or waste disposal fees are reduced. Mr. Fredrickson asked if when the cost for a barrel of oil drops, the consumer ever sees it. He noted that hauler's price of service includes costs for personnel, insurance, diesel fuel, and tires and they have reduced rates when those costs go down. Ms. Constant explained that residents need to understand that there are disposal issues going on and when disposal rates drop there is currently no impact to the resident. • Mr. Fredrickson stated there are also contracts that have never dropped disposal fees. He suggested that residents call to ask about the fee for various service levels. PAGN 9 COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20,1996 Mr. Glewe stated disposal is only one part of the cost and another is labor in that employees always expect a salary increase. Other factors include insurance, disposal fees, and cost of fuel. If one of those goes down, it is usually offset by an increase in another area so the consumer sees no increase. However, if all four go down, the consumer sees a decrease. Ms. Constant asked if there would not be a reduction in those costs and less miles in the system if it is established geographically. Mr. Glewe stated there would be less miles but more garbage collected per mile which results in more wear an tear on the truck. He explained the need to calculate the pounds of weight per inch of tire surface to determine the impact to the roadway. Ms. Carlson explained that when the truck is on a route, it has to go from house to house and there is a fixed cost. She stated there are also variable costs and you need to look both. Ms. Carlson commented on the impact to employees when going from house to house to house. She stated they look at the entire route and how many trucks are needed, not how many can be utilized. Ms. Carlson stated organized collection routes are harder physical work. OPEN MIKE Mayor Landers opened the public hearing at 8:59 p.m. and asked residents to limit their comments to three to four minutes. • Curt Beske, 1209 Rondeau Lake Road, stated this takes away free enterprise and stated all this money will be coming in to the City. He asked how employees will administer this money. He 41, asked if this Council approved the low bidder to construct roads that were not up to specs. Greg Lewis, 7830 Meadowview Trail, asked if going with the new system, will everyone have one garbage can or more. He stated the hauler the use now will pick up all cans at no extra charge. Todd Arcand, 878 Olive Street, stated he thought the City was going to send out a notice to residents and asked if notice will go to all residents of Lino Lakes. Mayor Landers stated notices will beput in the newspaper but he doubted the City will mail notice to over 4,000 households. Mr. Arcand stated if all residents do not get an opportunity to vote, then it is not fair. Mayor Landers reviewed the many areas the meeting was advertised including the newspaper, newsletter, cable television and community billboard. Dave Kelly, 210 Woodridge Court, stated he has the right to fire his garbage hauler for any reason and get a new one. He stated he does not know all of the issues or costs but reminded the Council that they ran for Council on campaigns based on the importance of individual rights. He stated it is a serious issue to take away a right and it is up to the Council to convince residents that it is for their good to give up that right. Mr. Kelly stated the newspaper has not been delivered to his neighborhood for several months so he did not receive that notice. Suzie Guthmiller, 642 Fox Lane, stated she supports organized collection and believes it would be the best. She explained that she is sick or the garbage trucks going up and down the streets. She advised that [IFI trucks hack up and down on her street and it is an unsafe situation for her IAGNiu COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 children. Ms. Guthmiller stated she used to live in Blaine where they have organized collection and there was hauling on only one day so there was not blowing garbage for several days each week. She stated it does not matter who picks up her garbage as long as they are a quality company that does a good job and disposes of it properly. She stated that competitive bids will create competition and the City can assure quality service through the bids and the prices will not increase. Ms. Guthmiller stated she was appalled when she received the Ace flyer, which is her current hauler, but she will not keep them as her hauler because they "knock down" everything that the City is talking about. She asserted that one-half of the people would not be here tonight if not for the flyer and urged the Council to consider organized collection. Jerry Clausen, 6109 Baldwin Lake Road, stated he does not like government in his "pocket" and supports an individual's right to choose their own hauler. He stated he has been treated good by BFI and does not want to change. He stated he saw Baldwin Road constructed and it was a good road that lasted a long time and the overlay has also lasted a long time. Mr. Clausen stated the garbage trucks only goes by one day a week but he is concerned about the high rate of speed of other traffic while children are waiting for the school bus. He restated he does not like the government running his business. Ken Dufresne, 940 James, stated he is categorically opposed to socialism in any form. He asked if the Fed Ex and UPS trucks will also be restricted. Mr. Dufresne pointed out this Council allows two liquor stores within close proximity but are considering limited garbage trucks. He stated residents have been bombarded by information stating government will be reduced but now the government is talking about limiting garbage haulers by adding another level of government. Mr. Dufresne asserted this type of consideration is actually anti trust and urged the Council to let the garbage haulers support free enterprise. Fred Bodenhamer, 7868 Lois Lane, asked Ms. Constant if she said one of the main points is to reduce hauling to one day and pointed out that the haulers have said they could get it down to two. He also asked if staff indicated they would probably have to have two days for organized collection since it is such a large area. Mr. Bodmey asserted that the City does not have all of the facts and if the City thinks this will not increase costs they are wrong. He stated if his costs are increased, even if services are increased when he does not want them, it increases his taxes. Mr. Bodmey stated he does not forget who increases his taxes. Deb Jones, 7961 Nancy Jones, stated this street is 30 years old and no more than two haulers are running on the roadway. She stated her street is fine and she has never had any problems or heard any complaints about it. She stated she does not mind paying taxes but wants the right to make choices herself. She stated she is an informed consumer and assures the best value. She stated if her garbage hauler does not provide the best service then she will fire them and get a new one. Ms. Jones stated she believes the costs will continue to increase with organized hauling and asked if they have ever gone down. Linda Budnicki, 737 Country Lakes Drive, stated she has trouble believing these figures or believing that any reasonable person would think this is a good idea. She noted the smaller garbage hauling companies are going and she does not believe the City should try to give it to the "big guy." She stated she has a problem with the statistics about the truck traffic impact. She stated until the impact studies are done on a square foot basis. the City should not he using that l'AGf: 1 1 COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 information. She stated she feels there needs to be more homework done before a decision is made. Arnie Enzel, 6632 Pelican Place, stated he agrees with the majority of the comments made but believes some of the "nuts and bolt" questions need to be answered. He asked if there is organized hauling, will they be able to put out extra or larger pieces of garbage, and not be charged. Ms. Constant stated this will be part of the contract and service provided if it is an issue for the residents. She explained the contract can include volume based pricing if it is a concern of residents and the decision of the Council. Mr. Enzel asked if there will be one collector for the entire City of Lino Lakes or if several haulers will have specific sections in the City. Council Member Kuether stated that this has not yet been decided. Mayor Landers explained the purpose of the meeting tonight is to obtain public input and this is an open question and impossible to answer at this time. Warren Bachman, 1487 Ash Street, stated we should have better things to do than worry about the number of trucks that are going down the road. He asserted this is socialism, communism, and the residents should have the freedom to pick their church, store, and garbage collector. He stated he does not know where the engineer got his figures from but he does not believe the statement. Mr. Bockman asked what size and weight of car is being used in the comparison about garbage trucks. Don Dunn, 6885 Black Duck Drive, Vice -Chairman of the Charter Commission, stated he would like to voice his personal opinions. He explained that about two years ago, the City Council came to the Charter Commission to ask for help to revise the Charter to allow for road reconstruction. He stated the Charter Commission responded to that request but the Council votedit down. Therefore, the City does not have a decent remedy for reconstructing roads. Mr. Dunn stated there has been a lot of pressure put on the Council to do something about road repairs, such as on Black Duck Drive. He stated we need to keep an open mind from the Charter standpoint about what the Council is trying to do in being responsive to that pressure. Mr. Dunn stated as an individual resident he feels like the majority to support free enterprise for garbage haulers. He stated he understands the Council is trying to help alleviate road problems and suggested the City is trying to work with haulers and listen to what the people want. He stated he supports free enterprise but is disappointed in the haulers in that he has been told that attempts were made to work out solutions in reducing the number of trucks, traffic, and decreasing the number of days, but it fell on deaf ears. Mr. Dunn stated he is glad they are now willing to work with the City to get some of these things the City is looking for. He stated less traffic results in less danger to children and less damage to the road. Mr. Dunn stated he has an excellent hauler and gets all the service he needs. He again suggested the City work together with the haulers who have indicated they have an open mind. PA( 2 COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 Al Robinson, 8299 Fourth Avenue, stated he has been in business for 40 years and has always been an advocate of free enterprise. The stated he thinks this proposed system looks like socialism. He asked how and why the City got to this point. Mr. Robinson asked if there had been problems with the garbage haulers prior to this point. Ms. Constant stated there have been residential complaints and the Committee looked at the three goals previously indicated. Another concern is those not receiving waste disposal services and commercial businesses complaining of residential garbage in their containers. Mr. Robinson stated he sees this every week at his business and has no problem with it. Mr. Robinson noted it has been indicated the City will not need additional staff and asked who will handle the extra work. He asked how many cities do not have organized collection. Ms. Constant stated they looked at both sides as a cost effective option. She stated she cannot answer how many cities do not have organized collection. Mr. Robinson suggested the City is only looking at one side and not the other. He asked how many cities in organized collection want to get out and why. Mr. Robinson stated the turnout tonight represents how most people in Lino Lakes feel, they are opposed to organized collection and support free enterprise. He stated he is very much opposed to organized garbage collection and favors free enterprise. Tim Luchsinger, 6965 Lakeview Drive, requested additional detail regarding issues staff has defined as problems, how many complaints and which hauler the complaints are against. Ms. Constant stated she would be happy to provide that information to him. Mr. Luchsinger stated the truth is the truth is the truth and he has nothing else to say. Joyce Scharpen, 801 Main Street, stated she likes the system as it is and has had the same hauler for 33 years. She suggested it be clarified that Council Member Neal gets free garbage because he lives in a senior housing. She stated Council Member Kuether should be happy about having a lot of people in the audience. Ray Johnson, 7971 Nancy Drive, stated he has lived in Lino Lakes since 1963 on a full rural street. He stated it has never been damaged until the City tried to fix it and asserted the City's plows do more damage to the streets than any other type of vehicle. He stated he has been in business since 1959 and believes in the free enterprise system. With regard to changing the fees charged, he asked if the City has ever lowered taxes when prices have changed. Mr. Johnson noted the residents are paying $36 per household to Anoka County for solid waste disposal over and above what is being paid. He stated the Council should think twice about this decision and should make sure residents enjoy free enterprise which is what this country was built on. Larry Brandt, 462 Lonesome Pine Trail, requested a timeline and asked when a resolution will be reached. He asked if there will be a citizen vote and if it will be advertised in the legal newspaper, on signs, or on cable television. Mayor Landers stated this will be the Council's decision and there may be another public hearing in regard to this, but he is not sure at this point in time With regard to a timeline, Mayor handers stated it is not known. especially if another PAGE. 13 COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 public hearing is held. Mayor Landers explained this will be advertised in the legal newspaper, 41) newsletter, community billboard, and cable television. Mr. Grant stated that expedience would be best for everyone. John Bergeson, 8125 Diane Street, stated he has heard a number of times that the Council is here tonight to listen to their constituents and he hopes they are because they are all voters. Eileen Courtur, 6937 Lakeview Drive, stated none of the haulers want organized collection and asked how many complaints were received. Ms. Constant stated this can't be looked at in numbers. Ms. Courtur asked who decided the City should go to organized collection. Ms. Constant stated the option of one hauler has not yet been determined. She noted that organized collection has been researched for many years and cost effectiveness was one of the reasons it was looked at. Ms. Constant stated she does not have the number of complaints received but can provide that information to Ms. Courtur. She explained the Committee had concerns and brought them to the Council. Ms. Constant noted the people in attendance are not the only ones that have provided input. Ms. Courtur asked how many calls, pro and con, were received. Mayor Landers stated he received 26 calls, three for and the rest against. Council Member Kuether stated she received three calls against but once it was explained they supported it. • Council Member Neal stated he received 90 calls with three for and the rest against. Council Member Lyden stated he received 14 calls with two for and the rest against. Council Member Bergeson stated he received four letters and is not sure how many calls he received. Ms. Courtur noted it has been mentioned to do a study but that will cost money. She pointed out there is no majority in support and asked how much more money will go into it. Council Member Kuether clarified that the Council never receives calls in support of anything. Ms. Constant noted the survey results from 400 households. Ms. Courtur stated she never responds to telephone surveys. Mayor Landers asked if anyone else would like to make comment or provide input. No one responded. Council Member Kuether moved to close the public hearing at 9:45 p.m. Council Member Bergeson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. I'n<& 14 • COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1996 COUNCIL CLOSING COMMENTS Council Member Neal stated he was asked if the garbage companies are union. He noted a resident had indicated the truck goes up her street and then backs up. Council Member Neal stated his hauler goes down the middle of the street at 5:00 a.m. and picks up both sides at once. He stated the biggest problem he has is if it goes to bid and then no one bids. ADJOURN Council Member Kuether moved to adjourn at 9:50 P.M. Council Member Lyden seconded the motion. Aye. These minutes were considered, corrected, and approved at the regular Council Meeting, August 25, 1997. Transcribed by: Carla Wirth TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial :) - , ) .-41-40-Xl M r lyn G. Anderson, Clerk -Treasurer l'AGF 15 L. Landers, rs, Mayor