Agenda Packets - 2023/03/03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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year contract which would be highly undesirable to the private haulers, and a restriction of no more than 2 planning district contracts for any one vendor. This would eliminate the possibility of a big operator coming in and taking over. This approach would mean that no one vendor would have more than 6 trucks operating in the city which is similar to the way it's set up right now. Recycling could be worked into these contracts either at the source or at a central drop-off point. I would favor setting up two locations, perhaps one east and one west, in the city that would be transfer points for disposal of the refuse and also could act as recycling depots. These transfer stations would be in effect until something is developed on the modular incinerators which is a few years down the line. As you know, our study from the EPA grant is due on July Ist. But this plan that I have outlined would be the ideal as I see it at this point in the event discussions would come out at the Tuesday meeting. Needless to say, this plan would not be favored by the private haulers, but I think it would be fair to them and would be a reasonable plan that would guarantee the citizens getting the lowest possible rate for refuse collection. I think we should be careful not to get drawn into discussions of this plan beyond May 9th unless it is absolutely necessary. The reason I say this is that if you talk any kind of a competitive bid, it will rile up the private haulers and it may bring them together in a cohesive group but again I think we should be prepared in case the private haulers come on strong through their attorney to rebut what they say. It is my judgement that not only are the unions and the city refuse collectors in a quandary right now, but I also think it is more true in the private refuse collection area. The private haulers are now sitting on the fence and they don't know which way to go. They started out working with us in a very cooperative way and a very reasonable way and now they are starting to drift toward's the union position. Some of the astute private haulers recognize what's happening but not too many of them do. It's always been my position, Mayor, that if the private haulers really screwed us up during this transition period that our option in the future was very clear -- that being a competitive bid. Some of the private haulers realize that and that's why I feel they are in such a quandary right now. Many of the refuse haulers in Minneapolis have been inquiring about the situation in St. Paul and whether they can be considered for work here. In response to the questions, we have been generally vague at this point, but I know they are watching the situation very closely.