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Mounds View City Council March 11, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 8 1 organized propaganda in the community which was not acting in good faith. 3 Mayor Lindstrom believed Ace and Walters had zero desire to act in good faith which was why a 4 better offer was not provided to the City. Furthermore, saying the Council doesn't support residents 5 right to choose was erroneous. He explained the Council has unanimously supported every part of 6 the Charter initiative. He discussed how the City has published information in the Mounds View 7 Matters in order to keep the public informed on this topic. To say the City feared the question and 8 was restricting rights was an egregious misrepresentation of the truth. He believed haulers feared 9 putting forth a competitive price would make residents see how badly haulers have been gouging 10 them on price for years. He stated if haulers valued the relationships they have in the community 11 so much, a competitive price should be provided to the City. 12 13 Mayor Lindstrom explained the Council has stated since the beginning that they wanted to see this 14 through to the end and that a price should be provided to allow for a broader conversation with 15 constituents. He indicated the Council was ready to reject the proposed price because it was not 16 good for Mounds View residents. He asked how the haulers have acted in good faith throughout 17 these negotiations when not all parties were acting in good faith. He stated it was the City's 18 sincerest desire to have a clean and fair process for everyone. 19 20 Mayor Lindstrom stated for the companies that aligned themselves with Haulers for Choice he 21 hoped the value of this relationship was fully evaluated and that these haulers would consider if 22 they truly acted in good faith with their municipal partners. That being said, he made it crystal 23 clear that the City would like to seek a price from these haulers. He wanted to consider the best 24 and final price from the haulers. He requested the Council table action on this item to terminate 25 negotiations until 12:00 p.m. on March 25 to deliver a final and best offer. He indicated the offer 26 presented to the City should be in line with other organized communities. He encouraged the 27 haulers to look at the rates being offered to Blaine and St. Anthony. He hoped the haulers would 28 bring back a good price for its residents, given the fact Mounds View has the lowest median income 29 in the area. He stated it was the City Council's responsibility to take care of its people. He asked 30 the haulers to be thoughtful about the community and the final price they present. 31 32 Mayor Lindstrom asked for comments from the public. There were none at this time. 33 34 Council Member Gunn thanked the Mayor for his comments. 35 36 Council Member Meehlhause thanked the Mayor for his comments as well 37 38 MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Gunn. To Table Action on this item to Monday, March 25, 39 2024 City Council meeting requesting haulers to submit a revised proposal to the City with a final 40 and best offer by Thursday, March 21, 2024. 41 42 Ayes — 3 Nays — 0 Motion carried. 43 44 Council Member Meehlhause recommended the Mayors statement be included in the minutes 45 verbatim, instead in a summary format. City Attorney Riggs stated this direction could be provided 46 to staff and the minutes could be amended to include this statement in verbatim form.