City of Sauk Rapids

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING

SAUK RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL

SAUK RAPIDS GOVERNMENT CENTER, 250 Summit Ave. N.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

6:00PM

MINUTES

6:00 PM

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

Mayor Saunders called the meeting to order at 6:00p.m. Members present: Brad Gunderson, Jared Gapinski, Bill Bard, and Paul Weber. Others present: Adam Ripple, City Attorney, Pete Eckhoff, Public Works Director, Todd Schultz, Community Development Director, Jack Kahlhamer, Finance Director, Terry Wotzka, City Engineer, Perry Beise, Police Chief,and Dana Furman, Administrative Services Coordinator

1. Approve Agenda

Motion: Moved by Councilperson Weber and seconded by Councilperson Gapinskito approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

1. Public Hearing:

A. ApplicantPurpose

City of Sauk RapidsTo Consider Adopting A Resolution Of Intent To Organize A System For Collecting Solid Waste Within The City

1. Open Public Hearing

Mayor Saunders stated that due to a schedule conflict the first speaker tonight will be the Mayor of Waite Park, Rick Miller.

Rick Miller, Mayor of Waite Park, noted that the City of Waite Park is one of the area communities that have a single refuse hauler for the City. Miller stated that the one hauler system has been in place in Waite Park for as long as he can remember. The City of Waite Park is divided in half from north to south for refuse pickup. Miller noted that West Central Sanitation is the organized hauler that Waite Park has contracted with for another five years. The residents of Waite Park are not billed directly in Waite Park as the refuse services are included on the taxes. Miller said that residents pay approximately $13 a month for garbage. Miller stated that he believes the streets are being saved by this type of system. He said that the trash hauler sends one bill to the City instead of to every resident. Another plus noted was that the garbage cans are only out one day a week with this system instead of possibly every day with an open hauler system. Miller stated that with an organized hauler system if trash cans are missed or garbage is spilled out on the road then the City knows which hauler is responsible. He said that two special pick-ups a year are provided to residents under the service contract that the City of Waite Park has with its hauler. The City of Waite Park’s fee includes a 60gallon container, and recycling is included with the monthly fee. Miller concluded by wishing the City of Sauk Rapids the best of luck in making whatever decision is best for the City of Sauk Rapids.

Ross Olson noted that he was asked several times over the phone questions about how the proposed organized hauler system would work in terms of policies. Olson explained that should the Council choose to opt for an organized hauler system, then the City will have as described by Statute 90 days to develop a policy. Olson stated that many cities with an organized hauler system have a “menu” to determine what best suits their needs in terms of number of pick-ups, type of garbage can, etc. Olson said that another issue that will need to be discussed and solved over the 90 day period is how to handle out of town residents and snow birds.

Jack Kahlhamer noted that the City Council held a public hearing on the issue of organized collection of solid waste on April 13, 2009. He stated that the City Council on August 13, 2012 directed staff to review the concept of an organized collection of solid waste in the City of Sauk Rapids. Kahlhamer noted that following the Council’s decision to reinvestigate this issue staff called around to other area cities to update the surveys and information that had been provided in 2009. The reason that this proposal is being reconsidered is to try to protect some of the City’s most expensive assets—the City streets. Kahlhamer said that the City is not bringing this forward simply because the City might want to get involved in waste collection. He stated that per the memo from the City Engineer, a typical garbage truck has the equivalent impact on a roadway of approximately 1,200-1,500 typical cars or trucks. The City has approximately $58,500,000 invested in its streets, which the City is responsible to maintain and reconstruct. He stated that weather and traffic also play a huge role in the accelerated deterioration of the roadways.

Kahlhamer advised the Council that per the recent survey that he did of other cities that have an organized waste collection system, the estimated average cost savings could be anywhere from approximately $0.06 per month to $10.69 per month. He noted that the average is more likely to be a savings of approximately $3-$7 per month.Kahlhmaer said that based on economies of scale the proposed plan should equal savings for the residents.

Kahlhamer explained that should the Council approve the resolution of intent to organize tonight then essentially six months from today’s date is the earliest that organized collection could start. He noted that most Cities offer a 30, 60, 90 gallon rate as well as a senior rate. Kahlhamer stated that there is not intent for the City to hire employees to collect garbage, like the City of St. Cloud does.

Councilperson Weber questioned what all takes place during the second 90 day phase of this process. Councilperson Weber noted that he read that even haulers who do not currently haul in the City of Sauk Rapids will be eligible to bid during the second 90 day phase. Adam Ripple explained that the first 90 days following the Council passing the resolution of intent to organize is the planning stage, and the second 90 days is the implementation stage in which to facilitate the bidding process. Ripple stated that trash haulers currently outside of the City could be allowed to bid. He advised the Council that the process for organized hauling is rigidly structured by State law.

Terry Wotzka, City Engineer, noted that in addition to being the City Engineer for nearly 25 years, he is also a resident of Sauk Rapids (2025 Oak Drive). Wotzka stated that streets are typically designed for a twenty year design life. The goal is to do all possible to maximize the investment in the roadways. He noted that one of the parameters looked at is an equivalent single axle loading factor. Wotzka presented a garbage truck pavement impact analysis for the Council. The impact analysis showed that a cul-de-sac/alley designed for an average weekly traffic rate of 700-1,400 vehicles would be facing an equivalent garbage truck weekly load equivalent to 4,800 vehicles. Wotzka said that with a minor residential street designed for an average weekly traffic rate of 4,200-7,000 vehicles, the garbage truck weekly traffic would be equivalent to 4,800 vehicles. A Residential Collector that is designed for an average weekly traffic rate of 7,000-21,000 vehicles would see equivalent weekly garbage truck traffic of 4,800 vehicles. The garbage truck pavement analysis is based on 1,200 vehicle equivalency (including recycling vehicles) and four haulers per week. Wotzka said that the impact of a garbage truck on the pavement when you have four or five haulers utilizing the City streets per week is substantial. He said that this continuous impact prematurely ages the streets. Wotzka noted that he is also the City Engineer for the City of Waite Park and he has seen the organized hauler system work in Waite Park. Wotzka concluded by saying that the impact on the City roads is five times what it needs to be due to the five haulers that the City has licensed.

Councilperson Bard questioned the impact on alleyways. Wotzka said that alleys are not typically designed the same as the typical roadways, sothe alleys are more severely impacted.

Councilperson Weber stated that there was a very telling sentence in the memo from SEH included with the meeting materials. Councilperson Weber said that the information about the exemption that the garbage haulers have when it comes to seasonal weight restrictions is something that really stuck out to him. Wotzka explained that the garbage needs to be picked up regardless of the road conditions, so the trash haulers have exemptions.

Mayor Saunders reviewed the Public Hearing guidelines. He noted that public hearings are formal proceedings giving citizens the opportunity to express their concerns, ask questions, provide additional information, or show support of a certain issue. Mayor Saunders stated that citizen input is encouraged by the Council. He explained that the Mayor may use discretion whether or not to allow repeat testimony.

Doug Carnival, 737 Goodrich Ave, St. Paul, MN, noted that he represents the National Solid Waste Management Association (NSWMA). Carnival stated that NSWMA is not in favor of what the Council is proposing to do. Carnival noted that 21 cities and Counties in the State of Minnesota have proposed an organized hauler system in the last few years. He said that in only one City did the Council move forward because the citizens said no. Carnival said that in 2009, 1,000 citizens said that they were not in support of organized collection in the City of Sauk Rapids. He noted that tonight is the night where decisions are made in that if the resolution being considered tonight passes, then the intent becomes how to do it versus whether or not to do it. Carnival stated that residents want to pick their own vendors and if the City does this it will break the relationship that exists between the haulers and their customers. He said that by passing the resolution tonight the City is creating a monopoly. Carnival explained that the new plan might save residents money now, but who knows what will happen down the road when competition is gone. Carnival stated that by passing the resolution of intent to organize the City will become the hauler and the phone calls and complaints will go to City staff and the Council. Carnival noted that in the City of Maplewood a local family owned business lost 20% of its customers when the Council adopted an organized collection system. Carnival said that he believes that the impact that garbage trucks has on the roads is highly exaggerated. He advised that a better way to handle the issues that the City may have with its current open hauler system is to work with the haulers in the community. Carnival concluded by urging the Council to not take away customer’s ability to choose a hauler.

Donna Kemp, address not provided, stated that she is100% in support of what the Council is proposing. Kemp said that she was very disappointed in the negative mailing that was sent out by West Central Sanitation. She noted that people constantly complain about government, but yet they want government services. Kemp said that the City’s infrastructure needs to be maintained. She noted that the Council faces a tough decision, but that she believes that the City will be fair in the process. Kemp noted that she does not want to see five different garbage haulers driving up and down the streets. Kemp concluded by saying that she appreciates the tough stand being taken tonight.

Mark Hauch, 1520 5th Ave NE, stated that he did not believe that the roads in the City of Sauk Rapids are safe for pedestrians. He noted that the citizens need to be taken care of. Hauch said that he is in support of organized hauling as it will promote safety for pedestrians. He applauded the City Council for taking a stand.

Luke Swanberg,613 North Benton Drive, stated that the mailing that was sent out to the residents by West Central Sanitation was ridiculous. He noted that at this level of government the residents are the government. Swanberg said that he found the information included on the mailing from West Central Sanitation to be a joke. He said that the proposed system will be a competition. Swanberg explained that there would be term limits on the contracts with the proposed organized collection system, so he did not believe a monopoly would be created. He urged the Council to give the proposed system a try stating that if it doesn’t work they can always stop. Swanberg thanked West Central Sanitation for helping him to get more informed on this issue.

Sam Harms,901 Water Avenue South, noted that he is pleased with his current hauler. Harms said that he appreciates the fact that as a customer if he is not satisfied with the service received that he can simply call another competitor to receive trash collection services from. He stated that he feels it is arrogant of the City to ask him to pay the City money to seek who will best satisfy his needs for trash collection services. Harms explained that he did not feel that the trash hauler services are comparable to the Fire Department or other services provided by the City. He noted that somebody will have to take care of the responsibilities now taken care of by the haulers. Harms questioned if the City is going to hire more staff to take care of the items currently being administered by the haulers. Harms concluded by saying that he does not like the structure of the proposed plan as it opens things up for a bigger political game. He said that the current system is healthy.

Roger Wold, 117 Benton Oaks Drive, stated that he wants to have the ability choose a garbage hauler. Wold noted that he did not believe the statistic presenting regarding the impact that garbage trucks has on roads. Wold said that Americans want their right to choose who picks up their garbage.

Tim Meemken, 26 Skyview Drive, noted that this issue was resolved by the Council in 2009 and so he did not understand why the issue was brought back tonight. Meemken stated that he does not want an organized trash collection system, like the City of Waite Park. He said that residents don’t want this, which he felt was being made clear again tonight. Meemken said that he believes in freedom and free enterprise. He questioned if the City begins restricting the trash haulers if school buses would be the next target. Meemken noted that UPS, FedEx, and Speedy Delivery all come through his neighborhood several times a week as well.

JamiePhenow 1032 9th Ave. N, stated that he is opposed to organized trash collection. Phenow said that tax payers should not be used to create a middle man, and he resents the fact that this issue is again wasting everyone’s time. Phenow said that it does not make sense to blame the trash haulers for the roadways.

Art Daniels, 1137 4 ½ Ave. N., said that he was for an organized trash hauling system as he believes it is a money saver. Daniels noted that roads are the most expensive thing the City maintains. He stated that as a former City Council member he knows how much reconstructing roadways can cost a City. Daniels said that his alley takes a major beating from the numerous trash haulers going through it each week. Daniels stated that the cost per month being saved, the wear and tear on the streets, and the overall safety issue make him in favor of organized hauling.

Matt DeBettgnies,869 Pearl View Drive, noted that he is in support of an organized trash collection system. He stated that as a trained economist and businessman, he can testify that this plan is fiscally responsible and will no doubt benefit the City. DeBettgnies said that the City Council members are neighbors who also live in this community. He noted that this type of system has proven to be a great advantage for other cities. DeBettgnies stated that this topic should be brought under control if not now sometime in the near future.

Gerry Feld, 933 5th Street South, said that he does not want to see the City “try” and see what happens with this issue. Feld stated that this is not a trial and error type of thing. He said that if the City chooses to go this organized hauler route, then it must stick with it. Feld said that everything that possibly can be recycled is recycled in his home and his family does not have a garbage pick-up, so he does not want to be charged for something that he will not be using. Feld stated that people will be put out of work with this plan. He said that now is a time in which to create jobs versus eliminating jobs. Feld stated that an issue, like this, should be placed on the ballot instead of decided upon by the vote of the Council. He suggested allowing everyone to vote on the issue.

Michael Willemsen, 208 9th Ave S, stated that he was in favor of organized trash collection. He pointed out that the statistics being used tonight in support of organized trash collection are from MnDot. Willemsen said he is very concerned about the environmental effects of having an open hauler system. He said that the climate changes over the last few years is something concerning to him.