City of Anoka - 2026
"Round and Round... and Here They Come Again!
"Round and Round... and Here They Come Again!
Monday, January 5, 2026, Anoka City Hall
6:00 pm: Here from your local solid waste haulers & city council
7:00 pm: Public Comment before the city council
6:00 pm: Here from your local solid waste haulers & city council
7:00 pm: Public Comment before the city council
2025 - Early December
With no prior notice to the public, Anoka Mayor Erik Skogquist called a special city council meeting to restart the long and expensive process to institute Government Managed Trash Collection in the city. A scheme to kick out trusted solid waste haulers in the city and replace them with a city-owned or city-picked hauler from who knows where.
When we say "from who knows where", we are not joking. In 2024, one of the bidders Anoka was entertaining came from Chicago and had never worked residential trash hauling in the city, or anywhere the Twin Cities as a matter of fact.
If you think importing a company from Europe is unheard of, just look to St. Paul. They recently hired a company from Spain that residents had never heard, to run a Government Trash Collection Program which has been a continuous disaster and costly. St. Paul's new trash hauler even led to the city council canceling a proposed residential housing project in order for the new hauler to have a piece of land to park their garbage trucks on, infuriating neighbors.
Yes, make no mistake, this new effort is a repeat of the same scheme that voters rejected twice, after the Anoka city council spent more than $100,000 of your taxpayer dollars attempting to ram it through.
On Monday, December 15th, the city council voted 4-1 to spend more staff time and more of your money to move this forward to a planned November 2026 vote. (Note: Councilmember Jeff Weaver was the only NO vote.)
When we say "from who knows where", we are not joking. In 2024, one of the bidders Anoka was entertaining came from Chicago and had never worked residential trash hauling in the city, or anywhere the Twin Cities as a matter of fact.
If you think importing a company from Europe is unheard of, just look to St. Paul. They recently hired a company from Spain that residents had never heard, to run a Government Trash Collection Program which has been a continuous disaster and costly. St. Paul's new trash hauler even led to the city council canceling a proposed residential housing project in order for the new hauler to have a piece of land to park their garbage trucks on, infuriating neighbors.
Yes, make no mistake, this new effort is a repeat of the same scheme that voters rejected twice, after the Anoka city council spent more than $100,000 of your taxpayer dollars attempting to ram it through.
On Monday, December 15th, the city council voted 4-1 to spend more staff time and more of your money to move this forward to a planned November 2026 vote. (Note: Councilmember Jeff Weaver was the only NO vote.)
So what has changed?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
The city readily admitted that nothing has changed since the voters rejected their trash scheme in November 2024. Solid waste trucks are still the safest vehicles on the road, customer service is excellent, and Minnesota winters continue to be the primary cause of road damage.
At a city council meeting in December 2025, the police chief was asked about any safety problems with trash haulers. The chief answered that he knew of none. When the haulers were asked the same question, they responded that the dangerous part of their job is not driving through residential neighborhoods, but rather the daily work carried out at processing plants.
The city readily admitted that nothing has changed since the voters rejected their trash scheme in November 2024. Solid waste trucks are still the safest vehicles on the road, customer service is excellent, and Minnesota winters continue to be the primary cause of road damage.
At a city council meeting in December 2025, the police chief was asked about any safety problems with trash haulers. The chief answered that he knew of none. When the haulers were asked the same question, they responded that the dangerous part of their job is not driving through residential neighborhoods, but rather the daily work carried out at processing plants.
Why spend another $100,000?
The thinking, as Councilmember Sam Scott put it, is if the city council keeps putting this on the ballot over and over again, they could get lucky and it might pass.
Then shockingly, another reason cited was Mayor Erik Skogquist's brother Bjorn, having collected 61 signatures on an online petition in support of Government Managed Trash Collection, out of a city population of 18,000.
Then shockingly, another reason cited was Mayor Erik Skogquist's brother Bjorn, having collected 61 signatures on an online petition in support of Government Managed Trash Collection, out of a city population of 18,000.
Council ignores Charter Amendment:
In August 2024, Anoka voters amended the city charter, requiring voter approval before the city council tries to take way your right to choose your own hauler. 74% voted YES.
Now the city council claims that they can spend your tax dollars and staff time, plus force haulers to give them a price-fixing monopoly agreement, BEFORE calling a public vote.
Now the city council claims that they can spend your tax dollars and staff time, plus force haulers to give them a price-fixing monopoly agreement, BEFORE calling a public vote.
What can the general public do to speak out and stop this insanity?
First, attend the public meeting on Monday, January 5th, 2026. Starting at 6:00 pm, the city council and solid waste haulers will debate the issue. At 7:00 pm, the city council will take public comment.
Second, call your city council members and share your thoughts. Erik Skogquist, Sam Scott, Heather Rostad, and Brent Campbell voted YES to move this forward. Jeff Weaver voted NO.
Third, email city manager Greg Lee your thoughts. He will forward your email to all city council members.
Mayor Erik Skogquist
(763) 576-9219
Councilmember Brent Campbell
(763) 486-8430
Councilmember Heather Rostad
(612) 849-0202
Councilmember Sam Scott
(612) 695-5896
Councilmember Jeff Weaver
(763) 421-5522
City Manager Greg Lee
[email protected]
Second, call your city council members and share your thoughts. Erik Skogquist, Sam Scott, Heather Rostad, and Brent Campbell voted YES to move this forward. Jeff Weaver voted NO.
Third, email city manager Greg Lee your thoughts. He will forward your email to all city council members.
Mayor Erik Skogquist
(763) 576-9219
Councilmember Brent Campbell
(763) 486-8430
Councilmember Heather Rostad
(612) 849-0202
Councilmember Sam Scott
(612) 695-5896
Councilmember Jeff Weaver
(763) 421-5522
City Manager Greg Lee
[email protected]
Informational mailer #1
(Introduction, Cost, Charter Amendment)
(Click here for PDF file of all Anoka mailers)
(Introduction, Cost, Charter Amendment)
(Click here for PDF file of all Anoka mailers)
Updated 12/28/25