City of Anoka
City of Anoka 2015-2020
The following are various quotes from Mayor Phil Rice and a summary of the city's failed efforts to institute Government Managed Trash Collection from 2015-2020.
The following are various quotes from Mayor Phil Rice and a summary of the city's failed efforts to institute Government Managed Trash Collection from 2015-2020.
City of Anoka Mayor Phil Rice
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Mayor Phil Rice opposes your right to choose your own hauler, but on the other hand he supports your right to be homeless.
“People have a right to choose to be homeless. They have their right to their own pursuit of happiness” - Mayor Phil Rice (Minneapolis Star Tribune, July 30, 2016) "We are biased because our bias is what's best for the city." - Mayor Phil Rice (Anoka City Council meeting transcript, 12/9/19) "Yes, it's not even a question of whether you're going to have a single hauler. It's just when are we going to have a single hauler, you know." - Mayor Phil Rice (Anoka City Council meeting transcript, 10/28/19) |
Summary:
Starting April 1, 2019 (Sorry no, this is no April Fools joke), the city council started plotting behind the backs of the people to eliminate your right to choose your own trash hauler.
At the December 9, 2019 city council meeting, council members plainly stated that they wanted one trash hauler for the city.
The city council then held three additional meetings to plot their actions, May 28, 2019, October 28, 2019, and December 9, 2019, before they even gathered any opinions from residents.
To be clear, the city council proposed a system where government will pick your trash hauler, your level of service, your price, and order you to pay them whether you need their services or not!
GHCC also documented how Anoka City manager Greg Lee (who actually lives in the City of Andover) either grossly misled or outright lied to the city council concerning the content of the January 23, 2020 Open House slide show.
Furthermore GHCC has also documented how Anoka City manager Greg Lee has been making the fake claim to residents that 1 garbage truck = 1, 279 cars. This was proven false after New Hope city staff interviewed Dr. W. James Wilde P.E. in 2018, as noted in their report to New Hope City manager Kirk McDonald.
GHCC has posted the following pages which can also be selected on the drop down menu to the left under the Anoka menu selection:
City of Anoka (introduction)
April 1, 2019 Council Meeting (No April Fools Joke)
May 28, 2019 Council Meeting
October 28, 2019 Council Meeting
December 9, 2019 Council Meeting
January 23, 2020 Open House
February 3, 2020 Council Meeting
Altered Open House PowerPoint Presentation
Fake Claims About State Truck Weight Study
School Buses Heavier Than Garbage Trucks
Wild Claims About Garbage Truck Weights
Ridiculous Comparisons to Cemetery Roads
Mayor Rice's Shifting Number of Trucks
2015 Council Process
May 29, 2019 Anoka County Record
On April 27, 2020, the Anoka City Council decided to allow the citizens to vote on the issue in the 2022 election. Details would be worked out at a future meeting in 2021.
On November 3, 2020, the residents of the City of Anoka reelected Councilmember Brian Wesp and returned Jeff Weaver to the council to replace retiring Councilmember Mark Freeburg.
On March 22, 2021, the Anoka City Council was asked by staff for updated direction on pursuing government managed trash collection. After council discussion, the majority determined that this was not a priority for the city, and that the citizens were not in support of this.
Councilmembers Elizabeth Barnett, Brian Wesp, and Jeff Weaver directed staff to drop the issue immediately and that no further staff time or money be put into this effort. Mayor Phil Rice and Councilmember Skogquist objected and wanted the city to move forward to take away citizen's right to choose their own hauler.
Starting April 1, 2019 (Sorry no, this is no April Fools joke), the city council started plotting behind the backs of the people to eliminate your right to choose your own trash hauler.
At the December 9, 2019 city council meeting, council members plainly stated that they wanted one trash hauler for the city.
The city council then held three additional meetings to plot their actions, May 28, 2019, October 28, 2019, and December 9, 2019, before they even gathered any opinions from residents.
To be clear, the city council proposed a system where government will pick your trash hauler, your level of service, your price, and order you to pay them whether you need their services or not!
GHCC also documented how Anoka City manager Greg Lee (who actually lives in the City of Andover) either grossly misled or outright lied to the city council concerning the content of the January 23, 2020 Open House slide show.
Furthermore GHCC has also documented how Anoka City manager Greg Lee has been making the fake claim to residents that 1 garbage truck = 1, 279 cars. This was proven false after New Hope city staff interviewed Dr. W. James Wilde P.E. in 2018, as noted in their report to New Hope City manager Kirk McDonald.
GHCC has posted the following pages which can also be selected on the drop down menu to the left under the Anoka menu selection:
City of Anoka (introduction)
April 1, 2019 Council Meeting (No April Fools Joke)
May 28, 2019 Council Meeting
October 28, 2019 Council Meeting
December 9, 2019 Council Meeting
January 23, 2020 Open House
February 3, 2020 Council Meeting
Altered Open House PowerPoint Presentation
Fake Claims About State Truck Weight Study
School Buses Heavier Than Garbage Trucks
Wild Claims About Garbage Truck Weights
Ridiculous Comparisons to Cemetery Roads
Mayor Rice's Shifting Number of Trucks
2015 Council Process
May 29, 2019 Anoka County Record
On April 27, 2020, the Anoka City Council decided to allow the citizens to vote on the issue in the 2022 election. Details would be worked out at a future meeting in 2021.
On November 3, 2020, the residents of the City of Anoka reelected Councilmember Brian Wesp and returned Jeff Weaver to the council to replace retiring Councilmember Mark Freeburg.
On March 22, 2021, the Anoka City Council was asked by staff for updated direction on pursuing government managed trash collection. After council discussion, the majority determined that this was not a priority for the city, and that the citizens were not in support of this.
Councilmembers Elizabeth Barnett, Brian Wesp, and Jeff Weaver directed staff to drop the issue immediately and that no further staff time or money be put into this effort. Mayor Phil Rice and Councilmember Skogquist objected and wanted the city to move forward to take away citizen's right to choose their own hauler.
April 1, 2019
The city council meeting minutes clearly state that government managed trash hauling was raised by Mayor Phil Rice and supported by Councilmember Mark Freeburg. (see April 1, 2019 Council Meeting, No April Fools Joke)
The city council meeting minutes clearly state that government managed trash hauling was raised by Mayor Phil Rice and supported by Councilmember Mark Freeburg. (see April 1, 2019 Council Meeting, No April Fools Joke)
May 28, 2019
The city council meeting minutes clearly state, "Council consensus was to move forward with consideration of a single hauler system." (See May 28, 2019 Council Meeting)
The city council meeting minutes clearly state, "Council consensus was to move forward with consideration of a single hauler system." (See May 28, 2019 Council Meeting)
Councilmember Erik Skogquist
October 28, 2019
Mayor Phil Rice stated, "Yes, it's not even a question of whether you're going to have a single hauler. It's just when are we going to have a single hauler, you know." (see October 28, 2019 city council meeting)
Mayor Rice continued, in a tone implying that Anoka citizens are generally ignorant, stating, "We have to encourage people, both that are opposed and want the freedom to choose and those that believe that this is the right thing to do and go single hauler." (see October 28, 2019 city council meeting)
Councilmember Erik Skogquist stated, "I think an RFP obviously makes the most sense for the city and one hauler." "Let's get the clock rolling... we've already killed ten months." (see October 28, 2019 city council meeting)
Mayor Phil Rice stated, "Yes, it's not even a question of whether you're going to have a single hauler. It's just when are we going to have a single hauler, you know." (see October 28, 2019 city council meeting)
Mayor Rice continued, in a tone implying that Anoka citizens are generally ignorant, stating, "We have to encourage people, both that are opposed and want the freedom to choose and those that believe that this is the right thing to do and go single hauler." (see October 28, 2019 city council meeting)
Councilmember Erik Skogquist stated, "I think an RFP obviously makes the most sense for the city and one hauler." "Let's get the clock rolling... we've already killed ten months." (see October 28, 2019 city council meeting)
Councilmember Mark Freeburg
December 9, 2019
Mayor Phil Rice stated, "...I’ve said it before, it’s not a question of if we’re going to go to organized hauling. It’s just a question of when we’re going to do it..." (see 12/9/19 city council meeting)
Mayor Phil Rice stated, "We are biased because our bias is what's best for the city." (see 12/9/19 city council meeting)
Councilmember Mark Freeburg stated, "Well, the information that you give them is going to be slanted towards one hauler, because we’re going to be telling them how bad garbage trucks are." (see 12/9/19 city council meeting)
City manager Greg Lee stated, "I truly believe the writing’s on the wall. I think, Mr. Mayor, you said it right, that it’s not a question of if we go to organized hauling, it’s a matter of when." (see 12/9/19 city council meeting)
Several times during the meeting discussion, you hear council members state that they need to first "educate" the people. Clearly there is a general feeling that the people are ignorant, not capable of hiring their own trash hauler, and that government is all knowing and can always do better than the people.
One of the few accurate statements made by City Manager Greg Lee was his warning to the city council that people have the final say. He said, "People could start a petition to put it to a referendum. So keep that in mind."
GHCC has also documented how City manager Greg Lee at this meeting either grossly misled or outright lied to the city council concerning the content of the January 23, 2020 Open House slide show. (see Altered Open House PowerPoint Presentation)
Mayor Phil Rice stated, "...I’ve said it before, it’s not a question of if we’re going to go to organized hauling. It’s just a question of when we’re going to do it..." (see 12/9/19 city council meeting)
Mayor Phil Rice stated, "We are biased because our bias is what's best for the city." (see 12/9/19 city council meeting)
Councilmember Mark Freeburg stated, "Well, the information that you give them is going to be slanted towards one hauler, because we’re going to be telling them how bad garbage trucks are." (see 12/9/19 city council meeting)
City manager Greg Lee stated, "I truly believe the writing’s on the wall. I think, Mr. Mayor, you said it right, that it’s not a question of if we go to organized hauling, it’s a matter of when." (see 12/9/19 city council meeting)
Several times during the meeting discussion, you hear council members state that they need to first "educate" the people. Clearly there is a general feeling that the people are ignorant, not capable of hiring their own trash hauler, and that government is all knowing and can always do better than the people.
One of the few accurate statements made by City Manager Greg Lee was his warning to the city council that people have the final say. He said, "People could start a petition to put it to a referendum. So keep that in mind."
GHCC has also documented how City manager Greg Lee at this meeting either grossly misled or outright lied to the city council concerning the content of the January 23, 2020 Open House slide show. (see Altered Open House PowerPoint Presentation)
City manager Greg Lee
January 23, 2020
The City Council held their open house at the Green Haven Golf Course & Event Center to "educate" the public about their decision to take away your right to choose your own hauler and institute Government Managed Trash Collection.
Unlike 2015, there was no panel of industry professionals to answer questions. They also were cheap and skipped the complimentary cookies.
Hardly anyone attended. The room was mostly empty. There were more chairs than attendees. About a third in attendance were city employees or cable TV staff.
Noteworthy was the fact that City manager Greg Lee city altered the PowerPoint slide presentation. The slides that did not support the city council's "education" about how great it would be if government picked your trash hauler were mysteriously missing.
Yes, there were two slide presentations. The one prepared by staff, and the other which City manager Greg Lee actually showed to attendees.
Of the few residents who spoke, most were opposed to the city's efforts.
Only Councilmember Elizabeth Barnett and Councilmember Erik Skogquist attend.
(See January 23, 2020 Open House Meeting)
The City Council held their open house at the Green Haven Golf Course & Event Center to "educate" the public about their decision to take away your right to choose your own hauler and institute Government Managed Trash Collection.
Unlike 2015, there was no panel of industry professionals to answer questions. They also were cheap and skipped the complimentary cookies.
Hardly anyone attended. The room was mostly empty. There were more chairs than attendees. About a third in attendance were city employees or cable TV staff.
Noteworthy was the fact that City manager Greg Lee city altered the PowerPoint slide presentation. The slides that did not support the city council's "education" about how great it would be if government picked your trash hauler were mysteriously missing.
Yes, there were two slide presentations. The one prepared by staff, and the other which City manager Greg Lee actually showed to attendees.
Of the few residents who spoke, most were opposed to the city's efforts.
Only Councilmember Elizabeth Barnett and Councilmember Erik Skogquist attend.
(See January 23, 2020 Open House Meeting)
February 3, 2020
Citizens fill the council chamber at a regularly scheduled city council meeting and speak for 75 minutes on the city's effort to take away your right to choose your own hauler.
Councilmember Mark Freeburg announced at the end of the citizen comments that he will not fight with citizens on this issue and believes that it should go on the ballot for the citizens to decide.
(See February 3, 2020 city council meeting)
Citizens fill the council chamber at a regularly scheduled city council meeting and speak for 75 minutes on the city's effort to take away your right to choose your own hauler.
Councilmember Mark Freeburg announced at the end of the citizen comments that he will not fight with citizens on this issue and believes that it should go on the ballot for the citizens to decide.
(See February 3, 2020 city council meeting)
April 27, 2020
The Anoka City Council decided to place the issue of whether they should implement government managed trash collection on the 2022 ballot over the objections of Councilmember Erik Skogquist.
Mayor Phil Rice made the troubling statement that he felt the city needed more time to "educate" voters. This is another way of saying that he wants more time to use taxpayer dollars to convince voters to pick government managed trash collection over citizen choice. GHCC has seen this tactic used time and again by city officials. If residents disagree, spend taxpayer dollars to "educate" them until they have the "correct" line of thinking.
The Anoka City Council decided to place the issue of whether they should implement government managed trash collection on the 2022 ballot over the objections of Councilmember Erik Skogquist.
Mayor Phil Rice made the troubling statement that he felt the city needed more time to "educate" voters. This is another way of saying that he wants more time to use taxpayer dollars to convince voters to pick government managed trash collection over citizen choice. GHCC has seen this tactic used time and again by city officials. If residents disagree, spend taxpayer dollars to "educate" them until they have the "correct" line of thinking.
June 2020
Mayor Phil Rice, who supports government managed trash collection and opposes freedom of choice, files for reelection.
Council member Brian Wesp, who supports freedom of choice, files for reelection.
Council member Mark Freeburg, who was a vocal opponent of freedom of choice, but then flip-flopped in the face of significant opposition, choosing to support placing the issue on the ballot in 2022, chose not to run for another term.
Former Council member Jeff Weaver, who supports freedom of choice, files for election.
Two other candidates file, one connected to Council member Erik Skogquist, and would vote with Skogquist to institute government managed trash collection.
Mayor Phil Rice, who supports government managed trash collection and opposes freedom of choice, files for reelection.
Council member Brian Wesp, who supports freedom of choice, files for reelection.
Council member Mark Freeburg, who was a vocal opponent of freedom of choice, but then flip-flopped in the face of significant opposition, choosing to support placing the issue on the ballot in 2022, chose not to run for another term.
Former Council member Jeff Weaver, who supports freedom of choice, files for election.
Two other candidates file, one connected to Council member Erik Skogquist, and would vote with Skogquist to institute government managed trash collection.
November 2020
On November 3, 2020, the residents of the City of Anoka reelected Councilmember Brian Wesp and returned Jeff Weaver to the council to replace retiring Councilmember Mark Freeburg.
On November 3, 2020, the residents of the City of Anoka reelected Councilmember Brian Wesp and returned Jeff Weaver to the council to replace retiring Councilmember Mark Freeburg.
March 2021
On March 22, 2021, the Anoka City Council was asked by staff for updated direction on pursuing government managed trash collection.
The discussion among council members was lively. Within the first minute of discussion, Councilmember Elizabeth Barnett stated that her position was in support of providing residents the right to free market choices for trash service. Visibly Mayor Phil Rice starts shaking his head no. Councilmember Erik Skogquist starts smirking. Their animated and snide responses to comments in support of the right to choose your own hauler continued throughout the meeting.
Councilmember Jeff Weaver stated that the council had discussions in 2015 and a compromised had been reached to reduce the number of licensed haulers. He stated that he was totally fine with the 2015 agreement.
Councilmember Brian Wesp stated that he was still on the side of citizen choice, and that he stood by the 2015 agreement.
Mayor Phil Rice stated that he was not impressed by the 3 to 1 ratio of emails that he received, with three times as many stating that they wanted the freedom to choose their own haulers.
Councilmember Erik Skogquist complained about several items, including that one of the licensed haulers apparently was not currently picking up residential trash. Why that would concern Skogquist is unknown. One would think that he would be happy that there was one less hauler active in the city, correct? But no, he had to complain about too many haulers, and then also had to complain about one less hauler.
After council discussion, the majority determined that this was not a priority for the city, and that the citizens were not in support of losing their right to choose their own hauler.
Councilmembers Elizabeth Barnett, Brian Wesp, and Jeff Weaver directed staff to drop the issue immediately and that no further staff time or money be put into this effort. Mayor Phil Rice and Councilmember Skogquist objected and wanted the city to move forward to take away citizen's right to choose their own hauler.
On March 22, 2021, the Anoka City Council was asked by staff for updated direction on pursuing government managed trash collection.
The discussion among council members was lively. Within the first minute of discussion, Councilmember Elizabeth Barnett stated that her position was in support of providing residents the right to free market choices for trash service. Visibly Mayor Phil Rice starts shaking his head no. Councilmember Erik Skogquist starts smirking. Their animated and snide responses to comments in support of the right to choose your own hauler continued throughout the meeting.
Councilmember Jeff Weaver stated that the council had discussions in 2015 and a compromised had been reached to reduce the number of licensed haulers. He stated that he was totally fine with the 2015 agreement.
Councilmember Brian Wesp stated that he was still on the side of citizen choice, and that he stood by the 2015 agreement.
Mayor Phil Rice stated that he was not impressed by the 3 to 1 ratio of emails that he received, with three times as many stating that they wanted the freedom to choose their own haulers.
Councilmember Erik Skogquist complained about several items, including that one of the licensed haulers apparently was not currently picking up residential trash. Why that would concern Skogquist is unknown. One would think that he would be happy that there was one less hauler active in the city, correct? But no, he had to complain about too many haulers, and then also had to complain about one less hauler.
After council discussion, the majority determined that this was not a priority for the city, and that the citizens were not in support of losing their right to choose their own hauler.
Councilmembers Elizabeth Barnett, Brian Wesp, and Jeff Weaver directed staff to drop the issue immediately and that no further staff time or money be put into this effort. Mayor Phil Rice and Councilmember Skogquist objected and wanted the city to move forward to take away citizen's right to choose their own hauler.
Former Anoka City Manager Tim Cruikshank received a promotion by becoming City Manager in Golden Valley
2019-2020 vs 2015
The current actions of the city council is completely different from the open transparent process led by former City Manager Tim Cruikshank in 2015.
In 2019, under the city's new city manager, Greg Lee, the haulers have been completely cut out of the process as if they do not exist.
City Manager Greg Lee also has acted unprofessionally by making wild and unsupported claims about street maintenance, garbage truck damage to roads, and the political process.
While City Manager Greg Lee should know how to run a professional process, as he was a participant in the process led by former City Manager Tim Cruikshank in 2015, it is a fact that then employee Greg Lee was muzzled at the time by City Manager Tim Cruikshank.
City Manager Greg Lee stated, "I was kind of muted five years ago on purpose. I was told to stand down on some of these things..." (See 12/9/19 city council meeting)
The current actions of the city council is completely different from the open transparent process led by former City Manager Tim Cruikshank in 2015.
In 2019, under the city's new city manager, Greg Lee, the haulers have been completely cut out of the process as if they do not exist.
City Manager Greg Lee also has acted unprofessionally by making wild and unsupported claims about street maintenance, garbage truck damage to roads, and the political process.
While City Manager Greg Lee should know how to run a professional process, as he was a participant in the process led by former City Manager Tim Cruikshank in 2015, it is a fact that then employee Greg Lee was muzzled at the time by City Manager Tim Cruikshank.
City Manager Greg Lee stated, "I was kind of muted five years ago on purpose. I was told to stand down on some of these things..." (See 12/9/19 city council meeting)
2015
Some may recall that this issue was thoroughly discussed in 2015. At that time, Tim Cruikshank was Anoka's city manager (now city manager of Golden Valley). Tim Cruikshank insisted that a public process be conducted where the city's garbage haulers would be part of the discussion and that information presented would not be misleading. Tim Cruikshank involved all parties in the creation of a public presentation and opposed efforts to do polling at meetings, recognizing that it would not be productive to determine support or opposition by determining which side shouted loudest.
Current City Manager Greg Lee was an active participant in the 2015 process and was in attendance at staff meetings and the April 27, 2015 open house. At one of the 2015 staff meetings, Greg Lee admitted that he never read the full report on road maintenance from the City of Fridley that he referenced at the October 28, 2019 city council meeting. Upon questioning, he embarrassingly admitted that he did not even have a copy.
Garbage Haulers for Citizen Choice has archived documents from the 2015 process where the city council voted 4-0, with Mayor Phil Rice absent, to maintain freedom of choice, but to reduce the number of licensed haulers as companies merged or stopped servicing the city. (see 2015 Council Process)
The Anoka County Record also covered this issue in an article posted May 29, 2015.
Updated 7/12/20
Some may recall that this issue was thoroughly discussed in 2015. At that time, Tim Cruikshank was Anoka's city manager (now city manager of Golden Valley). Tim Cruikshank insisted that a public process be conducted where the city's garbage haulers would be part of the discussion and that information presented would not be misleading. Tim Cruikshank involved all parties in the creation of a public presentation and opposed efforts to do polling at meetings, recognizing that it would not be productive to determine support or opposition by determining which side shouted loudest.
Current City Manager Greg Lee was an active participant in the 2015 process and was in attendance at staff meetings and the April 27, 2015 open house. At one of the 2015 staff meetings, Greg Lee admitted that he never read the full report on road maintenance from the City of Fridley that he referenced at the October 28, 2019 city council meeting. Upon questioning, he embarrassingly admitted that he did not even have a copy.
Garbage Haulers for Citizen Choice has archived documents from the 2015 process where the city council voted 4-0, with Mayor Phil Rice absent, to maintain freedom of choice, but to reduce the number of licensed haulers as companies merged or stopped servicing the city. (see 2015 Council Process)
The Anoka County Record also covered this issue in an article posted May 29, 2015.
Updated 7/12/20