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City of Anoka
​April 1, 2019 Council Meeting (No April Fools Joke)


This is where it all began, as noted on page 7 of the city council's meeting minutes.  Government managed trash hauling was raised by Mayor Phil Rice and supported by Councilmember Mark Freeburg.

Mayor Phil Rice said, "
Mayor Rice commented on how the City spends $7-8 million per year on street reconstruction projects while still allowing multiple garbage and recycling trucks as well as school bus traffic, all of which are heavy and known to be destructive and asked Council to consider ideas to better protect City streets from excessive damage. He said streets used to last 80 years or longer but that it no longer the case."

The City of Orono, MN states, "With proper preventative maintenance - periodic seal coating and mill and overlay - the new streets are expected to last 40 to 50 years".

See Orono public works department FAQ (PDF)

The City of Plymouth, MN states, "With maintenance, such as crack filling and mill and overlays, it is estimated that the new street will last about 50 years."

See Plymouth public works department FAQ (PDF)

For those unfamiliar with Mayor Phil Rice's educational background, he is not a public works director, does not work in the field of construction, nor does he work on roads.  In the October 23, 2018 edition of the Anoka County Union, he stated in their candidate guide that Mayor Phil Rice is a mental health case manager for Chicago County Health and Human Services department.

On one hand, mental health case manager Mayor Phil Rice publicly states at the April 1, 2019 city council meeting, "streets used to last 80 years or longer but that is no longer the case."  On the other hand, two Minnesota public works departments state that roads last 40-50 years with proper maintenance.

Mayor Phil Rice is claiming that roads in the City of Anoka should last 30-40 years longer than the public works departments of Orono and Plymouth state.  In other words, City of Anoka roads should last 75% to 100% longer.

​One might think this was an April Fools joke on the part of Mayor Phil Rice.  It was not.  Mayor Phil Rice clearly made his 80 year comment as noted in the city council meeting minutes.

See April 1, 2019 City of Anoka meeting minutes, page 7 (PDF)


Updated 1/31/20

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