Fridley
Garbage Haulers for Citizen Choice has been actively involved in supporting Fridley residents' right to choose their hauler since 2013.
In November 2013, the Fridley City Council's Environmental Quality & Energy Commission recommended government managed waste collection. The public was prevented from speaking to the commission at this meeting. The recommendation was forwarded to the City Council.
On December 2, 2013, the Fridley City Council voted to start the process to move to government managed waste collection. Citizens in attendance at the meeting were told by Mayor Lund that they would NOT be allowed to comment before the vote was taken. The council claimed that state law prevented them from taking public comment. No such law or prohibition exists.
The council partially justified their action based upon a community survey that had been done in December 2009. It is estimated that 15,000 surveys were sent out. Only 28 were returned or 0.00186%. 21 were in support, 6 against, and 1 unsure.
Throughout 2014, the Council and the Haulers continued discussing government managed waste collection. After the November 2014 elections, the Council and the Haulers reached an agreement for a government managed consortium. The city would be divided into zones based upon the current market share each hauler held. Competition and citizen choice would be eliminated. Haulers are required by law to negotiate with the Council in good faith.
The Council then held an open house to sell the proposal to the community. None of the Haulers attended to promote the agreement.
On December 8, 2014, the Council held a public hearing on the issue. Many residents attended to express their opposition. The Council decided to table the issue until their meeting on December 22, 2014. Again, none of the Haulers attended this meeting.
On December 22, 2014, the Council continued discussing the issue for an addition 2 1/2 hours and Council member Ann Bolkcom called for a vote. Her and Mayor Scott Lund voted Yes, the other three Council members, Bob Barnette, Dolores Varichak, and Jim Saefke voted No. Motion failed. The Fridley organized collection effort was defeated. Again, none of the Haulers attended this meeting.
Then on January 8, 2015, Council member Jim Saefke attempted to reconsider the previous vote from December 22, 2014. After a half hour of discussion, the council determined that it needed 4 votes to reconsider the issue and vote on it again. Council members Barnette and Varichak voted no. The motion failed. Again, none of the Haulers attended this meeting.
The city attorney then informed the council that they would have to start the entire organized collection process over again if they wished to vote on the issue again.
Anoka County Record covered this issue extensively in their December 18, 2014 and January 9, 2015 editions. Back issues can be found on their website at www.AnokaCountyRecord.com.
Garbage Haulers for Citizen Choice has been actively involved in supporting Fridley residents' right to choose their hauler since 2013.
In November 2013, the Fridley City Council's Environmental Quality & Energy Commission recommended government managed waste collection. The public was prevented from speaking to the commission at this meeting. The recommendation was forwarded to the City Council.
On December 2, 2013, the Fridley City Council voted to start the process to move to government managed waste collection. Citizens in attendance at the meeting were told by Mayor Lund that they would NOT be allowed to comment before the vote was taken. The council claimed that state law prevented them from taking public comment. No such law or prohibition exists.
The council partially justified their action based upon a community survey that had been done in December 2009. It is estimated that 15,000 surveys were sent out. Only 28 were returned or 0.00186%. 21 were in support, 6 against, and 1 unsure.
Throughout 2014, the Council and the Haulers continued discussing government managed waste collection. After the November 2014 elections, the Council and the Haulers reached an agreement for a government managed consortium. The city would be divided into zones based upon the current market share each hauler held. Competition and citizen choice would be eliminated. Haulers are required by law to negotiate with the Council in good faith.
The Council then held an open house to sell the proposal to the community. None of the Haulers attended to promote the agreement.
On December 8, 2014, the Council held a public hearing on the issue. Many residents attended to express their opposition. The Council decided to table the issue until their meeting on December 22, 2014. Again, none of the Haulers attended this meeting.
On December 22, 2014, the Council continued discussing the issue for an addition 2 1/2 hours and Council member Ann Bolkcom called for a vote. Her and Mayor Scott Lund voted Yes, the other three Council members, Bob Barnette, Dolores Varichak, and Jim Saefke voted No. Motion failed. The Fridley organized collection effort was defeated. Again, none of the Haulers attended this meeting.
Then on January 8, 2015, Council member Jim Saefke attempted to reconsider the previous vote from December 22, 2014. After a half hour of discussion, the council determined that it needed 4 votes to reconsider the issue and vote on it again. Council members Barnette and Varichak voted no. The motion failed. Again, none of the Haulers attended this meeting.
The city attorney then informed the council that they would have to start the entire organized collection process over again if they wished to vote on the issue again.
Anoka County Record covered this issue extensively in their December 18, 2014 and January 9, 2015 editions. Back issues can be found on their website at www.AnokaCountyRecord.com.
