City of Anoka
May 28, 2019 Council Meeting
The May 28, 2019 city council meeting minutes show that the city council has been working behind the backs of the people since their city council meeting of April 1, 2019. (See 5/28/19 city council meeting minutes, pages 3 & 4)
The city council meeting minutes raise alarms.
Councilmember Mark Freeburg states, "...these trucks have to stop and start quickly which affects the roads as well."
Councilmember Mark Freeburg apparently is unaware that garbage trucks drive SLOW, and have slow stop/starts, not "fast" stop/starts. This is no different than a city snow plow or dump truck.
City manager Greg Lee states, "if a single hauler system was implemented, the hauler would stop at each house and greatly decrease the fast stop/starts that affect roads."
What City manager Greg Lee fails to understand, is that if the city had 500 licensed haulers serving the city, one trash truck would still stop/start at each home, no different than if there was only 1 licensed hauler. Think about this for a minute. If stop/starts are what damages the roads, how can you reduce the number of stop/starts at a home? The only way is if that homeowner canceled trash service. Then no truck would start/stop there.
City manager Greg Lee appears to be claiming that since the city has six licensed haulers, all six haulers in the city stop/start a trash truck at every home. This simply is not true. The only time multiple trash trucks would stop/start at a home, would be if the homeowner decided to hire multiple haulers like ACE & Walters to service their home at the same time. There would be two different trash containers in front of the home. What homeowner in Anoka has hired multiple companies to take their trash? We know of none.
When the City of St. Anthony took over management of garbage service, over 10% of the homeowners did NOT have trash service. Mostly senior citizens. Many gave what little trash they had to their grand kids to take away, or shared a can with a neighbor. The city forced them to accept and pay for trash service even though they had no need for it. Yes, the city actually increased the number of stop/starts on their city streets by over 10%, every week, 52 weeks a year.
Mayor Phil Rice stated, "...if we can reduce street renewal costs from 25-35 years it would mean a lot to the City's budget." City manager Greg Lee stated, "...the City spends $300,000-$400,000 per year for additional street repair due to trucks..."
If this is true, then is Mayor Phil Rice proposing a $400,000 tax DECREASE for 2021? No city has ever considered lowering taxes when proposing to institute government managed trash collection. No city has ever lowered taxes after they have taken over the trash system. Ever!
The meeting minutes conclude by stating, "Council consensus was to move forward with consideration of a single hauler system."
May 28, 2019 Anoka City Council meeting minutes (PDF)
Updated 1/30/20
May 28, 2019 Council Meeting
The May 28, 2019 city council meeting minutes show that the city council has been working behind the backs of the people since their city council meeting of April 1, 2019. (See 5/28/19 city council meeting minutes, pages 3 & 4)
The city council meeting minutes raise alarms.
Councilmember Mark Freeburg states, "...these trucks have to stop and start quickly which affects the roads as well."
Councilmember Mark Freeburg apparently is unaware that garbage trucks drive SLOW, and have slow stop/starts, not "fast" stop/starts. This is no different than a city snow plow or dump truck.
City manager Greg Lee states, "if a single hauler system was implemented, the hauler would stop at each house and greatly decrease the fast stop/starts that affect roads."
What City manager Greg Lee fails to understand, is that if the city had 500 licensed haulers serving the city, one trash truck would still stop/start at each home, no different than if there was only 1 licensed hauler. Think about this for a minute. If stop/starts are what damages the roads, how can you reduce the number of stop/starts at a home? The only way is if that homeowner canceled trash service. Then no truck would start/stop there.
City manager Greg Lee appears to be claiming that since the city has six licensed haulers, all six haulers in the city stop/start a trash truck at every home. This simply is not true. The only time multiple trash trucks would stop/start at a home, would be if the homeowner decided to hire multiple haulers like ACE & Walters to service their home at the same time. There would be two different trash containers in front of the home. What homeowner in Anoka has hired multiple companies to take their trash? We know of none.
When the City of St. Anthony took over management of garbage service, over 10% of the homeowners did NOT have trash service. Mostly senior citizens. Many gave what little trash they had to their grand kids to take away, or shared a can with a neighbor. The city forced them to accept and pay for trash service even though they had no need for it. Yes, the city actually increased the number of stop/starts on their city streets by over 10%, every week, 52 weeks a year.
Mayor Phil Rice stated, "...if we can reduce street renewal costs from 25-35 years it would mean a lot to the City's budget." City manager Greg Lee stated, "...the City spends $300,000-$400,000 per year for additional street repair due to trucks..."
If this is true, then is Mayor Phil Rice proposing a $400,000 tax DECREASE for 2021? No city has ever considered lowering taxes when proposing to institute government managed trash collection. No city has ever lowered taxes after they have taken over the trash system. Ever!
The meeting minutes conclude by stating, "Council consensus was to move forward with consideration of a single hauler system."
May 28, 2019 Anoka City Council meeting minutes (PDF)
Updated 1/30/20