Mounds View 2015
The Beginning:
The City of Mounds View first came to the attention of Garbage Haulers for Citizen Choice (GHCC) in early 2015.
On May 4, 2015, according to a staff report, the city council expressed interest in researching the steps necessary to institute government managed collection, eliminating citizen choice to select your own garbage hauler.
At a city council meeting held on August 3, 2015 they discussed a report titled "Discuss Options Associated with Pursuing Organized Collection". (see report.) On page 3 of the report, staff quoted the ridiculously low price of $15,000 for legal services and consultant work.
As of the close of 2015, the City of Bloomington has spent over $500,000 in legal services, staff time, and consultants in order to force government managed collection upon the citizens of that community. They voted to spend $1,500,000 to implement their plan. They are currently fighting a lawsuit filed by local citizens, along with both a city charter initiative petition and a separate referendum petition. Consultants have quoted prices of $100,000 to work with cities of similar size to Mounds View.
GHCC Sends Letter:
On September 23, 2015, GHCC sent a letter to the mayor and city councilmembers dispelling many of the myths some claim come with government managed collection. (see letter) In our letter, we identify several city engineers and elected officials who have gone on record stating that government managed trash collection does not reduce road damage, increase road budgetary savings, improve safety, reduce price, or improve value. In the letter, we also thoroughly address the high financial cost to the city and residents. Based upon the questions asked by city council members at January 2016 meetings, it was clear that few if any of them actually read the letter.
City Commissions Professional Survey:
In late 2015, the city council commissioned a professional survey from Morris-Leatherman to gauge citizen interest in government managed trash hauling and to gather feedback as to whether residents were satisfied with the service they were receiving from their current hauler. Just prior to the start of the survey, the city sent out a letter to every resident informing them of the coming survey. In this letter, the city attempted to slant the survey results in their favor by implying that garbage trucks were damaging city streets. This was an accusation which was not supported by any facts. Several city engineers have stated that garbage trucks have no measurable impact on city streets.
On January 4, 2016, the city council reviewed the results of the Morris-Leatherman survey. (see survey) The Morris-Leatherman survey results, even after the city attempted to taint the results in favor of government managed collection, only showed 35% in support. Freedom to choose your own hauler was supported by 53%. Undecideds in the Morris-Leatherman survey were at 12% and based upon past experience in other cities, most of the undecideds have chosen freedom to choose when asked to make a decision.
The survey results also showed a strong connection between residents and their hauler of choice. 68% stated that they have used the same hauler for over 6 years. Almost 20% stated that they have kept the same hauler for over 20 years.
On quality of service, 96% rated their hauler as Good or Excellent. 81% stated that there were no problems which regularly occurred in their neighborhood. 73% said that there are no improvements they would like their hauler to make.
The survey showed that 82% received and read the city's letter with the unsubstantiated claim that garbage trucks were damaging city streets. Even in light of this letter, 75% said that it was very or somewhat important to choose their own hauler.
The city also accepted feedback from the handful of residents outside of the Morris-Leatherman survey. In every category, by greater margins, citizens supported choice and considered their current service to be good or excellent. Online survey results showed that almost 70% supported the right to choose their own hauler.
City Council Ignores Survey Results:
After the city council was presented the survey results at their January 4, 2016 meeting, Mayor Flaherty noted that there was clearly an overwhelming NO to government managed trash collection.
City council member Gary Meehlhause took the lead to set aside or ignore the survey results in order to move forward with government managed collection and take away citizen choice. Closely supporting him were councilmembers Al Hull, Sherry Gunn, and Carol Mueller.
Meehlhause stated, "there are times when the council has to make decisions regardless of the majority view." Hull stated, "Let's continue the discussion and take a risk." Gunn implied that some residents were confused. Mueller stated, "We have vision and we should take the risk... My heart is saying that organized collection is the right thing to do."
By the end of the meeting, the Mayor and all four council members asked staff to provide council a resolution at the next meeting to move forward with government managed trash collection and to take away the right to choose. All five members were in support of this.
Council Takes Action - Nothing Placed On Council Agenda - No Citizen Notice:
At the January 11, 2016 city council meeting, there was nothing on the meeting agenda that hinted that trash collection was even going to be discussed. (see agenda) At the end of the meeting, after all other council business was completed, suddenly trash collection became the topic of discussion.
City council members stated that state law did not require them to hold a public hearing and invite residents to comment before they voted to start the process to convert the city to government managed collection. In turn, they voted 5-0 to direct staff to immediately start the process.
GHCC Alerts Citizens:
In mid-January, GHCC alerted Mounds View citizens in a city wide mailing as to the actions their city council was taking to institute government managed collection. GHCC asked residents to weigh in with their opinions by sending letters, emails, or calling city hall. GHCC also informed residents that they had an opportunity to speak at the January 25, 2016 council meeting during the public comment section.
At the January 25th council meeting, residents packed the chambers. Standing room only with many residents also occupying the outside lobby area. Residents spoke for an hour with the overwhelming majority opposed to the city's efforts. Freedom of choice, lower prices due to choice, and questions about the city's priorities were raised by those opposed to the council's plan.
Council Directs Staff to Stop Government Managed Collection Process:
At the February 2, 2016 city council meeting, after the conclusion of all published items on their agenda, they opened up discussion of the government managed collection process they approved in January. The issue was not on the council's agenda.
After discussion, much of which centered on the process and the solid opposition of citizens throughout the community, the city council abruptly changed direction. Members directed staff to cancel all future meetings with garbage haulers scheduled as part of the 60-day negotiation process. Members then directed staff to bring forward a resolution at the next meeting which would formally cancel the city's efforts to institute government managed trash collection.
Council Officially Ends Government Managed Collection Process:
On Monday, February 8th, the city council voted to officially halt and revoke the 60-day process previously approved by the council and to end all current efforts to bring government managed collection to the City of Mounds View. The citizens spoke and the city council listened.
The council could choose to raise government managed collection anytime in the future.
Revised 2/9/16
The Beginning:
The City of Mounds View first came to the attention of Garbage Haulers for Citizen Choice (GHCC) in early 2015.
On May 4, 2015, according to a staff report, the city council expressed interest in researching the steps necessary to institute government managed collection, eliminating citizen choice to select your own garbage hauler.
At a city council meeting held on August 3, 2015 they discussed a report titled "Discuss Options Associated with Pursuing Organized Collection". (see report.) On page 3 of the report, staff quoted the ridiculously low price of $15,000 for legal services and consultant work.
As of the close of 2015, the City of Bloomington has spent over $500,000 in legal services, staff time, and consultants in order to force government managed collection upon the citizens of that community. They voted to spend $1,500,000 to implement their plan. They are currently fighting a lawsuit filed by local citizens, along with both a city charter initiative petition and a separate referendum petition. Consultants have quoted prices of $100,000 to work with cities of similar size to Mounds View.
GHCC Sends Letter:
On September 23, 2015, GHCC sent a letter to the mayor and city councilmembers dispelling many of the myths some claim come with government managed collection. (see letter) In our letter, we identify several city engineers and elected officials who have gone on record stating that government managed trash collection does not reduce road damage, increase road budgetary savings, improve safety, reduce price, or improve value. In the letter, we also thoroughly address the high financial cost to the city and residents. Based upon the questions asked by city council members at January 2016 meetings, it was clear that few if any of them actually read the letter.
City Commissions Professional Survey:
In late 2015, the city council commissioned a professional survey from Morris-Leatherman to gauge citizen interest in government managed trash hauling and to gather feedback as to whether residents were satisfied with the service they were receiving from their current hauler. Just prior to the start of the survey, the city sent out a letter to every resident informing them of the coming survey. In this letter, the city attempted to slant the survey results in their favor by implying that garbage trucks were damaging city streets. This was an accusation which was not supported by any facts. Several city engineers have stated that garbage trucks have no measurable impact on city streets.
On January 4, 2016, the city council reviewed the results of the Morris-Leatherman survey. (see survey) The Morris-Leatherman survey results, even after the city attempted to taint the results in favor of government managed collection, only showed 35% in support. Freedom to choose your own hauler was supported by 53%. Undecideds in the Morris-Leatherman survey were at 12% and based upon past experience in other cities, most of the undecideds have chosen freedom to choose when asked to make a decision.
The survey results also showed a strong connection between residents and their hauler of choice. 68% stated that they have used the same hauler for over 6 years. Almost 20% stated that they have kept the same hauler for over 20 years.
On quality of service, 96% rated their hauler as Good or Excellent. 81% stated that there were no problems which regularly occurred in their neighborhood. 73% said that there are no improvements they would like their hauler to make.
The survey showed that 82% received and read the city's letter with the unsubstantiated claim that garbage trucks were damaging city streets. Even in light of this letter, 75% said that it was very or somewhat important to choose their own hauler.
The city also accepted feedback from the handful of residents outside of the Morris-Leatherman survey. In every category, by greater margins, citizens supported choice and considered their current service to be good or excellent. Online survey results showed that almost 70% supported the right to choose their own hauler.
City Council Ignores Survey Results:
After the city council was presented the survey results at their January 4, 2016 meeting, Mayor Flaherty noted that there was clearly an overwhelming NO to government managed trash collection.
City council member Gary Meehlhause took the lead to set aside or ignore the survey results in order to move forward with government managed collection and take away citizen choice. Closely supporting him were councilmembers Al Hull, Sherry Gunn, and Carol Mueller.
Meehlhause stated, "there are times when the council has to make decisions regardless of the majority view." Hull stated, "Let's continue the discussion and take a risk." Gunn implied that some residents were confused. Mueller stated, "We have vision and we should take the risk... My heart is saying that organized collection is the right thing to do."
By the end of the meeting, the Mayor and all four council members asked staff to provide council a resolution at the next meeting to move forward with government managed trash collection and to take away the right to choose. All five members were in support of this.
Council Takes Action - Nothing Placed On Council Agenda - No Citizen Notice:
At the January 11, 2016 city council meeting, there was nothing on the meeting agenda that hinted that trash collection was even going to be discussed. (see agenda) At the end of the meeting, after all other council business was completed, suddenly trash collection became the topic of discussion.
City council members stated that state law did not require them to hold a public hearing and invite residents to comment before they voted to start the process to convert the city to government managed collection. In turn, they voted 5-0 to direct staff to immediately start the process.
GHCC Alerts Citizens:
In mid-January, GHCC alerted Mounds View citizens in a city wide mailing as to the actions their city council was taking to institute government managed collection. GHCC asked residents to weigh in with their opinions by sending letters, emails, or calling city hall. GHCC also informed residents that they had an opportunity to speak at the January 25, 2016 council meeting during the public comment section.
At the January 25th council meeting, residents packed the chambers. Standing room only with many residents also occupying the outside lobby area. Residents spoke for an hour with the overwhelming majority opposed to the city's efforts. Freedom of choice, lower prices due to choice, and questions about the city's priorities were raised by those opposed to the council's plan.
Council Directs Staff to Stop Government Managed Collection Process:
At the February 2, 2016 city council meeting, after the conclusion of all published items on their agenda, they opened up discussion of the government managed collection process they approved in January. The issue was not on the council's agenda.
After discussion, much of which centered on the process and the solid opposition of citizens throughout the community, the city council abruptly changed direction. Members directed staff to cancel all future meetings with garbage haulers scheduled as part of the 60-day negotiation process. Members then directed staff to bring forward a resolution at the next meeting which would formally cancel the city's efforts to institute government managed trash collection.
Council Officially Ends Government Managed Collection Process:
On Monday, February 8th, the city council voted to officially halt and revoke the 60-day process previously approved by the council and to end all current efforts to bring government managed collection to the City of Mounds View. The citizens spoke and the city council listened.
The council could choose to raise government managed collection anytime in the future.
Revised 2/9/16