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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/06/1980 Unapproved Draft � . CITY OF APPLE VALLEY URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 6, 1980 PRESENT: Deters, Hein, McKay, Myers, Schwartz, Staff inembers Kelley and Pressnall ABSENT: None Vice-Chairman Myers called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M. Staff inember Kelley explained that further action on the gun ordinance revisions will be postponed until the questions raised at the special public meeting regarding definitions are resolved. Tonight the Committee will discuss a proposed revision of the rubbish ordinance to allow curbside placement of trash. Larry Knutson of Knutson Rubbish Service and Jim Thompson of Town & Country Sanitation were present. Mr. Knutson made a brief presentation of a proposal to divide the City into 3 districts (see attached map) where curbside placement of rubbish would be allowed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. If a hauler chose to offer service in these districts on a different day, the pickup would have to be made from the garage/rear yard as is required presently. All residential haulers except for Browning-Ferris agree with this plan. Browning- Ferris, because it is a large national firm, will not meet with any other haulers because it fears anti-trust suits. Schwartz asked why this request was being made. The haulers answered that fuel, labor and dumping costs were increasing and that pickup in Apple Valley takes twice as long as in cities without the curbside prohibition. In addition there is the expense of owning and operating the small cushman pickup vehicles. They are anticipating another general rate increase, but if the City would allow curbside pickup they could probably forego it - no guarantee, however. Deters said - what if a person lives in a Tuesday zone but has a hauler who picks up on Thursday; he will see his neighbors putting trash on the curb on Tuesday and will not understand (or be angry) that he cannot place his trash on the curb. Mr. Knutson felt that proper enforcement would prevent this although there might be some confusion at first. There was some discussion on whether or not curbside pickup was' desirable at all. Results of the survey recently completed by staff (attached) show that most outlying suburbs allow curbside pickup. The use of disposable bags can be re- quired to prevent empty garbage cans from sitting on the boulevard all day after the garbage truck has passed. The committee asked if there was a significant cost difference between curbside and non-curbside service. Knutson said he charges $7.00/month in Burnsville as opposed to $7.50/month in Apple Valley; Thompson charges $7.50/month in Apple Valley compared to $6.50/month elsewhere, the differences are because of curbside placement. Knutson said in Apple Valley one garbage truck can average about 300 pickups per day; in areas having curbside placement that same truck can average 600 + pickups per day. � � Page 2 Urban Affairs Committee Minutes 3/6/80 The Committee asked if there would be any resistance from customers whose pickup days were changed by a hauler who wanted to take advantage of the curbside district days. Knutson and Thompson said no, in rapidly developing areas such as Apple Valley there pickup scheduling changes often to accommodate new accounts and they get very few complaints. Deters asked if the Council didn't want strict hauler adherence to any trash district plan implemented, what would they think of a plan which still had haulers coming into a district on all days. Knutson said the present proposal is acceptable to all haulers because it wouldn't be a hardship on the small hauler who has a limited number of accounts scattered throughout the City; it would not be economical for him to have to come into the City 3 times a week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday� . Knutson and Thompson thanked the Committee for listening to their proposal and left the meeting. There was a general feeling by the Committee members that the question of curbside pickup should be put before the general populace. A survey through the Council Table was suggested. The possibility of dividing the City into districts and re- quiring each hauler to bid was also discussed; this would provide a uniform pickup day in each district but would preclude an individual from selecting his own hauler (freedom of choice) . McKay felt people would be willing to give up individual choice if the City controled the haulers to the extent that irresponsible haulers would have to change their ways. Having a City collection service was also brought up. It was decided that each committee member would poll their neighbors on the curbside/district question before the next meeting. Use of a Council Table survey would depend on when the next issue is due to come out. MOTION: of McKay, seconded by Deters, to adjourn. Passed Unanimously. Meeting adjourned 9:38 p.m.