HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/06/1980 Unapproved Draft
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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.
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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.