Committee formed to examine cost for low-income residents
By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer
The citywide organized garbage collection plan was again the main topic of discussion during the New Richland City Council’s first meeting of the month on Monday, Feb. 11. All members were present, and two residents addressed the council to voice their concerns regarding the plan.
Susan Minter was the first to speak, saying she thought the way the plan was enacted was underhanded, unfair, and went against community values. Minter also took issue with the 1.5% yearly price increase included in the six-year garbage contract. She noted the difficulties this will cause for low or fixed income residents.
Connie Johnson, a neighbor of Minter, was second on the agenda to speak to the council. Currently, Johnson and Minter share garbage removal service, which fits their budgets and their needs. Johnson said she doesn’t feel the plan is in the best interest of the city, the process was not done properly, and it has caused conflict. Both citizens also took issue with the fact that it appears many concerns raised by other residents have been ignored or disregarded by the council.
“The council should be working for the residents,” said Johnson. “I think you need to hear the residents.”
Minter and Johnson inquired whether it would be possible to opt out of the service, or allow shared service among residences in order to lower the cost for residents.
After each individual’s three minutes was up, Mayor Mike Shurson thanked them for their input. Shurson then read his own prepared written statement expressing his thoughts on the subject.
“I don’t think it would be in the best interest to breach the contract,” Shurson said. “I appreciate the concern of citizens, and I understand that no opt out or cheaper option does cause financial inconveniences for some. On the other hand, I have also received many comments in favor of trash collection.”
Shurson said that city staff have received calls from residents asking that the plan be implemented sooner than its current start date in March.
“The petition reinforces what a passionate minority wanted to be heard, and their concerns have been heard and analyzed,” said Shurson. “But the result of the petition also reinforces my belief that the greater majority of residents are indeed in favor, dare I say happy about having organized trash collection.”
Shurson then listed benefits of organized trash collection: less noise and air pollution; decreased truck traffic; consistent service throughout the city; increased efficiency over cost in most households; stable, uniform and reasonable rates; improved control over residents actually using garbage service; recycling at home is easy and helps protect the environment.
“Future ability to competitively bid services helps promote lower cost,” Shurson said. “When this contract is over, we’re going to have much better leverage on the two garbage companies or any other companies that may want to get on our services.”
The benefits according to Shurson also include the ability to receive services at city-owned property at no cost, eliminating constant police action on garbage ordinance violations, and eliminating costly recycling dumpsters and police action required for monitoring illegal dumping.
“I believe today, as I did in September, that this contract is good for the greater majority of the residents,” Shurson said. “It’s good for the City of New Richland, and in a small way, great for the environment.”
Council member Jason Casey mentioned that most cities before implementing organized garbage collection gave citizens the ability to prove they had equal or better service than that which would be provided, suggesting New Richland provide the same option to its residents.
“That was discussed,” said City Clerk Wayne Billing, “but the haulers wouldn’t go for it.”
Casey then stated for the record that he made a motion to form a committee and explore options for assisting low-income residents or those who do not want the service.
“I would consider being on a committee or making a motion to see the options for those people [that can’t afford the service],” said council member Jessie Shaffer. “I’d rather see our time spent on what we can do to help them moving forward.”
With the council in agreement to form a committee to explore avenues for assistance for residents unable to afford the monthly garbage service, the motion was tabled until the next meeting pending proper wording. A motion was also made to reaffirm Resolution 18-08 authorizing the garbage contract, which passed with one council member opposed.
Clerk Billing also addressed several concerns in written form, which is available at the city website: www.cityofnewrichlandmn.com. The file, entitled “Petition,” can be found under Unfinished Business in the February 11 meeting agenda, which is located in the “Mayor/Council” link under the “City Government” tab on the left side of the city website home screen.
The police report, presented by Chief Tony Martens, stated that the NRPD responded to 109 calls for service in January, compared to 84 calls in January of 2018. The increased number of calls is due to parking enforcement, according to Martens, who said the department is working hard on snow parking enforcement. Four administrative citations for snow parking violations were issued last month.
An open-ended leave of absence for Officer Charles, who will be leaving for the military in March, was approved, along with the police report.
Chris Schlaak presented the ambulance report, stating that the ambulance had 15 runs in January and has had 10 so far this month, bringing the total number of runs for 2019 to 25. The extreme winter weather in recent days and weeks has kept the ambulance fairly busy.
“We’ve been out on some pretty bad days,” Schlaak said.
The ambulance rig is still having issues, and due to weather was unable to be inspected Jan. 22 as was scheduled. According to council member Chad Neitzel, someone will be in town Wednesday, Feb. 13 to look at it. The report was approved.
New business included a discussion regarding Legion Field, which was tabled until the next meeting. The Care Center Board has two openings, for which there are three candidates. Council member Sarah Sundve suggested sending the three individuals to a board meeting to make sure they want the position before any approvals are made. A motion was made to have the individuals write a letter of interest/intent to the council and attend a board meeting before the openings are filled, which was approved.
Resolution 19-04 was approved, along with the consent agenda items, with one correction. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.