The Process
Residents played a critical role shaping the proposal
The City Council followed a clear and structured process required by state law to switch from Open Collection to Organized Collection. They made sure residents were involved by holding public meetings, conducting surveys, and forming an Options Committee of volunteers to give input.
The contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) is contingent on voter approval of an Organized Collection system. If approved, the LRS contract will begin on April 1, 2025, allowing for adequate planning time and avoiding rollout during the winter.
Timeline: Organized Trash Collection in Mounds View
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2023
March 6, 2023: The City Council passes a resolution to begin researching and planning an Organized Collection system.
April 26, 2023: The city officially notifies all trash haulers of its intent to consider an Organized Collection system, as required by state law.
May 31, 2023: The city holds three public engagement sessions and conducts a survey to gather resident feedback on the proposed system.
June 26, 2023: A meeting takes place with current haulers, known as a “meet and confer,” to discuss the potential Organized Collection system, as required by state law.
July & August 2023: Work sessions include public input and discussions on the Organized Collection system.
August 14, 2023: The City Council establishes a 60-day exclusive negotiation period with the city’s current haulers, following legal requirements.
October 12, 2023: Formal negotiations with haulers begin.
Fall 2023-Early 2024: The City is asking residents to submit their trash bills to better understand what they are currently paying and to compare those prices with the rates the city negotiates.
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2024
January 8, 2024: The City Council sets up an Options Committee to continue exploring options, as required by law.
January to March 2024: Negotiations continue with haulers.
March 25, 2024: The City Council ends negotiations after 165 days because the city and haulers were unable to agree on an acceptable contract.
April 9, 2024: Voters approve a charter amendment in a special election. The amendment requires voter approval for any move to an Organized Collection system.
May 6, 2024: The City Council authorizes staff to prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a hauler in an Organized Collection system.
May 13, 2024: The City Council approves the RFP, which goes out to 29 haulers, with seven responding.
May-June 2024: The city reviews the bids from the seven haulers and selects Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) as the hauler with the best proposal, including the lowest price.
June/July 2024: Negotiations occur with LRS.
August 12, 2024: The City Council adopts a seven-year contract with LRS, contingent on voter approval of Organized Collection.
November 5, 2024: The final vote on whether to implement the Organized Collection system will take place during the state general election.