2023.07.25 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

July 11, 2023 Page 3 of 6 Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola noted this was a pass through cost that was put onto residents utility bills. He commented on how the yearly SCORE grant assists with covering recycling expenses. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned if Republic was hosting the current cleanup day. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola explained the City works with Republic along with other vendors to provide various services for cleanup day. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas inquired if the City was sharing information regarding the walk up services or language services provided by Republic. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola explained he was not aware of these services prior to this RFP process and noted staff would be sharing this information with residents. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned why multi-family buildings were able to opt out of recycling. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola reported smaller multi-family buildings (less than 10 units) had the option of joining the City’s recycling program. He explained all multi-family buildings in the City have opted to pursue their own recycling services. Beverly Mathiasen, Republic Services, recommended that if the City was going to require multi-family buildings to use Republic Services, the property owners should be notified in the case they were in a three to five year contract with another recycling vendor. Councilmember Allen questioned if Republic would be able to provide organized trash collection for New Brighton. Ms. Mathiasen reported there was strong guidance and rules in terms of organized trash collection. She indicated the City would start with a consortium for organized trash collection. She encouraged the Council to review the City of Anoka’s actions regarding organized trash collection. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas requested further information regarding electric vehicles. Ms. Mathiasen explained Republic was an environmental services company that was committed to offering customers the most complete set of environmental solutions. She noted Republic rolled out the industry’s first integrated electric vehicles for trash and recycling services in 2023. She anticipated half of all future vehicle purchases would be electric. In addition, Republic was hoping to open its first polymer center in Las Vegas this year. She stated in the Midwest, a polymer center would be opening in 2024, which would assist with recycling more plastic. She introduced the local department leaders to the Council and commented further on Republic’s environmental achievements. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned if the compressed natural gas vehicles could be used in New Brighton. Ms. Mathiasen reported this would be difficult given the location of the CNG pumps. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas inquired when the Track My Truck App would be going live. Ms. Mathiasen anticipated this app would be available sometime in 2024. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas asked if the County’s organics program would be funded by the County. Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development Gozola stated the centralized collection facility was provided by the County. He noted he would have to do more research on how this program was being funded. Councilmember Allen discussed how valuable recycling services were to New Brighton residents. He stated he would like to learn from staff more about the County’s organics recycling program. Motion by Councilmember Axberg, seconded by Councilmember Allen to direct staff to negotiate final details of a new five-year recycling contract with Republic Services. Councilmember Allen explained he supported the City pursuing organics recycling with Republic in order to streamline the process, but noted he would still like to learn more about where the County’s program was at. City Manager Massopust stated he would speak with the County regarding this matter and would report back to the City Council.