Lots of cities have considered going to one trash hauler to reduce damage to city streets. But Arden Hills officials think their city may be the first to consider putting a whole new development area under a single-hauler system while it's still being planned.
"Organized collection," as the one-hauler system is called, has been a fierce battleground in many places, even though public-works departments tend to favor it to save wear and tear on roads. But for new occupants of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) site — now called Rice Creek Commons — it would be part of the deal.
Arden Hills City Council members got a briefing on the matter last week, including a warning from staffers that while the basic five-step process may seem straightforward, "each step has multiple substeps that may require separate actions by the council."
Hiring a consultant to guide the complex process set forth in legislation could cost $100,000 to $220,000. The whole process could take nine months to two years.
City Attorney Joel Jamnik warned council members in March to brace themselves: All licensed haulers in the city must be invited to weigh in, and "typically these [are] not comfortable meetings."
David Peterson
Afton
Washington County Board approves $12 million road project
The Washington County Board has approved a cost-sharing agreement with Afton to overhaul County Roads 21 and 18 and make sanitary sewer, levee and street improvements.
Under the agreement, the city will design and construct the project, projected to cost $12 million overall. The estimated county cost is $4.75 million, including construction, aesthetic amenities, right of way and easements, and contract administration. Washington County will use bond proceeds to fund its share of the project.
County Engineer Wayne Sandberg told commissioners last week that pavement is in poor condition and that the lack of suitable drainage results in small-scale flooding and standing water. Benefits of the project will include improved pedestrian safety, he said.
