Posted: 5/3/05
City will negotiate garbage contract
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
The Caledonia City Council has decided to renegotiate its contract for garbage hauling with Richard Skauge of Richardís sanitation.
A committee consisting of council members Randi Vick and Robert Standish met April 18 to discuss the renewal of the contract, which ends August 31, 2005. Skauge had attended an earlier meeting and asked for an earlier answer so that he would know whether he should proceed with a building project at his transfer station in the industrial park.
Representatives of Harterís Quick Clean-Up of La Crosse have attended meetings of the council to ask that the garbage hauling be put out on bids.
Miles Harter told the council at its April 25 meeting, ì I feel we can save you some money.î
Richardís Sanitation currently charges the city $1.25 per garbage bag and $5.35 per month for weekly collection of garbage and recyclables. Those costs are passed on to the city residents.
In Rushford, Harterís charges $.95 per bag and $5.40 per month for recycling pick-up, which is every other week. The representatives said that they would probably do the city in one day.
Council member Paul Fisch moved to renegotiate the refuse hauling contract with Richardís Sanitation, leaving the option of bidding open in case the negotiations arenít successful.
No action on limiting meetings
A motion to limit the length of council meetings failed 3-2.
The April 25 meeting of the council lasted until almost 1 a.m. Councilman Standish introduced a motion that meetings conclude by 10 p.m. They could continue later at the discretion of the mayor.
Mayor Michael Morey said that he ìshould have taken controlî of the previous meeting, but did not see the need for a motion.
The motion failed 2-3 with Fisch, Morey and Klug opposed and Vick and Standish voting in favor.
Police officer to resign
In other news, the council accepted the resignation of Bruce Muenkel, a part-time police officer in the city for 20 years. His retirement was effective May 1.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com