The Blue Earth City Council talked about garbage collection in the City at Monday night’s meeting. The discussion originated from concerns about the wear and tear large garbage trucks have on city streets. The city is considering organized collection, which could allow the council to mitigate the size and number of garbage trucks in Blue Earth on a daily basis.
On Monday, City Administrator Mary Kennedy shared feedback from four cities which already use organized collection.
Mayor Rick Scholtes pointed out organized collection would probably sill result in the city having three contracted haulers. Currently all three have a market share, so the city would have to negotiate with all of them.
The Council also conducted a first reading of an ordinance to amend the definition of farm animals in Blue Earth’s City Code. The new draft of the ordinance makes it clear that chickens and bees do not fall under the city’s definition of farm animals. A motion to schedule a second reading of the amended ordinance passed on a 5-1 vote, with Mayor Scholtes voting in opposition.