With any luck, the opponents of St. Louis County's plan to establish trash districts will give it a rest now that the Missouri Supreme Court has dismissed the lawsuit brought by three of the trash haulers adversely affected by the plan.
Keeping watch on the program to make sure it continues to benefit the citizens and is operated in an aboveboard manner is one thing, but continuing to fight it is a mistake in my opinion. As a result of the unsuccessful challenge, which caused the low bidder, Aspen Waste Systems, to withdraw its low bids to service the 6th and 8th trash districts, customers will have to pay more under the plan than they otherwise would have.
However, based on my experience, I suspect that most customers would probably be paying a lot more than if the plan did not exist.
I am currently served by Allied Waste and have seen my bill rise steadily over the past year, primarily due to an ever-increasing surcharge titled "Total fuel/environmental recovery fee."My first bill from Allied for the county-required minimum level of service, covering April 1 through June 30, was $18.54 per month. My second — and final — bill, covering service from July 1 through Sept. 30, was $19.26 per month — an increase of 3.86 percent.
Beginning Oct. 1, I will be served by Veolia under the county plan and have been advised that I will pay a fixed charge of $12.40 per month for the first year of service, $12.83 per month for the second year and $13.28 per month for the third year.This means I will see an immediate 35.6-percent price decrease and annual increases of 3.46 percent and 3.5 percent thereafter. And if I were over 65, I would qualify for an additional 10-percent discount.
I've switched haulers in the past in order to lower my cost, but as an individual I doubt that any of the haulers would have offered me the deal I will get under the county trash district plan, especially at fixed rates for three years. It's too bad that some haulers were not able to compete, but that's because competitive bidding is not like a T-ball game for the little tykes where everyone wins.
I consider myself an independent voter and am therefore willing to give credit where credit is due. I have to say that the then-Republican-controlled County Council knew what it was doing after all when it voted to implement the plan.
In the face of the vocal opposition from his constituents, I can understand Mr. Campisi's decision to repudiate his vote in favor of the plan. However, I was surprised at his willingness to blame his fellow Republican, Mr. Mange, for misleading him about the plan, which presumably would not have been possible had Mr. Campisi done the work required to fully understand the plan before voting in the first place.
. . . . Gerald M. Kulage - Oakville
Showing posts with label Campisi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Campisi. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Public Hearing Set for May 1 On County Waste Ordinance
A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 1 at the St. Louis County Library's Weber Road branch, 4444 Weber Road, in Affton. The hearing, sponsored by state Rep. Jim Lembke, R-85th, will include St. Louis County Councilman John Campisi, R-6th Dist., and South County state legislators Pat Yaeger, D-96th, Walt Bivins, R-97th, Sue Schoemehl, D-100th, and state Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, R-15th.
State reps Jim Lembke, R-85th, Walt Bivins, R-97th, and Jim Avery, R-95th, along with Missouri State Senate President Pro-Tem Michael Gibbons, R-15th, asked Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon's office in February to decide whether St. Louis County's plan to establish eight trash districts and contract with waste haulers to service them violates a state statute prohibiting the county from entering into solid waste collection services.
They say the statute requires giving two-year notice to trash haulers before engaging in the districting plan and the county hasn't done that. The legislators' request also maintains the county's solid waste code appears to establish monopoly franchises for trash haulers in each of the eight trash districts within the county.
Paul C. Wilson, Nixon's deputy chief of staff for litigation, states that based upon the facts submitted and gathered by the office, "it appears that the General Assembly's 2007 amendment to the two-year notice provision which extended that requirement to all political subdivisions does apply to St. Louis County."
Wilson's opinion also stated that the ordinance approved by the St. Louis County Council to establish trash districts indeed shows the county decided to enter into solid waste collection services and the two-year notice requirement applies. Lembke said Wilson's response means "the statute does apply to St. Louis County and all political subdivisions, and does not say all political subdivisions with the exception of home rule charter counties.
The public hearings will include all of the county's areas covered by the trash district plan in north, south and west St. Louis County. Lembke described the hearings as a way for residents to ask county lawmakers to explain why they're moving forward with the district plan despite its apparent disagreement with state statutes.
"If it’s the county's intention to be headstrong and move forward and take on a state statute that clearly applies to them," Lembke said, "They're heading for a train wreck between the county government and the state government."
In the meantime, a pilot trash district is scheduled to begin in July in the third trash district, which lies within the Second St. Louis County Council district of council chairman Kathleen Burkett. While the term “pilot” has been widely used, Burkett says there is no “pilot” but that the contract has been signed and it’s final – regardless of the performance levels.
Veolia Environmental Services won the bid to service the pilot area at a bid of $11.60 per household per month for a once-per-week trash hauling and a once-per week recycling pick-up.
State reps Jim Lembke, R-85th, Walt Bivins, R-97th, and Jim Avery, R-95th, along with Missouri State Senate President Pro-Tem Michael Gibbons, R-15th, asked Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon's office in February to decide whether St. Louis County's plan to establish eight trash districts and contract with waste haulers to service them violates a state statute prohibiting the county from entering into solid waste collection services.
They say the statute requires giving two-year notice to trash haulers before engaging in the districting plan and the county hasn't done that. The legislators' request also maintains the county's solid waste code appears to establish monopoly franchises for trash haulers in each of the eight trash districts within the county.
Paul C. Wilson, Nixon's deputy chief of staff for litigation, states that based upon the facts submitted and gathered by the office, "it appears that the General Assembly's 2007 amendment to the two-year notice provision which extended that requirement to all political subdivisions does apply to St. Louis County."
Wilson's opinion also stated that the ordinance approved by the St. Louis County Council to establish trash districts indeed shows the county decided to enter into solid waste collection services and the two-year notice requirement applies. Lembke said Wilson's response means "the statute does apply to St. Louis County and all political subdivisions, and does not say all political subdivisions with the exception of home rule charter counties.
The public hearings will include all of the county's areas covered by the trash district plan in north, south and west St. Louis County. Lembke described the hearings as a way for residents to ask county lawmakers to explain why they're moving forward with the district plan despite its apparent disagreement with state statutes.
"If it’s the county's intention to be headstrong and move forward and take on a state statute that clearly applies to them," Lembke said, "They're heading for a train wreck between the county government and the state government."
In the meantime, a pilot trash district is scheduled to begin in July in the third trash district, which lies within the Second St. Louis County Council district of council chairman Kathleen Burkett. While the term “pilot” has been widely used, Burkett says there is no “pilot” but that the contract has been signed and it’s final – regardless of the performance levels.
Veolia Environmental Services won the bid to service the pilot area at a bid of $11.60 per household per month for a once-per-week trash hauling and a once-per week recycling pick-up.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Campisi Bill To Modify Trash Program Defeated
A bill to eliminate the trash districts and mandatory recycling and minimum level of services was defeated by the Council Council on April 22. The bill was submitted by Councilman, John Campisi, and defeated by a vote of 4 to 3.
Campisi introduced Substitute Bill 1 to Bill 42, on April 15, 2008. This legislation would allow homeowners to again make your own choices.
Chairwoman, Kathleen Burkett, voted against the bill saying she was supporting her constituents in her district. Ms. Burkett represents 16, 632 residents while Campisi represents over 51,874 in his districts. Fair? It's called "politics."
Campisi introduced Substitute Bill 1 to Bill 42, on April 15, 2008. This legislation would allow homeowners to again make your own choices.
Chairwoman, Kathleen Burkett, voted against the bill saying she was supporting her constituents in her district. Ms. Burkett represents 16, 632 residents while Campisi represents over 51,874 in his districts. Fair? It's called "politics."
Thursday, April 10, 2008
County County Panel Sets Another Meeting on Trash Districts
A committee of the Saint Louis County Council will hold a meeting at 4:00 PM April 22 to hear comments on a bill that would eliminate the county’s authority to establish trash collection districts in the unincorporated areas of the County.
The committee of the whole will consider the issue in the council chambers in the county administration building in Clayton.
Councilman John Campisi, sponsor of the bill, was in Jefferson City on Tuesday (4/8) to testify before a House on a bill designed to prohibit the county from establishing the districts.
Campisi was with a contingent from his district making a last ditch effort to stop the districts. Tony Niskanen, who is leading an initiative that would invalidate the district’s, said the county would sign contracts for the trash districts by summer, before voters can decide the issue in November.
The committee of the whole will consider the issue in the council chambers in the county administration building in Clayton.
Councilman John Campisi, sponsor of the bill, was in Jefferson City on Tuesday (4/8) to testify before a House on a bill designed to prohibit the county from establishing the districts.
Campisi was with a contingent from his district making a last ditch effort to stop the districts. Tony Niskanen, who is leading an initiative that would invalidate the district’s, said the county would sign contracts for the trash districts by summer, before voters can decide the issue in November.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
State Attorney General's Office says St. Louis County Must Provide 2-Year Notice for Trash Districts
The Missouri Attorney General's Office issued an opinion on Monday, April 7 concluding that because of a state statute passed last year by the state Legislature that requires a two-year notice to waste haulers before establishing trash districts, St. Louis County must follow suit before it implements eight trash districts planned to be established this year in unincorporated areas.
With the backing of Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, three state representatives from south county asked Attorney General Jay Nixon in February to determine the legality of the trash districts' implementation.
Because of a state statute that went into effect Jan. 1 that requires a political subdivision to issue a two-year notice to waste haulers before establishing trash districts, the elected officials contend that the county's trash-district program is unconstitutional.Rep. Jim Lembke, R-Lemay, Rep. Walt Bivins, R-Oakville, Rep. Jim Avery, R-Crestwood and Gibbons say that Section 260.247(2) of the Missouri Revised Statutes prevents St. Louis County from establishing trash districts in 2008.
The statute, approved in 2007, states:
"A city or political subdivision shall not commence solid-waste collection in such area for at least two years from the effective date of the annexation or at least two years from the effective date of the notice that the city or political subdivision intends to enter into the business of solid waste collection or to expand existing solid waste collection services into the area, unless the city or political subdivision contracts with the private entity or entities to continue such services for that period."
If for any reason the city or political subdivision does not exercise its option to provide for or contract for the provision of services within an affected area within three years from the effective date of the notice, then the city or political subdivision shall renotify.
"On Monday, a conclusion issued by Paul C. Wilson, the Attorney General's Office's Deputy Chief of Staff for Litigation, said that the law applies to St. Louis County.
The opinion begins:
"Dear Senator Gibbons: On February 25, 2008, you, together with Representatives Lembke, Bivins and Avery, requested an opinion regarding 'whether (Section) 360.247 (2) RSMo (2008) already mandates a two-year waiting period where St. Louis County is intending to commence a franchised monopoly displacement of existing haulers later in 2008.'
"Based upon the facts submitted in your request, and those we have gathered independently, it appears that the General Assembly's 2007 amendment to the two-year notice provision of (Section) 260.247, which extended that requirement to all 'political subdivisions,' does apply to the activities now being pursued by the County."
The opinion concludes: "On the basis of the facts presented to us, as set forth above, we conclude that, with the adoption of Ordinances 607.1300 and 607.1310, St. Louis County has decided to 'enter into' solid waste collection services for purposes of Section 260.247. Therefore, the two-year notice requirement imposed by Section 260.247 — as amended by the General Assembly in 2007 — extends to the activities now being contemplated by St. Louis County under Ordinance 607.1310."
The county already has already taken bids for one of eight trash districts planned to implemented in July as a "pilot district" in the 2nd County Council District represented by Council Chair Kathleen Burkett, D-Overland, who has been a vocal proponent of trash districts.
As for the seven remaining trash districts, county officials could begin bidding for those as early as May.
6th District County Councilman John Campisi, R-south county, requested last week that the County Counselor's office prepare a bill that would not only repeal trash districts, but also allow county residents to be exempt from recycling charges if those residents meet any of the following conditions:
- They generate less than 35 gallons of recyclable material during a seven-day period.
- They take recyclables to "a school, church, or other charitable organization" or take recyclables "to a licensed waste processing facility."
Campisi's request for a bill also would remove the county's new minimum standard that waste haulers provide two bulk-waste pickups per year and instead be allowed to offer that service "at a reasonable fee." Campisi has also opposed trash districts and planned to testify today to the committee.
More information is available at the Call Newspapers at http://www.callnewspapers.com/
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Councilman Seeks Fee Exemption for Some Recyclers
Households that don't generate many recyclables would be given a break from new trash fees under a proposal by St. Louis County Councilman John Campisi, R-south St. Louis County. The county's new recycling standard calls for trash haulers to provide once-a-week pickup of recyclables. The standard started on April 1, and several trash hauling companies are charging for it.
Campisi would exempt households that generate less than 35 gallons of recyclables every seven days. The councilman also wants to make twice-a-year bulky waste pickups optional instead of mandatory. He wants the County Council on Tuesday to add these provisions to his bill that would remove the county's authority to establish trash collection districts.
Garry Earls, the county's chief operating officer, said finding out who would be exempt would be an administrative nightmare (like it isn't already). "Somebody would have to pay the cost" of such an effort, he said. Companies that add a charge for recyclable pickups "are challenging customers to shop around for another hauler," Earls said.
The bidding by hauling companies for the trash collection districts should drive down prices, he said.Judith Robertson, who lives in the Flamingo Oaks subdivision near Florissant, and Bob Meurer, who lives in the Maryville Gardens subdivision in south St. Louis County, said their haulers are raising their trash bill by about $8 a month for the recyclable pickups.
Both said they put recyclables in bins at churches and schools and do not want the pickup service. They said the charge is unfair and a burden.
Robertson said she spent Friday shopping for a different hauler and found that other companies also were raising the rates because of the recycling pickups.
In a letter asking County Counselor Patricia Redington to draft the changes, Campisi said he is responding to hundreds of letters and telephone calls from his constituents.
Campisi would exempt households that generate less than 35 gallons of recyclables every seven days. The councilman also wants to make twice-a-year bulky waste pickups optional instead of mandatory. He wants the County Council on Tuesday to add these provisions to his bill that would remove the county's authority to establish trash collection districts.
Garry Earls, the county's chief operating officer, said finding out who would be exempt would be an administrative nightmare (like it isn't already). "Somebody would have to pay the cost" of such an effort, he said. Companies that add a charge for recyclable pickups "are challenging customers to shop around for another hauler," Earls said.
The bidding by hauling companies for the trash collection districts should drive down prices, he said.Judith Robertson, who lives in the Flamingo Oaks subdivision near Florissant, and Bob Meurer, who lives in the Maryville Gardens subdivision in south St. Louis County, said their haulers are raising their trash bill by about $8 a month for the recyclable pickups.
Both said they put recyclables in bins at churches and schools and do not want the pickup service. They said the charge is unfair and a burden.
Robertson said she spent Friday shopping for a different hauler and found that other companies also were raising the rates because of the recycling pickups.
In a letter asking County Counselor Patricia Redington to draft the changes, Campisi said he is responding to hundreds of letters and telephone calls from his constituents.
Hearing On Waste and Trash Collection in St. Louis County Set for Tuesday, April 8
There will be a Hearing by the Missouri House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Environment, chaired by State Representative Walt Bivins to hear testimony on State Representative Jim Lembke’s sponsored House Bill 2443 – Waste and Trash Collection in St. Louis County.
This bill prohibits St. Louis County from enacting any charter provision governing waste and trash collection in unincorporated areas of the county. The meeting will be held in Jefferson City, MO at the Capitol building, room 3 at noon on Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
State Representative Jim Lembke and Councilman, John Campisi, need your assistance and ask you to attend the hearing and to testify for the Bill if we are to defeat the existing trash bill that we now have in St. Louis County.
This bill prohibits St. Louis County from enacting any charter provision governing waste and trash collection in unincorporated areas of the county. The meeting will be held in Jefferson City, MO at the Capitol building, room 3 at noon on Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
State Representative Jim Lembke and Councilman, John Campisi, need your assistance and ask you to attend the hearing and to testify for the Bill if we are to defeat the existing trash bill that we now have in St. Louis County.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
New state law offered up to stop trash districts
South County legislators are attempting to stop the county's trash districting plan. State Rep. Jim Lembke (R-Lemay), filed a bill recently that, if approved, could end St. Louis County's trash districting program. Lembke, fellow Republican state Rep. Walt Bivins (R-Mehlville), and St. Louis County Councilman John Campisi (R-South County), recently called on all elected officials to join forces to force county government to stop the trash districting for unincorporated areas of St. Louis County.
Hello? It was the members of the County Council who enacted the law and it's the County Council members who can change or stop the legislation. While it's a noble effort on the part of State officials, the full responsibility rests on seven council members. It now seems as if we are pitting state officials against county officials.
The plan has seen opposition throughout South St. Louis County and has led to an initiative petition by an Affton-based group called Make Your Opinion Count. The group wants a ballot proposal on the April ballot for county residents to decide on the trash districting plan.
A related group, Citizens Against Trashy Government, has been trying to challenge a recent St. Louis County court decision that clears the way for construction of a trash transfer station in Oakville.
"We've encouraged all elected officials to come out publicly and support the initiative petition that's been put forth by the people," Lembke said. Rep. Lembke and his associates should be targeting the seven members of the countil. It now seems as if we are pitting state officials against county officials.
Yaeger said she has met with county officials about the districting program and even though she thinks it will bring lower prices, increase recycling and reduce trash truck traffic in neighborhoods, she thinks if the county had handled the issue better they would have gotten more support from the residents. (Amen)
"The trash monopoly plan will make higher taxes inevitable at a time when County Executive (Charlie) Dooley had been seeking a tax hike," Council member John Campisi said. "Estimates for the first year alone are as high as $400,000 to implement this program. It certainly will not become more affordable over time. Given the level of public opposition the county will have to establish a sizable trash police bureaucracy just to enforce it and to handle citizen complaints."
The amount of money being poured into this program far exceed $400,000. The county has spent countless man-hours involved with the program. This cost is buried within the county budget coming under "salaries." No matter how you look at it, time is money.
Sombody, somewhere is paying for the 100,000 recycle bins soon being delivered by the county. At a cost of $40 per bin, this equals $4,000,000 (Four Million).
.
Hello? It was the members of the County Council who enacted the law and it's the County Council members who can change or stop the legislation. While it's a noble effort on the part of State officials, the full responsibility rests on seven council members. It now seems as if we are pitting state officials against county officials.
The plan has seen opposition throughout South St. Louis County and has led to an initiative petition by an Affton-based group called Make Your Opinion Count. The group wants a ballot proposal on the April ballot for county residents to decide on the trash districting plan.
A related group, Citizens Against Trashy Government, has been trying to challenge a recent St. Louis County court decision that clears the way for construction of a trash transfer station in Oakville.
"We've encouraged all elected officials to come out publicly and support the initiative petition that's been put forth by the people," Lembke said. Rep. Lembke and his associates should be targeting the seven members of the countil. It now seems as if we are pitting state officials against county officials.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Some people have short memories, but this whole thing was voted on by the Republican-controlled county council a year ago, and now all of a sudden they don't remember whether they voted on it." - - - Pat Yaeger (D-Lemay)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yaeger said she has met with county officials about the districting program and even though she thinks it will bring lower prices, increase recycling and reduce trash truck traffic in neighborhoods, she thinks if the county had handled the issue better they would have gotten more support from the residents. (Amen)
"The trash monopoly plan will make higher taxes inevitable at a time when County Executive (Charlie) Dooley had been seeking a tax hike," Council member John Campisi said. "Estimates for the first year alone are as high as $400,000 to implement this program. It certainly will not become more affordable over time. Given the level of public opposition the county will have to establish a sizable trash police bureaucracy just to enforce it and to handle citizen complaints."
The amount of money being poured into this program far exceed $400,000. The county has spent countless man-hours involved with the program. This cost is buried within the county budget coming under "salaries." No matter how you look at it, time is money.
Sombody, somewhere is paying for the 100,000 recycle bins soon being delivered by the county. At a cost of $40 per bin, this equals $4,000,000 (Four Million).
.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Campisi Introduces Bill to Block Trash Plan
St. Louis County Councilman John Campisi, R-south St. Louis County, introduced on Tuesday (2/5) a bill to eliminate the county's authority to establish trash collection districts in the unincorporated area. The planned districts have drawn fierce opposition in unincorporated south St. Louis County. The councilman has said he is responding to his constituents' wishes.
An anonymouns comment received today urges residents to contact all council members.
Anonymous said...
"Councilman Campisi has introduced a Bill at Tuesdays meeting that would end this insanity. An all out effort needs to be made for all to contact every County Council person to back down and support that legislation. It will take phone calls, letters, emails to the 7 council persons to support this effort. They need to hear ASAP to stop this thing.
Contact all council persons, wheter yours or not, they need to hear from us, loud and clear and thousands of times."
An anonymouns comment received today urges residents to contact all council members.
Anonymous said...
"Councilman Campisi has introduced a Bill at Tuesdays meeting that would end this insanity. An all out effort needs to be made for all to contact every County Council person to back down and support that legislation. It will take phone calls, letters, emails to the 7 council persons to support this effort. They need to hear ASAP to stop this thing.
Contact all council persons, wheter yours or not, they need to hear from us, loud and clear and thousands of times."
Saturday, February 02, 2008
County To Pilot Trash District; Hundreds of Subdivisions Opt-Out of Program
St. Louis County plans to establish a trash collection district in west St. Louis County as a pilot project. This will cause a delay in the implementation of the other districts throughout the County.
The main part of the pilot project is bounded by Maryland Heights, Overland, Creve Coeur and Chesterfield. The district also would include the West Overland and Elmwood Park areas.
The deadline for subdivisions to opt out of the program was February 1, 2008. More than 215 subdivisions have chosen to opt out of the program citing freedom of choice and higher fees with the county’s program. Subdivision trustees are also learning they will be responsible for enforcement of the county’s regulations of the trash program. Subdivision associations are volunteer run mostly by unpaid residents with limited resources.
The county will soon seek bids from trash haulers wanting to serve the district and hopes to have it operating by mid-summer..
The county had planned to seek bids for all districts in early spring and hoped to start them in August. The county now wants to get bids for those districts by July 1 and has not set a date for implementing them. The county has avoided problems with their test project by selecting the smallest district (10,000 households) and the fewest households opting out. Prediction: they will declare the pilot highly successful.
Currently, householders in unincorporated areas arrange for their own trash collection. The county’s plan forces payment for trash services for 100% of county residents, even if they do not use the service. Many small business owners transport their home trash to their place of business to avoid paying for duplicate trash services. They will now be billed by their assigned trash hauler. Whether they pay for it is another question.
While the press says the idea has drawn fierce opposition in unincorporated south St. Louis County, dozens of North County subdivisions have withdrawn from the program. Perhaps the reason for the focus on South County is that four of the eight trash districts are in this area.
County Councilman John Campisi, R-south St. Louis County plans to introduce a bill on Tuesday (2/5) that would eliminate the county's authority to establish the districts.
In the meantime, county officials continue to work on the program’s details ignoring the pleas of council members, subdivision associations, and voters throughout the county. Many have suggested the County place the regulations on the haulers and not on residents.
The main part of the pilot project is bounded by Maryland Heights, Overland, Creve Coeur and Chesterfield. The district also would include the West Overland and Elmwood Park areas.
The deadline for subdivisions to opt out of the program was February 1, 2008. More than 215 subdivisions have chosen to opt out of the program citing freedom of choice and higher fees with the county’s program. Subdivision trustees are also learning they will be responsible for enforcement of the county’s regulations of the trash program. Subdivision associations are volunteer run mostly by unpaid residents with limited resources.
The county will soon seek bids from trash haulers wanting to serve the district and hopes to have it operating by mid-summer..
The county had planned to seek bids for all districts in early spring and hoped to start them in August. The county now wants to get bids for those districts by July 1 and has not set a date for implementing them. The county has avoided problems with their test project by selecting the smallest district (10,000 households) and the fewest households opting out. Prediction: they will declare the pilot highly successful.
Currently, householders in unincorporated areas arrange for their own trash collection. The county’s plan forces payment for trash services for 100% of county residents, even if they do not use the service. Many small business owners transport their home trash to their place of business to avoid paying for duplicate trash services. They will now be billed by their assigned trash hauler. Whether they pay for it is another question.
While the press says the idea has drawn fierce opposition in unincorporated south St. Louis County, dozens of North County subdivisions have withdrawn from the program. Perhaps the reason for the focus on South County is that four of the eight trash districts are in this area.
County Councilman John Campisi, R-south St. Louis County plans to introduce a bill on Tuesday (2/5) that would eliminate the county's authority to establish the districts.
In the meantime, county officials continue to work on the program’s details ignoring the pleas of council members, subdivision associations, and voters throughout the county. Many have suggested the County place the regulations on the haulers and not on residents.
.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Trash Program Opt-out Bill Is Rejected
A bill to allow county residents to opt-out of the county’s trash program went down to defeat at the County Council’s meeting on November 19. The County Council’s vote was 3-3. Opponents to the trash program say residents who are not part of a subdivision are being discriminated against saying they are being forced to use the county’s program while subdivision residents have an option.
The St. Louis County Council on a tie vote would allow individuals to opt out of eight trash collection districts that county officials are establishing in unincorporated areas. County officials will soon seek bids from haulers to pick up all household trash and recycling materials within a district except for subdivisions that could opt out of the system.
Councilman John Campisi, sponsored the defeated measure. Councilwoman Colleen Wasinger, in Town and Country, said his proposal was not logistically practical. She said she would introduce a bill to allow contiguous areas to opt out. How the world turns. Stay tuned.
The St. Louis County Council on a tie vote would allow individuals to opt out of eight trash collection districts that county officials are establishing in unincorporated areas. County officials will soon seek bids from haulers to pick up all household trash and recycling materials within a district except for subdivisions that could opt out of the system.
Councilman John Campisi, sponsored the defeated measure. Councilwoman Colleen Wasinger, in Town and Country, said his proposal was not logistically practical. She said she would introduce a bill to allow contiguous areas to opt out. How the world turns. Stay tuned.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
County’s Trash Procedures Open New Questions; Confusion Reigns
St. Louis County Officials presented implementation plans to more than 360 residents on November 8 at Oakville Senior High School plus another 250 residents at Mehlville Senior High School that same evening.
They also presented implementation plans to about 175 people attending their meeting at Affton High School on November 14. Sheryl Hodges moderated the Oakville and Affton programs and answered written questions submitted by the audience. Attendees were not permitted to speak or ask questions.
County officials have posted the finalized trash-district plans on the county's Web site at http://www.co.st-louis.mo.us/ but the information available is very limited. Answers to many questions remain unpublished. A change in the implementation date has been proposed for the county's new minimum standards of once-per-week pickup of trash and recyclables and twice-per-year pickup of bulk waste. Dates recommended are for enforcement on April 15 instead of January 1.
We continue to note conflicting information from County officials, local newspapers and answers presented at these meetings.
For example, the following was published in a local newspaper as a result of the meetings of November 8.
“ Any subdivision that wishes to opt out of the trash districts, each of which will be serviced by one trash hauler chosen by the County Council, has until Feb. 1 to petition the county.”
This issue was specifically addressed at the November 14 meeting at the Affton High School. Sheryl Hodges stated that a subdivision who opted-out may be served by multiple trash haulers provided they meet the County’s minimum standards. And that these haulers will be selected by the subdivision trustees, and not the County. Hello!!!
Subdivision Associations have between now and February 1, 2008 to opt out . . . . but unfortunately, they do not know what they are opting out from. Will the county program trash fees be $10 per month or $50? A subdivision association would be foolish not to opt out to put the odds on their side. They can always opt back in should the fees be lower.
We also heard from attendees from the March 8 meetings that an individual homeowner may opt-out of the trash program. This is in direct conflict of statements made at the November 14 meeting. At the present time, an individual homeowner or family CANNOT opt-out. Only a subdivision governed by trust indentures or other types of restrictions may choose to opt-out.
Legislation introduced by Councilman John Campisi proposes to allow individual homeowners to opt-out. This will be voted on by the County Council at their meeting next Monday, November 19. Note, the Council’s meeting has been changed from Tuesday, November 20 to Monday, November 19.
One key question asked was who is paying for the receptacle carts for recycling? Answers ranged from a grant from the federal government to St. Louis County to fees collected by the trash haulers. Now we hear officials are gathering bids and that they will deliver 65-gallon receptacle carts to unincorporated residents starting in January 2008 – but the program is now slated to start as of September 1, 2008. We still don't know who will really be paying for the carts. Whoops. It will probably be us, the consumer taxpayer.
If a receptacle costs $50 and the County needs over 100,000, that calculates out to around five million dollars - $5,000,000. But as county officials move forward with plans to implement trash districts to adhere to the new minimum standards, both north and south county residents have protested the move because of a provision that will strip them of the right to choose their own waste hauler
Who will invoice residents for the hauling services? This is another question where conflicting answers flourished. Information provided at the Affton HS meeting has the individual trash haulers billing residents.
Another key item was enforcement of the program should a homeowner refuse to pay or use the service. Enforcement and penalty provisions are in the legislation which calls for penalties, fees, liens, legal action and even jail. St. Louis County will prosecute.
If you generate trash, you will be charge regardless if you use the service or not.
When questioned about the $400,000 item budgeted for 2008 to cover start-up costs of the program, Mrs. Hodges said this “expense” will not be incurred as personnel are being transferred from other county departments to provide the necessary labor. This raised the question as to what other county services will be affected. Hello, do we really need these people in the first place?
The number one question remains as “What will the trash program cost?” Sorry, but this won’t be answered until late spring or summer 2008. Isn’t this a little backward? What happens if the costs are 50% or more higher than present? Does anyone think county residents will not care?
The County will be looking to the trash haulers to help “police” and identify residents that are not using the service in their district or not complying with County regulations.
Attention Trustees: If a subdivision opts-out of the program, subdivision trustees may be required to monitor the performance of their chosen hauler to make certain the hauler meets county standards. In other words, do they offer the specified services? Are they properly insured? Who handles service complaints? Who does all this work? Subdivision assessment fees will be going up.
How do trustees and residents feel about the trash progra? Click here for a copy of a survey recently completed asking some hard questions:
http://www.mydocsonline.com/pub/wrogers/TrashSurveyResultsFinal11-04-07.pdf
Questions? Contact the St. Louis County Solid Waste Districting Program at:
Neighborhood Services Manager
Attn: Solid Waste Districting Program
St. Louis County Public Works Dept. 6th Fl.
121 S. Meramec Ave.
Clayton, MO 63105
Tel: 314-615-4285
Fax: 314-615-8906 or 314-615-8411
Attention: Solid Waste Districting Program
Website: http://www.stlouisco.com/
Comments welcome. Click below and speak up.
.
They also presented implementation plans to about 175 people attending their meeting at Affton High School on November 14. Sheryl Hodges moderated the Oakville and Affton programs and answered written questions submitted by the audience. Attendees were not permitted to speak or ask questions.
County officials have posted the finalized trash-district plans on the county's Web site at http://www.co.st-louis.mo.us/ but the information available is very limited. Answers to many questions remain unpublished. A change in the implementation date has been proposed for the county's new minimum standards of once-per-week pickup of trash and recyclables and twice-per-year pickup of bulk waste. Dates recommended are for enforcement on April 15 instead of January 1.
We continue to note conflicting information from County officials, local newspapers and answers presented at these meetings.
For example, the following was published in a local newspaper as a result of the meetings of November 8.
“ Any subdivision that wishes to opt out of the trash districts, each of which will be serviced by one trash hauler chosen by the County Council, has until Feb. 1 to petition the county.”
This issue was specifically addressed at the November 14 meeting at the Affton High School. Sheryl Hodges stated that a subdivision who opted-out may be served by multiple trash haulers provided they meet the County’s minimum standards. And that these haulers will be selected by the subdivision trustees, and not the County. Hello!!!
Subdivision Associations have between now and February 1, 2008 to opt out . . . . but unfortunately, they do not know what they are opting out from. Will the county program trash fees be $10 per month or $50? A subdivision association would be foolish not to opt out to put the odds on their side. They can always opt back in should the fees be lower.
We also heard from attendees from the March 8 meetings that an individual homeowner may opt-out of the trash program. This is in direct conflict of statements made at the November 14 meeting. At the present time, an individual homeowner or family CANNOT opt-out. Only a subdivision governed by trust indentures or other types of restrictions may choose to opt-out.
Legislation introduced by Councilman John Campisi proposes to allow individual homeowners to opt-out. This will be voted on by the County Council at their meeting next Monday, November 19. Note, the Council’s meeting has been changed from Tuesday, November 20 to Monday, November 19.
One key question asked was who is paying for the receptacle carts for recycling? Answers ranged from a grant from the federal government to St. Louis County to fees collected by the trash haulers. Now we hear officials are gathering bids and that they will deliver 65-gallon receptacle carts to unincorporated residents starting in January 2008 – but the program is now slated to start as of September 1, 2008. We still don't know who will really be paying for the carts. Whoops. It will probably be us, the consumer taxpayer.
If a receptacle costs $50 and the County needs over 100,000, that calculates out to around five million dollars - $5,000,000. But as county officials move forward with plans to implement trash districts to adhere to the new minimum standards, both north and south county residents have protested the move because of a provision that will strip them of the right to choose their own waste hauler
Who will invoice residents for the hauling services? This is another question where conflicting answers flourished. Information provided at the Affton HS meeting has the individual trash haulers billing residents.
Another key item was enforcement of the program should a homeowner refuse to pay or use the service. Enforcement and penalty provisions are in the legislation which calls for penalties, fees, liens, legal action and even jail. St. Louis County will prosecute.
If you generate trash, you will be charge regardless if you use the service or not.
When questioned about the $400,000 item budgeted for 2008 to cover start-up costs of the program, Mrs. Hodges said this “expense” will not be incurred as personnel are being transferred from other county departments to provide the necessary labor. This raised the question as to what other county services will be affected. Hello, do we really need these people in the first place?
The number one question remains as “What will the trash program cost?” Sorry, but this won’t be answered until late spring or summer 2008. Isn’t this a little backward? What happens if the costs are 50% or more higher than present? Does anyone think county residents will not care?
The County will be looking to the trash haulers to help “police” and identify residents that are not using the service in their district or not complying with County regulations.
Attention Trustees: If a subdivision opts-out of the program, subdivision trustees may be required to monitor the performance of their chosen hauler to make certain the hauler meets county standards. In other words, do they offer the specified services? Are they properly insured? Who handles service complaints? Who does all this work? Subdivision assessment fees will be going up.
How do trustees and residents feel about the trash progra? Click here for a copy of a survey recently completed asking some hard questions:
http://www.mydocsonline.com/pub/wrogers/TrashSurveyResultsFinal11-04-07.pdf
Questions? Contact the St. Louis County Solid Waste Districting Program at:
Neighborhood Services Manager
Attn: Solid Waste Districting Program
St. Louis County Public Works Dept. 6th Fl.
121 S. Meramec Ave.
Clayton, MO 63105
Tel: 314-615-4285
Fax: 314-615-8906 or 314-615-8411
Attention: Solid Waste Districting Program
Website: http://www.stlouisco.com/
Comments welcome. Click below and speak up.
.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Campisi To Introduce Legislation to Modify Trash Collection Program
This item is on the Council agenda for Tuesday, Nov 6th:
6th District Communication directed to Patricia Redington, St. Louis County Counselor, from The Honorable John Campisi, Councilman for the 6th District, requesting that legislation to revise Subchapter V and any other parts of the recently (December 2006) passed Waste Management Code to provide for a referendum that would allow the residents of each St. Louis County Trash District to vote on whether they want to opt out of the requirements to have St. Louis County select their trash hauler or if they want to be included in the Trash District and allow St. Louis County to select their trash hauler.
6th District Communication directed to Patricia Redington, St. Louis County Counselor, from The Honorable John Campisi, Councilman for the 6th District, requesting that legislation to revise Subchapter V and any other parts of the recently (December 2006) passed Waste Management Code to provide for a referendum that would allow the residents of each St. Louis County Trash District to vote on whether they want to opt out of the requirements to have St. Louis County select their trash hauler or if they want to be included in the Trash District and allow St. Louis County to select their trash hauler.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
More Questions Keep Coming Up About Trash Program
Comments received in our mail point out that Councilman, John Campisi, will be unable to attend both meetings scheduled in South County since they are scheduled on the same date and time. Campisi is the only Council member who has been outspoken against the trash program. Councilman Campisi's district covers south county which includes two separate trash districts. Is this a coincidence . . . or did county officials, who are pressing for the program, plan it that way?
Some calls received were seeking information as to which district they may be located. While County officials have published "maps" of the trash districts, no detail description of the boundaries by exact streets and roads have been published. One such area is the boundary separating District 7 and 8.
Some calls received were seeking information as to which district they may be located. While County officials have published "maps" of the trash districts, no detail description of the boundaries by exact streets and roads have been published. One such area is the boundary separating District 7 and 8.
Open mouth. Insert foot.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Residents Speak Out on Trash Plan
From having nothing three and a half years ago, Michael and Bryan Barcom built their American Eagle Waste Industries up to 16,000 trash removal customers with 15 trucks. Though they would seem to be at the top of the world, the Barcoms worry a new Trash Districts Development Plan' prepared by a county Solid Waste Management Task Force would put him out of business.
They were among about 100 protestors of the plan who turned out for a public meeting on August 9 at Abiding Savoir Lutheran Church 4355 Butler Hill Road.
Michael and Bryan Barcom worry that the proposal to create 20 trash districts in unincorporated St. Louis. County and award one contract to a hauler for each district, along with additional requirements for bidders, would push out small haulers. It’s conceivable that the same hauler could be selected for all 20 districts.
From having nothing three and a half years ago, Barcoms built their American Eagle Waste Industries up to 16,000 trash removal customers with 15 trucks. Brian Barcom, co-owner of American Eagle, said; "We're throwing an uproar because we’re trying to save our livelihood as well as the people that work for us."
"They're just trying to corner the market. They're not making it fair," Bryan Barcom said. Barcom was hardly alone in his sentiments.
Celeste Witzel, 49, an executive secretary who has become a leader of the opposition, said the proposal would put a lot of small companies out of business.
County Councilman John Campisi, R-6th District, an opponent of the plan, urged people to complain to
the County Council. "It's something you need to get involved in," Campisi said. "I represent my area and my area does not want this kind of thing to happen," Campisi said.
The plan, available on the St. Louis County government web site, was drawn up by a task force led by the county's chief operating officer, Garry W. Earls.
In a question and answer period, some went so far as to talk about incorporating a new city in South County. The last time South County residents voted on incorporation, in the· mid-1990s, they voted it down sharply. "The way the county is pushing now, I would be one of the front runners for incorporation," said one person.
One woman, though, was taken aback by the tone of the criticism. "I'm really shocked at hearing the arrogant, mean-spirited remarks about county government," she said, shortly before leaving the meeting.
For his part, Earls said he didn't think the plan would hurt smaller trash haulers. There would be districts in which smaller haulers would be able to compete, he said. But they would have to show that they could provide quality service. As for complaints, Earls said there might be a lot at the beginning, but not in the long-term.
Contracts for two districts would be awarded in the first quarter of 2008, followed by four others' and then the rest in the first quarter of 2009. "We're really trying to work towards supporting the huge majority of people, but there always is some minority that disagrees," Earls said.
He said American Eagle may be the cause of the criticism in South County, because it feels threatened by the process.
They were among about 100 protestors of the plan who turned out for a public meeting on August 9 at Abiding Savoir Lutheran Church 4355 Butler Hill Road.
Michael and Bryan Barcom worry that the proposal to create 20 trash districts in unincorporated St. Louis. County and award one contract to a hauler for each district, along with additional requirements for bidders, would push out small haulers. It’s conceivable that the same hauler could be selected for all 20 districts.
From having nothing three and a half years ago, Barcoms built their American Eagle Waste Industries up to 16,000 trash removal customers with 15 trucks. Brian Barcom, co-owner of American Eagle, said; "We're throwing an uproar because we’re trying to save our livelihood as well as the people that work for us."
"They're just trying to corner the market. They're not making it fair," Bryan Barcom said. Barcom was hardly alone in his sentiments.
Celeste Witzel, 49, an executive secretary who has become a leader of the opposition, said the proposal would put a lot of small companies out of business.
County Councilman John Campisi, R-6th District, an opponent of the plan, urged people to complain to
the County Council. "It's something you need to get involved in," Campisi said. "I represent my area and my area does not want this kind of thing to happen," Campisi said.The plan, available on the St. Louis County government web site, was drawn up by a task force led by the county's chief operating officer, Garry W. Earls.
In a question and answer period, some went so far as to talk about incorporating a new city in South County. The last time South County residents voted on incorporation, in the· mid-1990s, they voted it down sharply. "The way the county is pushing now, I would be one of the front runners for incorporation," said one person.
One woman, though, was taken aback by the tone of the criticism. "I'm really shocked at hearing the arrogant, mean-spirited remarks about county government," she said, shortly before leaving the meeting.
For his part, Earls said he didn't think the plan would hurt smaller trash haulers. There would be districts in which smaller haulers would be able to compete, he said. But they would have to show that they could provide quality service. As for complaints, Earls said there might be a lot at the beginning, but not in the long-term.
Contracts for two districts would be awarded in the first quarter of 2008, followed by four others' and then the rest in the first quarter of 2009. "We're really trying to work towards supporting the huge majority of people, but there always is some minority that disagrees," Earls said.
He said American Eagle may be the cause of the criticism in South County, because it feels threatened by the process.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Opposition Continues for Trash Hauling Proposition
Despite outspoken opposition from thousands of south county residents, a task force of St. Louis County officials said there is merit to forming more than 20 trash districts in unincorporated areas during 2008 and 2009.
The plan will remove residents' right to choose their own trash hauler and transfer that responsibility to the County Council.
South County residents continued their opposition at a meeting on August 9 with the Tesson Ferry Township Republican Club meeting. John Campisi, Councilman in the 6th district, says he is against the plan. He said he voted for the trash district plan last December but claims he was misled by former 3rd District Councilman, Skip Mange, R-Town and Country.
In response to the criticism, County Executive, Charlie Dooley, implemented a task force in April to further study the ordinance approved in December. The task force is headed by Chief Operating Officer, Garry Earls, concluded recently that the trash district plan should be carried out in phases.
Items acted upon by the task force include the following.
The plan will remove residents' right to choose their own trash hauler and transfer that responsibility to the County Council.
South County residents continued their opposition at a meeting on August 9 with the Tesson Ferry Township Republican Club meeting. John Campisi, Councilman in the 6th district, says he is against the plan. He said he voted for the trash district plan last December but claims he was misled by former 3rd District Councilman, Skip Mange, R-Town and Country.
In response to the criticism, County Executive, Charlie Dooley, implemented a task force in April to further study the ordinance approved in December. The task force is headed by Chief Operating Officer, Garry Earls, concluded recently that the trash district plan should be carried out in phases.
Items acted upon by the task force include the following.
- Establishing a trash-service fund to offset costs including payments to trash haulers.
- Formation of a Trash Service Commission to provide citizen input and advice.
- Concluded that county officials should establish a district boundary map and request for proposals and standard contract for services by December.
- Advertising for two trash district contracts by February 2008, advertising four more district contracts by August 2008 and awarding contracts to all districts by January 2009.
- Phasing in the implementation to identify problems and better learn the process.
- Start the plan in North County since many south county residents are skeptical of the plan.
The task force stated that south county citizens appear highly energized and opposed to the plan.
Each contract would call for a minimum of one trash pickup and recycling and two bulk waste pickups each year.
The task force feels that while some rates may rise for certain customers, its overall benefits will far outweigh any cost increases. They feel more efficient trash collection and more uniform prices far outweigh any cost increases.
For a copy of the St. Louis County Trash Development Report, go to: http://www.stlouisco.com/TrashDistrictsReport.pdf
How do you feel about the County's trash pick-up plan? Click on comments below and share your views.
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