Ste. Genevieve aldermen direct staff to seek bids for possible single trash hauler after heated work session

After a full public discussion and questions to company representatives, the Ste. Genevieve Board of Aldermen directed staff to bring a resolution at the next meeting to begin a two-year process to explore a single residential trash hauler. Staff presented survey results and comparative pricing; the board debated policy tradeoffs and heard residents' opposition.

City Administrator David summarized the outreach and survey: "We put a month survey monkey out for approximately 4 weeks. Had a 111 responses. ... That, similar to the first question, was 73.87% yes, 26.13% no." He told the board the survey asked whether residents would support contracting if bills were $27/month or less and whether recycling and biannual bulk pickup should be included.

Residents and aldermen pressed concerns about mandatory participation and truck sizes. One resident said, "I think we should have a right to choose who picks up our trash and not be designated ... that's not very democratic." A company representative responded to truck-size concerns, saying "the science actually supports having more axles on a truck" and that higher-axle vehicles can reduce pavement stress, while some board members and a retired heavy-haul speaker warned about turning scrub and potential localized asphalt damage.

Staff and vendor representatives explained the legal process: the board can begin research, craft an RFP with whatever service parameters it chooses (recycling, bulk pickup, vehicle-size limits or billing rules), and decide after bids are reviewed whether to proceed. Several aldermen said they preferred to "see where it goes" and voted to have staff bring a resolution next month initiating the two-year notice/RFP process; others said they remain opposed. The resolution to begin the study is not a contract award.