Garbage pickup locations changed

City Commissioners have determined how garbage pickup will operate in New Rockford moving forward.

At their regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 2, commissioners carried a motion to have garbage pickup be in the alleys during winter months, and on the streets during summer months.

The change comes after a meeting with representatives from Waste Management in March of this year, when commissioners mistakenly carried a motion to do the exact opposite of what they intended.

During the March meeting, three options were presented to the city.

One was to have garbage pickup be on streets year round; the second was to have garbage pickup take place in the alleys year-round for all residents with alley access; and the third was to have garbage pickup from the alleys in winter, and from the streets during the summer.

The third option was ultimately chosen by commissioners, and moving forward garbage pickup in New Rockford from alleys will begin November 1 and go through May 1, while street pickup will begin in May and run through October.

City Auditor Andrew Presnell said the third option was chosen because it's easier for city workers to go around garbage totes with the street sweeper in the summer, than it is during the winter with a snow plow, which could also cause damage to the totes.

But back in March, the city mistakenly made a motion to do the exact opposite – to have garbage totes on the street in winter and in the alleys during the summer.

The new motion made on Monday corrects that error, and the change is effective for the next garbage pickup day on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Also regarding Waste Management, Commission President Stu Richter said they’ve received a number of complaints from residents regarding garbage pick-up in the city, but haven’t seen progress on those issues after bringing them to the waste company’s attention.

City Attorney Travis Peterson added a personal experience to the conversation, saying he called Waste Management to address a complaint but was left on hold for 25 minutes before he simply hung up.

Richter encouraged residents with complaints regarding garbage pick-up to report them to the city, so that they can then address them with Waste Management directly. Those with complaints can reach the city via phone at (701) 947-2461 ext. 1, or by emailing [email protected].

Also during Monday’s commission meeting, the city sold one of its lots to an individual named John Anderson.

The lot sold is Lot 17 of Block 9 of the Railway Addition, located on the northwest corner of the city at the end of 5th Avenue North. Anderson said the land was to be used alongside adjacent lots he already owns for possible residential construction in the future.

At a size of 25 feet by 140 feet, the lot was sold at a rate of $3 per running foot, for a total of $75 plus filing fees.

The city’s next regular commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 6 at 9 a.m. in City Hall.