St. Paul's new plan for picking up garbage rolls out Monday, October 1. While some neighbors are fine with that, others, like Patricia Hartmann, are worried about higher cost.
Outside of J&S Bean Factory, on a cool fall day in St. Paul, Hartmann strikes up conversation with strangers.
"We are petitioning to let the people have a say," Hartmann told one such stranger.
It's a service she's willing to do because of upcoming changes to a City service: trash collection.
"I think the old system was very good," she said. "I know that the old system really encouraged community involvement."
For decades, St. Paul has allowed people to choose which companies haul away their trash and to share that service with their neighbors.
However, come Monday, there will be one designated hauler for each separate area of St. Paul. There are five areas. Meaning, on an individual street, everyone should see the same truck outside.
That sounds good to musician Peter Hennig.
"There are loud garbage trucks going down our alley every day it seems like, five days a week at least, and the timing is a little bit inconsistent," Hennig said. "It will be nice to have something more consistent."
The City says that the new system will make prices consistent across St. Paul. For some people, this will mean a lower price. But not for Hartmann.
"My fees are going to go up by about 33 percent," she said.
On Thursday, she handed over more than 5,800 signatures to the Ramsey County Election Office for review. She and her neighbors continue to collect more signatures because of a technicality. There are two City ordinances subject to the petitions and the deadline to submit signatures for the second ordinance isn't until next month.
The County will need to verify each name on the lists. In the meantime, the new trash plan is in the can and will begin regardless October 1.
Whether or not an individual service fee goes up, everyone in St. Paul will have to pay $25 a year for bins. However, once the County goes over all of the signatures, there could be a public vote. If that happens, it wouldn't be on the ballot until February or later.