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. other cities, such as Shalcopee, have found ways to "level" the playing field for by structuring their RFPs so that small, local companies could truly compete for city business and have a stronger chance for survival. The Shakopee contmct went, not to the lowest (or largest) bidder, but to Dick's Sanitation, a local company. Shakopee built local decision-making and local accountability into their RFP and their contract. (4) Other Cities and Counties During the fact finding period the Falcon Heights Solid Waste Commission has stndied the experiences of other Cities. Some have chosen to adopt organized collection . . In 1999 the City of North St. Paul went through the organized collection process to ensure compliance with Minnesota Statnte 115A.94, although the city had a long tradition of contracted hauling. Their findings of fact stated that a single hauler would best meet their goals, and that is the system they have today. The City has four zones for collection on different days (5) . Little Canada institnted organized collection in 1989 and is served by a consortium of four haulers. Each hauler serves a designated zone of the city, and the same rates and services apply city-wide. Fees are volume based, and there is a charge for extra trash. The city offers a low income subsidy for households whose income meets Federal Poverty Income Guidelines and an at-the-door service subsidy for disabled residents. (6) . . The City of Shakopee organized collection in 2000, finding very irmovative ways to structure their RFP to make it possible for local companies to compete with large international corporations. A local company did get the contract. Shakopee applied for and received a grant to cover the cost of new containers for all residents. Fines for service complaints are built into the contract and paid through a deposit put in escrow by the hauler. As part of the contract, the City gets all its City Hall and park trash picked up for free. (7) . Lauderdale went through the statutory process in 2003 and is (at the time of this writing) considering bids. From the Lauderdale City Council minutes of February 11, 2003: "The Task Force has been studying organized collection for approxinlately two years, and there are many benefits to the idea that include lower costs and preferred environmental practices in addition to protecting tbe city's investment in its infrastructure that are part of the goals of the Task Force." (8) . Portland, Oregon, replaced open collection with a franchise agreement in 1992. Each hauler was given a district essentially equal to its market share at the time which "likely kept more small haulers in business longer than had open competition been allowed to continue." Rates have been "relatively stable" since 1992, and service has been standardized and, in the case of recycling, markedly improved. (9) . In its waste hauling "starter kit," Kettering Ohio, answered the questions "Why is the City of Kettering switching to a single-hauler system?" as follows: "The single- City of Falcon Heights Final Report on Organized Collection October 13, 2.004 2.5