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Member Vanderwall noted that without businesses being forthcoming and willing <br />to share information such as that, it was difficult for the Commission to know the <br />accuracy of billings unless complaints resulted in bills being adjusted. Member <br />Vanderwall opined that common business practice would indicate that all of the <br />costs were not simply a pass - through. <br />Mr. Stoltman likened billing practices and services to those choosing to shop at an <br />up -scale grocery store based on their services or environment or philosophy <br />versus choosing a less expensive grocery store; and opined that the value of a <br />customer having that individual choice in a grocer, trash hauler, barber or doctor <br />was an individual choice on their part whether it came at a higher cost or not. Mr. <br />Stoltman questioned if a higher cost meant that the City needed to get involved in <br />areas other than environmental or service delivery issues; and further questioned <br />whether it was this Commission's role to dictate that involvement. <br />first -t e customer or a long -time customer. <br />Mr. Stoltman noted that Member Felice was still free to make that choice; <br />however, he noted that the Commission was not providing that same choice based <br />on their comments to -date. Mr. Stoltman reiterated that trash collection was not a <br />utility, but a free - market business, even though the Commission was attempting to <br />make it a utility. <br />Chair DeBenedet clarified that throughout most of the country, with the exception <br />of the State of Minnesota, trash collection was considered a utility. <br />Page 12 of 17 <br />