25_0930_PWETC_Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Robin Schroeder <robin.schroeder@cityofroseville.com>; Julie Strahan <j uliastraha n @cityofrosevi I le.com> Subject: Roseville Leaf and Organics Compositing Sight 9.8.25 Agenda Item 7c IYou donY often get email from- I warn wh; this is - nnrtant Cautl Tltis email originated outside our organization; please use caution. Hello Mayor Roe and Council Members Bauer, Groff, Schroeder and Strahan, I am writing in regards to the City Council Meeting held on September 8, 2025 Agenda item 7c: the closure of the City/s leaf and organics composting site. I understand there are financial constraints regarding the purchase of equipment, specifically a leaf mulcher, that is needed in order to maintain the site, but the needs of the intangible good the community receives should also be considered. The city made no clear arguments as to what other solutions and ideas they had in order to keep this facility open, causing one to wonder if the cost is an excuse versus the city planning to sell the land to the highest bidder. For example, when the City used to vacuum the leaves and the cost became too high, those who wanted to continue the service were charged for it. Similarly, the City could charge a seasonal fee to residential users to help offset the costs and to deter commercial lawn services from dumping at the site and charge a higher rate per load. Mayor Roe suggests residents to use the Arden Hills and Kent sites; these both have drawbacks. The Arden Hills site often is overcrowded, especially during peak raking season, the hours are limited for organics disposal and quite frankly, the Arden Hills site does not have the capacity to handle the additional materials or vehicles. The Kent Street location also lacks hours that are convenient for organics disposal with many residents dropping their organics off on their way to work. What this means is fewer people will be willing to continue their composting initiatives especially with the city lacking any curbside composting pick ups such as what some surrounding cities have. While issues around illegal dumping is a problem, I suspect Roseville currently has a service maintaining security cameras; which while not eliminating the problem would offer a deterrent to this practice of unscrupulous actors. Unfortunately, the people willing to do this will continue to do it anywhere. Recently the decisions the City of Roseville are making are regressive instead of progressive and advancing the City to a more sustainable future. This can be seen in many different areas such as road plans that are not cyclists friendly, to closing of facilities that are for the betterment of the environment, to allowing more and more green spaces to be destroyed in order for homes and businesses to be built, or allowing people to cut down nearly all the trees on their lot and not requiring replacements or fining them. The City may look at this "it's just a leaf composting facility" but it speaks to the greater issues at hand that a narrow focus on finance is being looked at versus a wholistic analysis of both the fiduciary aspects against the betterment of the community that is attractive to current and future residents. Thank you for your time on this matter. Cordially, Michele Brusegard Page 104 of 175