St. Paul mayor criticizes council's garbage facility blockage

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has criticized the city council for blocking the establishment of a garbage truck yard and maintenance facility. He claims this decision has created a crisis as the city prepares for a new trash collection service starting on April 1. In a letter to the council, Mayor Carter warned that their vote could lead to costly legal issues and disruptions in trash services. He mentioned the possibility of declaring a state of local emergency if the situation is not resolved soon. The council voted 5-0 in favor of an appeal from a local group that raised concerns about the facility's compliance with zoning laws. Council President Rebecca Noecker pointed out that the city's new trash partner, FCC Environmental, already began collecting from multi-unit buildings last year and plans to continue its services without the new facility. Mayor Carter argued that the council's decision is unfounded and is putting the city's ability to provide trash services at risk. He highlighted that FCC Environmental had committed to investing in a new facility and purchasing environmentally friendly collection trucks. Carter urged the council to hold an emergency meeting to address the issue, emphasizing the need for cooperation to ensure trash collection can continue as planned. The mayor also noted the council's role in reviewing the appeal should be more judicial and legally grounded.