Mayor Melvin Carter declared a state of local emergency to ensure uninterrupted citywide trash services as FCC Environmental Services prepares to assume hauling for the majority of Saint Paul residential households. The declaration, effective 12:01 a.m., April 1 2025, temporarily suspends zoning regulations to allow hauling operations to continue while final zoning-related matters are resolved.
“Trash service is a critical public service that impacts the basic health and wellness of every resident,” said Mayor Carter. “Working together to prevent a service disruption is every city leader’s most urgent job this week.”
Minnesota law 115A.951 requires cities to provide solid waste collection to all residential households and businesses. An emergency declaration enables the city to meet that obligation while maintaining momentum toward full implementation of its updated collection system. By City Legislative Code, Chapter 13.06, an emergency declaration is limited to three days. An extension beyond that time would require a vote by the Saint Paul City Council.
As part of the transition, FCC Environmental acquired the property at 560 Randolph Avenue to serve as their Saint Paul headquarters. Though city officials deemed the use of 560 Randolph Avenue compliant with I-1 zoning, a third-party appeal of the determination was approved by the City Council, halting the process and related licensing and permitting requirements. The headquarters would include a compressed natural gas station for the fuel, maintenance, and storage of 30 brand new collection trucks.
FCC Environmental is committed to their $25 million investment in Saint Paul operations and has submitted supplemental documentation to the city to address community feedback during the Statement of Clarification public process. As a result, the city will resume reviewing the site plan as a public works maintenance facility. The Zoning Committee will consider the site plan on April 10.
鈥淧ublic works employees and operations are the foundation of a thriving city,鈥� added Public Works Director Sean Kershaw. 鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful to our partners across the city for working together to deliver on that promise.鈥�