Judge Denies City Motion

On Monday, April 8, 2019, Judge Leonardo Castro heard the City of St. Paul’s motion seeking to bring the St. Paul Haulers’ Consortium into the referendum lawsuit.

The City attorney, Megan Hafner, argued that the St. Paul Haulers Consortium, LLC, needed to be added to the lawsuit, claiming it was an “indispensable party.” Citing the November 14, 2017, contract the City signed with the haulers, the City attorney claimed that the haulers’ interests needed to be brought into this action via a motion for their compulsory joinder.

Gregory Joseph, attorney for the Petitioners seeking the referendum on the City’s trash plan, responded that the Court could resolve the ballot issue without the involvement of the haulers. Arguing that the City could cite no precedent for its joinder motion, Joseph also pointed out that if the haulers viewed their participation in the lawsuit necessary, they could proceed by way of their own motion to intervene.

Judge Castro ruled from the bench, denying the City’s motion.

On May 9, 2019, the merits of the citizens’ right to hold a referendum vote on the new city trash plan, is scheduled to be heard.