In a bid for re-election, Branscomb faced Ralph Grant. Grant won the contest for mayor. Joining Grant in the town's government were Lawrence Hopper, William Miller, Cecil Cook, Michael Hoffman, and Kenneth Wigg. Hoffman resigned September 1968 and was replaced by Lloyd Gibson. Miller was replaced by Gerald Marchant in March 1969.

Pleasant Hill Makes Des Moines Cover Up

During Grant's term as mayor, the garbage controversy made front page news. The Metropolitan Solid Waste Agency held informal talks with Pleasant Hill and other local governments about establishing a huge landfill-dump site about ten miles east of Des Moines. Grant and the Pleasant Hill council did not actively object to the proposal because they were assured that a similar site west of Des Moines would also be opened. In addition, Pleasant Hill's representative on the Waste Agency Board, Herb Winters, was strongly in favor of the landfill.

Unfortunately, purchase of land for a westside site was blocked by court action. As a result all of the garbage trucks in the metropolitan area used the east side landfill. In order for the trucks and anyone else who hauled trash to get to the landfill, they would travel out University Avenue on Highway 163. As the trucks drove through Pleasant Hill, a lot of the trash they hauled was being blown out onto the road and into the ditches.

In order to fight the mess, the town council passed a cover ordinance that was written by the town's attorney, Don Swanson. The ordinance required all trucks hauling trash to be covered. The Pleasant Hill police were instructed to enforce the ordinance. When the trucks would pass through town uncovered, the police would stop them and issue a citation. The drivers had to appear in mayor's court with Mayor Grant presiding. Fines were imposed on the offenders. The ordinance worked so well that Swanson received inquiries from around the nation for copies. The Des Moines garbage trucks still have covers because of Pleasant Hill.