City raises monthly trash fees
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 01:25 p.m., November 8, 2007
Updated 01:25 p.m., November 8, 2007
A price hike in polycart fees and the possible influx of more Somali refugees were two of the many items Emporia City commissioners addressed Wednesday afternoon during the city commission meeting.
Commissioners passed an ordinance Wednesday afternoon amending solid waste fees that will raise the rate for residential and commercial polycart services.
The ordinance, which will go into effect Jan. 1, raises residential polycart rates from $10.50 per month to $12.42 per polycart per month. This puts the additional annual cost for a single-family home with one cart at $23.04, according to the agenda item summary.
Commissioners discussed studying in 2008 the possibility of a curb-side recycling program in the future. Commissioner Jim Kessler said he doesn’t think it’s fair to charge those who recycle and only use half their polycart each week the same price as those who pack their carts each week. Commissioner Bob Agler said the polycart still costs the same even though what’s inside them might be different.
“The trucks still has to get there and load it up,” Agler said.
Commissioners passed the ordinance 5-0.
Other rates in the ordinance:
• Commercial polycart pickup, monthly charge is $12.42 per unit per month. Service is limited to three polycarts and a pickup once a week.
• Mixed loads: $5 minimum for up to 500 pounds. This is down from $9.20.
• Construction demolition: $5 minimum for up to 500 pounds.
Commissioners also spent a fair amount of time discussing the possible arrival of more Somali refugees in Emporia. Following an article that ran in the Gazette on Nov. 3, commissioners talked about the possibility of getting more refugees in Emporia.
Details on plans for a $104,495 grant were given during a meeting of the Emporia Refugee Resettlement Alliance on Nov. 2. The grant was announced recently by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. SRS and Catholic Community Services plan to use the grant to open an office in Emporia that will help Somalis find the services they need.
At Wednesday afternoon’s meeting, City Manager Matt Zimmerman said about 300 more refugees could be arriving. He said the new refugees are part of efforts to reunited refugee families. Family members will join other family members and if the family has moved to another location, the refugees who arrive here won’t stay in Emporia, but join their families elsewhere.
“There’s about 300 more refugees expected, if even that,” Zimmerman said.
The discussion during Wednesday’s city meeting then gravitated to the concern over rumors in the community regarding the refugees.
“I would like to see the city and the community be proactive in this,” said City Commissioner Jeff Longbine. “I think we need to try to dispel rumors and misconceptions.”
Commissioner Jim Kessler agreed.
“Just like anything, rumors and false facts will stir things up,” Kessler said, adding that he would like to see what assistance the Emporia Refugee Resettlement Alliance could provide to help dispel rumors.
Mayor Julie Johnson said if the public has questions they can always go to the city commission’s Web site, www.emporia.ws. The site has contact information is there for commissioners. Johnson said the commissioners can seek out answers to people’s questions.
In other business:
• Commissioners accepted the Lyon County Mitigation Plan. The mitigation plan, which was presented by Rick Frevert, of Lyon County Emergency Management, is necessary in order to qualify for funding opportunities. The mitigation plan focuses on events which could reasonably be expected to occur in the future and propose a risk to the community.
• A public hearing was set for 7 p.m. Nov. 21 for the renewal of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program.
• Commissioners approved a request by William Hatches to annex 1.55 acres of property into Emporia located at 1900 Rod J. The request came with an 8-0 positive vote by the Planning Commission.
• Commissioners passed a resolution supporting the expansion of Amtrak service between Oklahoma City and Kansas City. The proposed expansion of the Amtrak by the Northern Flyer Alliance has Emporia as a proposed stop on this route.
• Commissioners approved a resolution amending city policy governing the use of the Civic Auditorium for events serving alcoholic beverages. The amendment allows temporary cash sales in connection with a sponsored event. This policy will not allow alcoholic beverages to be sold at the snack bars.