Waste collection rates on hold for more discussion
Proposal to raise residential rates to $13.12 a month needs study
By Jennifer Roblez
Originally published 04:21 p.m., October 3, 2007
Updated 09:36 a.m., October 4, 2007
On Jan. 1 it’s all but certain Emporia residents will pay higher waste collection rates and possibly have fewer hours to dump trash at the transfer station.
The question after Wednesday’s city commission meeting, though, is what needs to change to increase solid waste revenue by 25 percent?
City manager Matt Zimmerman brought a proposal to commissioners that they did not take action on in order to discuss it at a study session at 10 a.m. on Oct. 24 in the city conference room.
The proposal’s main ideas had been agreed on in principle during budget meetings. Now, city staff need to toe the line to keep the 2008 budget on track.
To do that, staff proposed these changes:
• Increase monthly residential polycart fees to $13.12 from $10.50, a hike of $2.62 or 25 percent.
• Increase loose commercial collection rates to $37.50 from $30.
• Tipping fees at the transfer station would go up, but scales have been recalibrated, as required by state law, to 10-pound increments to provide more accurate weights.
F On Sundays, the transfer station, recycling center, construction/demolition landfill and brush area would be closed.
Commissioner Jim Kessler acknowledged the need for a 25 percent increase in rates and fees but asked, “Have we had enough discussion on how to get to 25 percent?”
Mayor Julie Johnson agreed more time was needed and asked staff to look at the possibility of different rates for polycart sizes, which are now charged the same amount. Sizes come in 90, 65 and 35 pounds. She thought there might be a way to encourage conservation by charging less for the smaller-sized carts.
City manager Matt Zimmerman, though, said if smaller carts carry a lower fee, the 90-pound largest cart would need to be charged more than the proposed $13.12. Other staff at the meeting said it would cost the city the same amount to pickup and dump a cart’s contents no matter its size, so lower fees on smaller carts might not pay off.
In other business, the commission:
• Agreed to receive the Human Relations Commission’s proposed Rental Inspection Program at its 10 a.m. Wednesday study session between 11 a.m. and noon. City commissioners expect to set dates and times for public hearings on the inspection program and study the issue before taking any action.
• Declared next week, “Fire Prevention Week,” during which firefighters will visit Emporia schools and conduct fire drills and safety inspections. The theme is “It’s Fire Prevention Week — Practice Your Escape Plan.” On Wednesday at the Lyon County Fairgrounds, an “Extravaganza” will be held, featuring area law enforcement and other groups such as the Newman Regional Hospital’s Life Team. Demonstrations will be held and the popular event is designed around the week’s theme.
• Declared Oct. 17 “Disability Mentoring Day,” during which a person with disabilities will job shadow professionals in the community to gain insight into career options.
• Joined the Partnership for Working toward Inclusive Communities on the strength of Emporia’s work dealing with poverty, disability issues and the Somalian refugee population.
• Declared Wednesday, “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day,” during which advertising and other awareness activities about the major causes of transportation fatalities. Messages will emphasize the need for children’s seat belt or restraint safety, how to prevent drowsy driving and watching out for bicycles and pedestrians.
• Received a plaque from the Kansas branch of the American Water Works Association for the city’s best tasting water award. The city’s water next competes in a national best tasting contest next summer in Atlanta.
• Approved a proposal from Waters Consulting Group of Dallas to conduct a wage and classification study of the city’s workforce at a price not to exceed $71,280. The contract will be officially approved at its Oct. 17 meeting.
• Shortened the David Traylor Zoo’s mission statement to help it seek grants, and for other purposes.
• Agreed to purchase a solid waste truck with a low-entry folding door to prevent injuries to crews riding on the back step. The lower door is expected to make it easier for crew to ride in the cab. They accepted the bid from Roy Conley Refuse for a $150,506 (after trade-in) 2008 Peterbuilt with a Cummins engine.
• Agreed to purchase a small truck from Longbine Auto Plaza for a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado at a cost of $12,889, which was the low bid. The truck will be used by the water department to read water meters and other related work.
• Authorized the mayor to sign the Construction and Connection Agreement with Rural Water District No. 5, contingent on that board’s approval, to replace pipes and construct new ones, at a cost of $217,756.
Comments
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justthinkin (anonymous) says...
Here we go again -- the Commission talking out of both sides of their mouths -- A budget was proposed on good faith and the commission "collectively agreed" to the increase -- Now, when it comes to putting their words into action - well, that's another story altogether. They also discussed closing the transfer station on Sunday - but they may back out on that plan, too. No wonder the budget never works....the Commission can't stick to the plan. They say they will increase revenue & cut expense, then, when the time comes, they don't do either one. It's a lose / lose for the City people who try to put together a workable plan. They plan, but they have no actual say - they just have to live with the consequences. Come on people - you asked for the opportunity to do this job - now do it RIGHT.
October 4, 2007 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
justthinkin is right. A city committee had already met to propose a plan for the solid waste rate increase. Why ask a committee to do all the grunt work then show nothing but indecision afterwards? I will say that the plan itself should have been presented more fully however. For example, in addition to explaining why the charges would be raised, show the charges as they are now, then what the proposed charges are to be, and show the difference in another column. You could easily put that in columns or a grate of some sort. I think it was Jim Kessler who asked about what the rates were before.
Watching the meeting on TV made me want to scream, "Is anybody in charge here?" Don't be afraid of running a meeting, mayor. No one ever seems to make a concrete statement that carries any weight. It's as if they are all afraid of stepping on toes. Hey, it's lonely at the top; you people said you had ideas and plans for this city. PUT THEM INTO ACTION!
October 4, 2007 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
I've got to agree with everyone here. That budget was ironed out based on promises to cut expenses or raise revenue, or both. Maybe higher collection fees would cause people to recycle more on Saturdays, not Sundays. This commission has to abide by the letter of the law, not just the spirit, of the 2008 budget. This is just the first in a series of belt tightening. Frankly, next summer, I don't want to look at more property tax rates because the commission and staff couldn't execute their budget plan.
October 4, 2007 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spectator (anonymous) says...
A whopping 25% rate increase AND close the station 50% of the time it's most accessable to most of the public. Yeah, that sure ought to make money for the City and who cares if there are looooong lines on Saturday? Gasoline is cheap, isn't it? This place never ceases to amaze me.
October 4, 2007 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )