The Emporia Gazette

November 22, 2009

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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.

• 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 address 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 Peterbilt 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.

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