At the May 2nd meeting, City Council was presented options of renewing or terminating its 5-year contract with Waste Management. The 5-year contract, ends on October 31st and will automatically renew for 1-year if neither the City or Waste Management terminates by July 31, 2017. Another option presented was for the City to terminate the contract during the time specified in the contract and start up its own solid waste program for residential and small businesses using Totes while still contracting out the commercial solid waste to those commercial users that are required to use Bins, Dumpsters, Roll-offs and etc.
Mayor DeForest presented a detailed budget showing the costs of creating and implementing a Solid Waste Department for the City, and the expected income. It is projected that the City could make the switch to a self operated Tote system for residential and small businesses with a 50 cent decrease in current monthly rates with no projected increase in solid waste fees for about the next 5 years. The concept is that the City would start with the usual once per week residence/small business Tote service as is currently in place, while hopefully being able to increase to twice weekly pick-ups, but this twice weekly service idea would have to be based on experience gained during the first year of once per week service. This City Operated service would only be for residential and small businesses using “totes”. Bins, Dumpsters, Roll-offs and etc. would still be handled by an outside company, just like it is in the current contract.
There were other details on possible enhancements that the City could plan to provide, such as a once every other month or possibly monthly Bulky item pickup. Also possibly performing a twice a year “Brush” pickup service and a once or twice a year “Specialty Item” pickup. All of these items would have the same restrictions as to what they were as is currently provided – these item restrictions are stipulated by the Victoria Landfill. A copy of this proposal and projected budget is available at City Hall.
After much discussion, it was decided to authorize the termination of service with Waste Management within the timeline specified in the current contract and seek quotes from solid waste companies, reviewing the quotes and then compare to see whether any quote or City Solid Waste Service would be most advantageous to the City.
In April, the City issued 14 building permits and one demolition/move-out permit. This results in a $40,090.00 increase in property valuation for the City.
Municipal Court Clerk Marilyn Dufner reported that 11 cases were closed during April, resulting in $1,509.50 in fines collected. With 19 new cases, there are currently 129 cases on the docket.
Janie Waghorne and local artist Cathy Yarborough spoke to the Council regarding the deteriorating mural on City Hall. Painted in 2012 to celebrate Seadrift’s Centennial, the mural is beginning to deteriorate. Ms. Yarborough and Mayor DeForest agreed that the peeling paint was no fault of the painter, Robert Avery, but due to moisture coming through the porous exterior of the building. Further investigation is required to determine the most durable process to be used in repainting. When the process and cost are agreed upon, Ms. Yarborough will paint the reproduction and it will be paid for from the hotel/motel fund.
Police Chief Leonard Bermea reported that with the warmer weather, more golf carts are being seen with open containers and also glass containers on the bay front. Both are violations. Chief Bermea reminds everyone that golf carts must abide by the same automobile rules of the road and must be driven by licensed drivers – no children! He reported that the perpetrators of a series of car burglaries on April 14 have been apprehended and most of the stolen merchandise has been recovered.
The Chief commended Officer Montero on his acceptance in the County Swat Team. This is a position the officer studied and trained for on his own, and in which he will be participating in addition to his regular duties.
