HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_CCMeeting_04062010IONA TOWN MEETING TRASH COLLECTION SERVICE
APRIL 6, 2010 8:00 P.M.
IONA COMMUNITY CENTER
PRESENT: Mayor Brad Andersen, Council President Jane Shaw, Council member Dan
Gubler, Council member Bruce Case, Council member Dennis McArthur, City Clerk
Robyn Keyes.
VISITORS: Barbara Schreier, Michael Schreier, Sharon Welker, Mike Taylor, Lynn
Morgan, Linda McArthur, Gordon Johnson, Anna Jean Sweat, Dee Johnson.
Mayor Andersen welcomed the attendees. He the explained the reason for the meeting
was to hear public opinion and suggestions regarding the trash collection services in Iona.
The Mayor explained there were 4 different trash services picking trash up on 4 different
days in Iona creating a costly impact upon the roads, and leaving unsightly trash bins on
the road. Mayor Andersen said the Council had been thinking about the issue for the last
year and in support of the people that wanted to haul their own trash, the program would
not be mandated. The City was looking for a contract similar to a franchise. The City
could contract with one company, and if a patron wanted to subscribe to trash service
they would be required to go with the contracted server. By contracting with one
company, the rate for the service may be less than the current rate.
Mayor Andersen asked the public for their opinions.
Mike Taylor asked if one company could handle all the patrons in Iona. Council member
Gubler said one company could handle the city's trash.
Mike Schreier said he was in favor of the idea as long as it was not mandated and he
could still haul his own trash away.
Sharon Welker asked what would stop the company from raising the prices. Council
member Gubler said the City would enter into a contract with the company. Council
member Gubler said raising prices would be inevitable due to rising fuel costs, but if the
company wanted to raise the prices that were unreasonable when the contract was
renewed, the City would ask for new proposals from the other companies.
Mike Taylor asked what would happen if the County started charging a use fee and the
trash company had to pay that fee. Council member Gubler said the company would be
locked into a price rate and would have to absorb the rate increase.
Council member McArthur said it would be in the best interest of the trash company to
stay competitive in order to keep the contract.
Mike Taylor said a company might not want to enter into a contract if they were not
guaranteed a certain amount of patrons. Mayor Andersen said the City would not enter
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into a contract if the company required a quota. The Mayor said according to the
Comprehensive Plan Survey, 70% of the City's patron were in favor of the service, which
would be at least 420 patrons.
Council member Case said he, along with the rest of the Council, were considering the
best interest of the City's patrons and would not enter into a contract that would not be
beneficial to the people. Council member case suggested the people in attendance talk
with their neighbors regarding the ideas presented at the meeting.
The Mayor reiterated the proposal suggestions, which were;
1. non -mandated service
2. at least 420 patrons subscribe to trash collection service
3. billing would be administrated by the trash company
4. service would be exclusive and the City may enter into a franchise with the
company patrons outside the city limits would be offered the same rate
5. fee rate would be set for 2-5 years
6. patrons fee would not be raised if the County started charging a use fee
7. additional containers rate would be negotiated, the company would be flexible
with people that leave for extended periods
8. people that had paid for the entire year would be given a credit
9. if the company offered commercial service business owners
Mayor Andersen thanked everyone for attending and said the City would issue a request
for proposal with the local trash companies. The Mayor said the process may take several
months to finalize, and if the Council did not like the proposals, the trash collection
would just remain the way it was.
Meeting closed.
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