2008 Woodie Awards
City Council raises waste removal fee
Andrew Thomason
Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: News
The last step to institute a more than 50 percent increase in Macomb's waste removal fee was taken at the City Council's Monday night meeting.
After months of debate, an ordinance to raise the rate was passed by a vote of seven to one, with 4th Ward Alderman Mike Inman voting against it. City officials said the higher rate is to compensate for fuel prices and the institution of the new totes.
"I'm not opposed to the carts ... (but) in June Mr. (Walter) Burnett (public works director) said the cost for this would be little or no increase," Inman said.
An increase from $11.07 to $16.75 will take effect May 1.
Dave Dorsett, 5th Ward alderman, asked Burnett when he expected all the carts would be delivered. Burnett said the city is currently making 20 to 30 exchanges each day in addition to distributing carts to the few people who have not received them yet.
"It's getting there, but it is going much much slower than any of us expected," Burnett said.
In other business, the council also voted to amend the Municipal Code to increase water rates starting June 1, from a minimum charge of $2.75 to $3.16 per month and a rate of $2.47 per 100 cubic feet to $2.84.
Dean Torreson, city administrator, said the increase is meant to help pay for a nearly $10 million project to update the Water Department's facilities.
The initial phase of the project, replacing the current filters with low-membrane ones, will cost approximately $3.5 million. It was chosen first because the new system will be able to handle the turbidity that has caused the last several boil orders, according to Benton and Associates, the engineering firm hired for the project.
Another avenue the council has investigated to help pay for the water project is through bonds. Bonds are a form of a loan in which the issuer - in this case the city of Macomb - sells bonds with a promise to pay back the initial investment and interest rate over time.
The council could issue two separate bond ordinances, one up to $3.5 million through waterworks revenue bonds and alternate revenue source bonds as well as another $1.3 million through waterworks revenue bonds. According to City Attorney John McMillian, the $3.5 million would be used to cover the cost of the filter replacement. Torreson added the $1.3 million would be used to cover initial expenses incurred by Benton and Associates.
"If we go through the (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) loan process, the summer of 2011 is when (the new filters) will come online," Burnett said. "Bonds would move that date up to the summer of 2010."
Burnett added that because of rising fuel prices and inflation, completing the project 12 months earlier could save the city money.
At Monday's meeting, the council also voted to allow the Macomb Police Department to order a new Chevrolet Tahoe to replace its current K-9 vehicle. Torreson said the current vehicle has a blown head gasket as well as a broken rear end, which, combined, could cost approximately $2,000 to fix.
While the money for this was not in the current budget, Torreson said it would be in next fiscal year's budget, which is slated for approval in three months.
After months of debate, an ordinance to raise the rate was passed by a vote of seven to one, with 4th Ward Alderman Mike Inman voting against it. City officials said the higher rate is to compensate for fuel prices and the institution of the new totes.
"I'm not opposed to the carts ... (but) in June Mr. (Walter) Burnett (public works director) said the cost for this would be little or no increase," Inman said.
An increase from $11.07 to $16.75 will take effect May 1.
Dave Dorsett, 5th Ward alderman, asked Burnett when he expected all the carts would be delivered. Burnett said the city is currently making 20 to 30 exchanges each day in addition to distributing carts to the few people who have not received them yet.
"It's getting there, but it is going much much slower than any of us expected," Burnett said.
In other business, the council also voted to amend the Municipal Code to increase water rates starting June 1, from a minimum charge of $2.75 to $3.16 per month and a rate of $2.47 per 100 cubic feet to $2.84.
Dean Torreson, city administrator, said the increase is meant to help pay for a nearly $10 million project to update the Water Department's facilities.
The initial phase of the project, replacing the current filters with low-membrane ones, will cost approximately $3.5 million. It was chosen first because the new system will be able to handle the turbidity that has caused the last several boil orders, according to Benton and Associates, the engineering firm hired for the project.
Another avenue the council has investigated to help pay for the water project is through bonds. Bonds are a form of a loan in which the issuer - in this case the city of Macomb - sells bonds with a promise to pay back the initial investment and interest rate over time.
The council could issue two separate bond ordinances, one up to $3.5 million through waterworks revenue bonds and alternate revenue source bonds as well as another $1.3 million through waterworks revenue bonds. According to City Attorney John McMillian, the $3.5 million would be used to cover the cost of the filter replacement. Torreson added the $1.3 million would be used to cover initial expenses incurred by Benton and Associates.
"If we go through the (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) loan process, the summer of 2011 is when (the new filters) will come online," Burnett said. "Bonds would move that date up to the summer of 2010."
Burnett added that because of rising fuel prices and inflation, completing the project 12 months earlier could save the city money.
At Monday's meeting, the council also voted to allow the Macomb Police Department to order a new Chevrolet Tahoe to replace its current K-9 vehicle. Torreson said the current vehicle has a blown head gasket as well as a broken rear end, which, combined, could cost approximately $2,000 to fix.
While the money for this was not in the current budget, Torreson said it would be in next fiscal year's budget, which is slated for approval in three months.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
tim
posted 3/19/08 @ 1:24 AM CST
i wouldnt get a tahoe, they have defective locks and nothing is being done by chevy, i have a lawsuit started now, you can pop the lock with a screwdriver and the alarm doesnt go off. (Continued…)
Matt
posted 3/19/08 @ 11:12 AM CST
Glad we are getting an increase in garbage removal fees when in actuality, Waste Management is taking less garbage. Previously, we could put out 6 55-gallon bags, for a total of 330 gallons of garbage. (Continued…)
AngelD
posted 3/19/08 @ 12:52 PM CST
I have had the same thoughts, Matt. Plus these things are just huge and unwieldy to move around, especially when full and especially when it is snowy or icy out. (Continued…)
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