The Council adjourned the closed meeting and returned to the open portion of the meeting
at approximately 5:55 p.m.
This item is open to the public: Review of Council Rules, Ethics & Conflicts
of Interest
Mayor Buffaloe announced that the Review of Council Rule on Ethics and Conflict of
Interest portion of the Agenda will be discussed at the Agenda Retreat, May 26-27, 2022.
This item is open to the public: Dates/times for the Budget Retreat
This item is open to the public: Solid Waste Collection Alternatives
City Manager De’Carlon welcomed Director David Sorrel to discuss the Solid Waste
Collection Alternatives. Director Sorrell introduced his team, Steve Hunt and David Brown
to help with answering questions that were directed to their respective departments.
Director Sorrel presented the Council members and Mayor a powerpoint presentation
(also attached to these minutes) stating the status of current operations, then highlighted
the options for future curbside collections including privatizing the system, continuing with
the current logo bag program, eliminating the requirement to use logo bags and automate
collections. A copy of the presentation was also emailed to the Mayor and Council
members.
Director Sorrel discussed current procedures and operations, advantages, disadvantages
as well as issues due to the high shortages of CDL drivers.
Council Member Waner asked how long staffing has been a problem. Director Sorrel
replied there has been a steady increase in staffing shortages since 2015, however the
last two years have been especially difficult due to the COVID pandemic.Director Sorrel
explained the last two years the Solid Waste Division has relied on an outside contractor
to keep the services running, due to not being able to provide reliable weekly thrush
collection.
Council Member Fowler asked, in reference to employees’ work safety, what causes
employees to fall from the trucks while they are running and if it occurs because they are
trying to make up time due to shortages. Director Sorrell replied yes, but often the fall is
due to the employee losing their balance while holding onto the truck.
Council Member Fowler asked why the City did not implement the 5 bag limit?
City Manager De’Carlon Seewood replied indicating that the city tried to implement that 5
bag limit. Seewood explained the idea with the logo bags was to limit the amount of trash
generated in a home. There would be no way to control the amount of bags which could
become difficult for the Solid Waste drivers to pick up within the allotted time schedule.
Director Sorrell encouraged Council members and the Mayor to think of questions or
concerns they may have and bring those to the continued portion of this meeting on June
6, 2022.
II. ANY OTHER ITEM COUNCIL MAY WISH TO DISCUSS
None.
III. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:58pm.