Council changing fees for waste ordinance

CRESCO - Council approved changing the Code of Ordinances pertaining to fees for waste. All rates will be prorated to increase by 4% on Jan. 1, 2023 for the next four years, ending Dec. 31, 2027.

Also effective Jan. 1, 2023, residential costs will be $22.21 for solid waste and $6.15 for recycling per month per dwelling unit.

For light commercial businesses, costs will be $27.53 for solid waste and $7.63 for recycling per month per dwelling unit. Heavy commercial customers will be charged $20.35 per cubic yard per pick up.

Heavy commercial cardboard fees for 2023 will be a one-time stocking (placement) fee of $300 for a two-yard dumpster, with a $100 per month charge thereafter.

The three-yard dumpster is $375 for placement and $125 per month; a four-yard dumpster is $450 for placement and $150 per month; and a six-yard is $600 for placement and $200 per month.

• Public Works Director Nathan Widell said he and the water guys attended a lead service line meeting in Independence. “We can send out a flyer requesting property owners take pictures of their service lines coming into their house, rather than us having to gain access to each and every one of them. That’s the route we’ll start with first, to see what kind of response we get.”

The lead affects anything before 1988. The DNR wants a record of what type of pipes are being used.

• Police Chief Tim Ruroden noted some of the more common calls the department received in January. “These included animal calls, hospital/medical assist calls, quite a few funeral escorts and arresting charges filed were nine.”

• Access Systems was approved as the leasing company for City Hall, Fitness Center and Park & Rec copiers. They were the low bid, with a five-years estimate cost of $18,145.20.

• City Clerk Michelle Elton explained that several of the Urban Renewal Areas are expiring in the next few years.  Council will need to decide how to proceed with setting up designated areas. This will be beneficial by using TIF to help in future debt payments instead of increasing the debt levy.

• Brandon Kerian Park & Rec Park Director, asked to change from getting one mower from John Deere to getting two  Z Zero Turn mowers from Case IH and purchasing a side-by-side utility vehicle with snow blade for less than the budgeted amount. His request was approved. 

• It was approved for the mayor to enter into an agreement with Ahlers & Cooney for its bond counsel services.

• It was approved for the mayor to enter into a five-year service agreement with Johnson Controls Fire Protection for the Fitness Center.

• Dollar General was approved for a retail alcohol license.

• Michael and Jill Walton and Jayme and Janet Rustad’s applications were approved for the tax abatement under the Urban Revitalization Plan.

• Sewer adjustments were approved for water not entering the sanitary sewer system from Immanuel Lutheran Church, Shady Oaks Trailer Park, Willow Courtyard Trailer Park and Wemark Luxury Rentals.

• Council approved a public hearing to discuss a loan agreement not to exceed $4.6 million General Obligation capital loan note on Feb. 20 at 5:30 p.m.

• Council approved a notice to bidders be published for upcoming bids on updates to the water tower at East Park.

• The next meeting is Feb. 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Cresco City Hall.