Council considers trash needs, hauling

The McCook City Council spent more than an hour in a study session to discuss McCook's solid waste disposal prior to a regular meeting Monday night.

Public Works Director Marty Conroy told council members that the current solid waste facility needs major improvements to make it more accessible to customers and carriers.

Problems being experienced at the current facility include the steep incline of the loading area, the access for semi trucks carrying the waste away from the facility and the tight quarters experienced in the unloading area.

Conroy said he sees a need for a one-way in/one-way out driveway for the loading trucks, a higher roof and increased capacity.

He also raised the question of whether the city should begin hauling trash for businesses.

Conroy said there are 406 business accounts around the city that are not being served by the city. If taken over by the city it is estimated that the city could generate an additional $70,644 per year.

"There are opportunities to get more revenue," said Councilman Chris Overman. "My gut says if we're already in the business, why not pick up the business trash since we already go down the alleys?"

Another issue discussed is the city's yard waste collection. "The free yard waste dumpsters we place around the city are unmonitored and become a miniature landfill," Conroy said.

One suggestion was that the city remove the large green dumpsters and place individual cans at homes, charging $5 for a once weekly pickup over a nine-month period.

The cost of the recycling center also came into question. "We are spending $50,000 a year for the recycling program and a lot of that is to recycle products brought in from commercial haulers who pick up the trash from businesses."

"So what that means is that the McCook residents are paying to recycle someone else's garbage," Overman commented.

In response to the suggestion that the city begin considering a new transfer station, City Manager John Bingham said "the city, with the fee we're charging -- we are not charging anything to build a new facility. Our rates are not sufficient to take care of this."

The council also agreed to change upcoming dates for the continuing process of selecting an alternative water source.

The joint water advisory committee meeting and public information meeting has been moved to Tuesday, July 23. The committee and public will be asked to choose three sites to recommend to the City Council for test well drilling. At its regular meeting, Monday, Aug. 5, the Council will then be asked to select three sites for the drilling and direct the well Sargent Drilling Co. of Broken Bow to proceed with the test hole drilling.

The contract with Sargent Drilling was approved at Monday night's meeting in the amount of $46,790.

In other action:

- The council approved a $150 perpetual care fund to be charged with the purchase of lots at city owned cemeteries.

- Approved an amendment to address storm sewer discharge on third and final reading.

- Approved a contract amendment with Olsson Associates to pay $13,996 for additional services provided by the city.

- Approved an ordinance amending the municipal sewer evacuation trenches upon first reading.