The decision was made following lengthy discussion for the last few months. Basically, it came down to going to once weekly pickup or increasing trash pickup fees significantly. Once weekly trash pickup will permit the Sanitation Department to operate with three employees and should reduce operating time for the trucks. The current twice a week pickup requires four employees and daily use of both trucks. Use of each truck on a daily basis, especially with the stop and go driving of the heavy sanitation trucks, leads to frequent expensive maintenance and repair costs.
Plans are to divide the city into four quarters with each one served one day a week. This will allow for regular trash pickup even during weeks with a holiday day off. The business and dumpster service will remain unchanged.
Other business addressed included the "Welcome to California" sign project, the California Farmers Market, Cinco de Mayo, hay bids, NAP funds and a swimming pool issue.
No action was taken, and the agenda item was tabled on the two bids received on the "Welcome to California" sign planned for the Highway 50/87 interchange. Both bids were significantly above the $60,000 pledged for the project - half from the city, half from the California Area Chamber of Commerce. Although one of the proposals included lighting, the city recommendation is solar lighting to avoid an electric hookup outside the city limits. The council sign committee plans to meet with the chamber sign committee to determine which direction to go on the project. During the discussion, it was made clear that MoDOT no longer allows signage on the overpass structures.
See this week's Democrat for more decisions made by the council.