By Terry Schrimscher
SPRINGVILLE — The city council of Springville met for the first meeting of July on Tuesday, July 6, after moving the regularly scheduled meeting from Monday, July 5, due to the Independence Day holiday.
In the work session prior to the meeting, City Attorney James Hill presented a proposal to rebid garbage collection services within the city. After a series of previous companies being purchased, trash removal services are currently contracted with Waste Management, Inc.
“We need, and they want, us to rebid the contract,” said Hill. “There are things that need to be revised.”
Hill gave examples of other cities including franchise fee provisions in waste management service contracts to maintain and repair roads damaged by garbage trucks.
Council members expressed concern with new contracts that would replace workers on the back of trucks with automated arms. The use of the automated pick-up would require all trash and debris to be placed in cans. Council members cited past history with automated equipment leaving debris on the side of the road.
“We can dictate the terms up to a point,” said Mayor Dave Thomas. “We can tell them what we want and what we expect but we can only get what the market will provide.”
Hill requested the council to extend the contract with Waste Management through September in order to put together a comprehensive bidding process.
Mayor Thomas introduced new Deputy City Clerk Kim Stone, who was working her first day on the job at City Hall.
“Springville is an adorable town,” said Stone. “I am excited. I’m most excited to learn from Lynn,” she said of City Clerk Lynn Porter.
Stone comes to Springville from Tarrant, where she has served since November. She previously served in the same capacity for the city of Heflin for nine years. The Assistant City Clerk position is a full-time position.
The council approved three items on the consent agenda during the session.
– Kevin Early was appointed to the park board replacing Katie Massey who recently moved out of Springville.
– The Miss Historic Springville Pageant will receive $2000 in scholarship funds from the city for pageant winners. $1500 will be awarded to the pageant winner and $500 to the teen winner.
– An agreement to extend the current waste management contract through September, as discussed in the work session prior to the meeting.
The council also approved a resolution changing the posted speed limit in Crandall Crest from 15 miles-per-hour to 20 miles-per-hour.
Mayor Thomas also spoke to the council about the branding for the city—which has been part of his agenda for downtown improvements since taking office. Thomas referenced the city of Fairhope, on Mobile Bay, as a city that markets itself well to visitors.
He asked the council to consider decorative signs and other aesthetic improvements in the downtown historic district. He also mentioned the potential purchase of two buildings in the downtown area that could be used for overcrowded city offices.
The buildings are not currently listed for sale but Thomas feels the owners would be willing to work with the city if the council agrees.