By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
PINSON – Garbage options were discussed by the Pinson City Council during a meeting at City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 7.
At the beginning of the regular meeting, the council briefly reported on the recent Christmas tree lighting and parade in which the family of Caleb White was the grand marshal. Members of the council remarked on the number of attendees for the event.
“It was the largest parade we’ve ever had, the most participation we’ve ever had” said Councilman John Churchill. “And it was just great, so it’s going to be hard to beat next year.”
Mayor Pro Tem Robbie Roberts then reminded the public that a position on the Pinson Public Library Board is still open. Anyone who is interested in applying may call City Hall at 205-680-5556 or the library at 205-680-9298.
Discussion turned to the potential for the city to bid out for a new garbage disposal company or to retain its contract with the current one, which is Waste Management.
Issues with Waste Management have been brought up at several past meetings in which concerns were raised regarding the timing of pickups, among other complaints.
“We’ve been meeting with some of the vendors and talking with some folks, seeing what some of the dynamics are about what we might want to do as far as putting together a (request for proposal),” said Roberts. “Or perhaps sticking with what we’re doing. So, either way we’ve been learning a lot about the dynamics of trash pickups and unfortunately we’ve learned that there’s a lot of ins and outs about the trash business that everyone wants to get picked up but it’s kind of dicey at times as far as keeping that service for a while.”
A concern raised was the possibility of trash pickup fees being just as high or higher if it’s bid out to another company.
“I think we really need to – and we have and still doing it – a lot of consideration on this,” said Churchill. “But I think if we can get back and negotiate for the extension, basically about the same price that we’ve got, because we know that if we get another one, no matter who, it is it’s going to be around $120 bucks. So the possibility of having it as $90 is a lot more pleasing than ($120).”
Roberts suggested that bringing garbage services in-house is another potential option. Councilwoman Glenda Kirkland asked if in-house garbage service would be mandatory for all residents, to which Roberts said that there would be two benefits.
One of these would be to compel citizens that neglect putting up trash for disposal, another is that the costs would be spread out more evenly among the people and this may lower the price, though it may not be as much.
No action was taken that night and the matter will be discussed further at future meetings.
During public comments, Center Point Fire District Battalion Chief Chris Horn reported that there were 801 calls in November, 190 sick calls were transported, 498 emergency medical service calls, and 11 mutual aid calls.
A new ladder truck for the district has arrived but will not be in service until after Dec. 18, he said.
In other business, the council:
- Approved $1,279.80 to purchase headgear for the Pinson Valley High School wrestling team.
Pinson City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at City Hall on 4410 Main Street. Live-streamed meetings can be seen on the city’s Facebook page.
Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@gmail.com.