By Loyd McIntosh, For The Tribune
CENTER POINT — For the second consecutive week, brush and debris pick-up was the primary topic of discussion during the Center Point City Council meeting on Thursday, July 21. Two area property owners braved the stormy weather to voice their concerns about the city’s ongoing brush and debris removal struggles.
The meeting, which was delayed from its usual start time of 6:15 p.m. until 7 p.m., was further delayed due to the absence of several members of the City Council and Mayor Bobby Scott, who were away attending training, and the late arrival of Councilwoman Sharon Jones. Without enough council members in attendance at 7 p.m. to establish a quorum, the meeting did not officially begin until Jones’ arrival at 7:23 P.M.
Prior to the official start of the meeting, Council President D.M. Collins met with Ellis Stevenson, a Center Point resident for the past two years, and Anthony Covington, owner of an investment property on First Street, both of whom say brush has been sitting on their street in front of their property and their neighbor’s for months.
“I put some brush on the side of the street and hoped they would come inside of a month, but we’re going on month three now,” Stevenson said. “I’ve got bags and a lot of stuff that I cut up out there and I need to have it moved because it makes my house look bad.”
Speaking with Stevenson one-on-one, Collins went over the details of the city’s new brush pick-up schedule and promised to speak with Mayor Scott the next day and ensure the debris would be cleared away from his home the next day.
According to the City Council, Waste Management, Inc. discontinued offering brush and debris pick-up on May 1, 2022, forcing Center Point leadership to seek alternative avenues for the service. Additionally, the city’s only dump truck has been out of service for several weeks and is in need of repair before it can be put back to use.
During the time set aside for public comment, Covington volleyed back and forth with Collins over the timeline of events and what he perceives as some foot-dragging to develop alternative solutions.
“My concern is in March and April when this debris was still up, why wasn’t it picked up then and why was Waste Management not held accountable for that pickup,” said Covington.
Collins, in response, said that Waste Management was held accountable and fined multiple times for missed pickups and other issues going back to 2021. “Prior to them officially ending the service, we did have a lot of interruptions in service with that company,” said Collins.
Next, Covington acknowledged the bind the city is in due to the dump truck being out of service but asked the members of the City Council if they had considered leasing a truck.
“I just Googled three companies and there’s three right here on Pinson Valley Parkway, United Rentals and Penske in Trussville, and Penske on Carson Road,” said Covington. “Have you considered leasing a truck until the repairs are made?”
“We have considered leasing trucks. A lot of those companies do lease trucks but they don’t have the equipment available, but we have considered those options,” Collins said.
Additionally, Collins, Councilwoman Sharon Jones, and Councilwoman Tiffany Collins Moore, all stated that the city leadership is exploring other options, including working temporarily with Eastern Tree Service, the purchase of a second dump truck to be delivered to the city in November, and the creation of a new city department tasked with brush and debris removal which they anticipate will be approved and fully-funded soon.
“When Waste Management stopped offering the service to our residents we were left with no choice really and we’re working to establish the department,” said Collins. “We are doing what we can to address the concerns. It’s a real issue here and we’ve just been put in the place where we have to do something about it.”
Jennifer McKay, Waste Management’s Sr. Communications Specialist, Mid South Area, responded to a request for comment from The Tribune on the matter, stating, “Waste Management is committed to providing safe and efficient service to all of our customers. Waste Management did stop providing brush and debris removal in May.” No additional details from Waste Management have been made available at this time.
In related news, the council approved a resolution on a $6,525.71 estimate to repair the damage to the city’s dump truck.
Attempts to reach Waste Management for comment during business hours on Friday, July 22, were unsuccessful.
Other Items Discussed:
• Approval of a request from Jefferson County to rename Leigh Drive to Leigh Circle
• Approval to consider an $8,000 expenditure for asbestos removal at the city-owned property at 533 Sunhill Road damaged in a tornado in 2021. Councilwoman Collins stated that the expenditure will be paid for from insurance funds, not from the city’s general fund.