As it has been talked about for the last several months, the Maryville City Council voted on changes for the city's transfer station's user fees during Monday night's city council meeting.
Members agreerd to leave the price of transferring more than 225 tons, at $45 per ton, and agreed at a $2.50 increase per each of the other tiers. For 150 to 224.99 tons, the price will increase from $47.50 to $50, and the price for less than 149.99 tons will increase from $50 to $52.50 per ton.
Councilwoman Pat Cummings thought keeping the price the same for those who used the transfer station the most, would be a sort of compromise for some of the city trash haulers.
Dennis Porter, who owns Porter Trash Service — which serves both the city of Maryville and other county entities — was the only trash hauler present Monday evening. He raised concerns about raising the tipping fees, and stated it could jeopardize any long-term contracts haulers have, both in the city and in the county. He also raised the question of whether raising these prices would drive local trash haulers to drive to St. Joseph to use their landfill. Porter said he understood why the city said they have to raise the fees, but feels that with the economy the way it is right now, it's just not a good time to do so.
Maryville Mayor Chad Jackson said he understood those concerns, but because of the cost to simply keep the transfer station open and running, the city had no choice but to raise the fees to gain enough money to break even, or they would have to close the transfer station all together.
The city will make these price changes effective July 1, 2009.
In other Maryville City Council news:
• Area residents may soon have the chance to purchase hot dogs, chips and drinks from a vendor who will set up shop around town and at Mozingo Lake on various occasions. Kirt Bowman has gotten permission from Nodaway County to set up shop on the courthouse lawn. He has also applied for a peddler's license and has passed a background check, Maryville City Clerk Sheila Smail said. He has passed a health inspection and is currently obtaining his liability insurance. Bowman will need to approach the Maryville Parks and Recreation Board to obtain permission to sell in city parks. Four out of the five city council members approved the request, with Pat Cummings abstaining. Maryville Public Safety Director Keith Woods said he didn't have a problem with Bowman setting up around town, as long as he wasn't obstructing traffic. Bowman can only start selling from his hot dog cart after he obtains his insurance.
• Mark Stiens from the Polk Township, as well as neighbors from North Dewey and Interlude Road discussed maintenance of those two roads and whose responsibility it is — the city's or Polk Township's — to maintain the area, both the street and drainage. Stiens said they had been receiving calls from area residents complaining about the deteriorating road and who can do something about it. Further discussion on annexation, project cost and other factors will be determined at a later time by the city and township.
• Council members unanimously approved the rezoning at Pleasant Ridge Subdivision at the request of Laurence "Joe" Barman. The rezoning of several lots now changes the zoning of the area from R-2 to R-3, which will allow the construction of multiple family dwellings. Because there were no neighbor objections, and because there are already similar buildings in the vicinity, both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Maryville City Council didn't have any objections or concerns with the request.
• Council members unanimously denied a request to rezone property located at 1632 S. Munn Street, owned by Mel and Ann Gibson. They requested the property be rezoned from an R-1(single family dwelling) to R-3 (multi-family dwellings). With several objections from surrounding neighbors and because the Gibsons didn't have any plans to actually do anything with the property at this time, both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Maryville City Council rejected the request at this time.
• City Council members approved a request from Shelly Hersh with Maryville Parks and Recreation to hold a mini-triathlon event from 7 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 8. The event will start at the Maryville Aquatics Center and use several city streets for the running and biking routes.
• A request by Dallas and Melissa Mullock, residents of 247th Street, to hook into the city sewer system is being put on hold by the city council for the time being. The Mullocks described the situation with a poor septic system on their property has been inadequate and faulty for at least 11 years. Their property line falls short of being able to be annexed into the city, but the Mullocks said they were willing to pay a higher rate for the city sewer use and that they would install a shut off valve that the city could have as a safeguard against non-payment. Because the city is currently going through repercussions from similar decisions, Jackson said he would be uncomfortable voting on the request at this time.
• Kirk Larson from Midland GIS presented a slideshow detailing the company's recently finished work on the city's GIS mapping of water and sewer lines.
• Teri Harr, from Citizens for Smokefree Nodaway County, presented the city with a sample ordinance for a Maryville smoking ban. Council members had questions including who would be responsible for telling new business owners of the smoking ban. Council members agreed to look over the ordinance to resolve any other issues and to hold several public hearings this fall to gauge feedback from both the Maryville and Northwest Missouri State University communities.
• Council members discussed the city's Wastewater Treatment facility and the presentation given by Gary Lee of Universal Asset Management at the last council meeting. Lee discussed with council members the possibility of utilizing the city's existing lagoon system and retrofitting it with a wastewater treatment process that would meet new permitting regulations — which the city will need to be in compliance with by March 2012. The city has several things they'd like to do or learn about before entering a formal contract with Lee. The city council along with other city officials are planning a trip to Johnstown, Colorado to take a firsthand look at their plant which would be similar to the one being proposed by Lee for the Maryville plant.
• The city purchased its first bulk unleaded and diesel fuel supplies in January, and since then the city has gone through the 8,500 gallons of unleaded fuel — which City Manager Matt LeCerf believes may have saved the city nearly $4,000 in fuel costs. City Council gave the city permission to watch current gas prices and purchase another bulk supply of unleaded fuel.
• City Clerk Sheila Smail said they had received renewals from various businesses in town for their liquor license renewals, and barring a few fire inspection code issues still being resolved, they have received a good response. Council members were willing to accept the requests for renewal of all applications, including John Yates from the Pub, who did not turn in his renewal application until Monday. His approval is contingent upon passing re-inspections of several minor issues. Keith Wood said that for a number of years The Palms has been told to install a hood over their indoor grill, and it still has not been completed. Council members will give The Palms' owner 90 days to install a hood over his range, or he will have to stop serving lunch and could possibly have his liquor license pulled.
• The city entered into a memorandum of agreement with Nodaway County Economic Development as part of a Neighborhood Assistance Program that will allow the city to use NCED cleaning equipment cost free. LeCerf said NCED approached him asking what kind of equipment would best serve cleanup in the Downtown Streetscape area. The city suggested a front side broom, which will enable sweeping of snow, dirt, dust and other debris as necessary. The equipment will also be available for use in trail development areas and along the Mozingo golf cart paths.
• Council members passed a resolution supporting the application of the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) for funding of W. 16th Street improvements between N. College Drive and Country Club Road. The project will be submitted for funding under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, an economic stimulus package to help the U.S. address the current recession. Should the city's project be chosen for funding, the city will provide matching funds through its budget and CIP sales tax income.
• An ordinance approving the replat of property owned by Maryville Partners, LLC, located on S. Main Street known as the Maryville Hy-Vee subdivision, was passed Monday evening. The group requested the area be rezoned from one plat into three. The city's Planning and Zoning Commission did not need to approve of the change. D.J. Christie said the rezoning would provide Maryville Partners flexibility for leasing purposes of the subdivision.
• Teri Harr, Kim Walker and Corey McVinua were all re-appointed to a three-year term on the Maryville Parks and Recreation board.
Maryville, Mo. —
