Grace City Report
10/1 Public Hearing on garbage rates
At the beginning of October, a public hearing was held in Grace on the issue of raising the waste disposal rates. Mayor Barthlome called for comments from the public. David Pristupa asked what kind of percentage the increase would involve. Mayor Barthlome stated that it had been published, and was to be 46.5%. Mr. Pristupa stated that was a pretty hefty increase, and wondered about the justification for such a hefty increase for our solid waste. He inquired whether the landfill had started charging the city more.
Mayor Barthlome stated that no, the sewer and garbage were all one fund, and had been separated out this year. This meant that the city had to have the garbage sustain itself, the wages, and wear and tear, instead of the sewer helping support it or the garbage supporting the sewer. The city arrived at the figure of $16.00, noting that in the county they are paying $20.00 per month.
Mayor Barthlome stated that in the city there are people that call asking the city to make extra trips because they forgot to put out their garbage cans. Mr. Pristupa explained that he understood that to be the case, but further said the his problem with the city sending the employees out for people forgetting to put their cans out is that if he forgets to put his out, he loads it up and takes it to the landfill himself as his own responsibility. He doesn't expect those guys to come back and get it, and thinks that maybe the city should consider a fee for a second delivery because they forgot.
Councilmember Lowe and Mayor Barthlome explained that the city has a big expense of $21,000.00 for new garbage cans. The city just replaced some parts on the arm that cost about $6000.00 to be able to pick up the cans. Mr. Pristupa asked whether the orange truck was still usable. Lead Man Wright stated that it was, but it was was still being used a lot for spring clean up. However, if the red one went down the orange one could make it for a day, but not multiple weeks. If it were to be used too much it could lead to issues because it grips the cans so tight it crushes the little cans a lot worse than the red one. “It's one of those where if we have a problem we'll send out the orange one if we have to, but during the spring clean up with the big cans if grips them really well and it's hopper takes more stuff,” Lead Man Wright explained.
He also explained that the other thing that the city is looking at is the landfill has gotten more picky about what they want and what the city is doing. There have been times where the city has dumped trucks or garbage cans and they've said “no we aren't taking it until you get out here and sort it. So we've had to get in the backs of the trucks and sort out tires or this and that.”
The crew felt that it was not worth what we're charging if we're having to spend more time doing that kind of work on waste. Mayor Barthlome explained that there is a paper that the people have to sign in order to keep the metal. They can't take refrigerators, they can't take tires, but people sometimes “put it on the bottom and cover it up so we can't see it and we don't see it until we go to empty it. Then we spend four to five hours out there going through it,” Crookston explained.
Councilmember Lowe stated that she felt like that is what breaks our garbage cans probably. Lead Man Wright stated, “yes, I dumped a transmission out of a truck. I didn't know it was in there until it slammed down in the truck.”
Mr Pristupa asked whether there was a list explaining what the citizens could and could not put in the garbage. Clerk Reeves explained that they would have to come in and ask for it. Mayor Barthlome stated that there is a sheet for anyone new coming in when they come to sign up for utilities that tells them when garbage is. Mr. Pristupa asked if it could be put on Facebook. Clerk Reeves stated that it could. Mr. Pristupa stated the only reason being to let the citizens have access if they have to come to city hall some people aren't getting off work until city hall is closed so if it was online or even if it was on the City of Grace website or both that would be helpful.
Mayor Barthlome stated it was just basically for new people that the list had been made, because they didn't know and they had to sign it. The city makes a copy of it and keeps the original on file to create a record that the resident has seen the policy.
Mr. Pristupa stated that possibly older people in town maybe hadn't seen it. Councilmember Toone asked whether he put a transmission in his garbage can. Was there any retribution can you come back to me and say you owe us $500.00. Lead Man Wright stated no because the problem is “we don't catch half of it until we're already done especially a normal garbage day we don't know what’s in there until we open the back up and go to dump it and start dumping it and the landfill guys are like no that's metal you need to take that there and take that here.”
Crookston explained that “I know other cities do curbside and we'll have some people just throw stuff out and want us to pick it up. Before we did it because the landfill was like whatever you guys need to do we'll take it but now their like you have fridges with freon we're not going to take it without a fee and so it's coming back to whatever the city brings out we're going to get charged for it instead of the people who are actually doing it.”
Mayor Barthlome asked if there were any more comments. There were none. Mayor Barthlome called for comments from the council: Councilmember Toone stated he thinks it’s important that we get our fees in line so that we are self-sustaining, we were, other areas of the budget were having to make up for what the city wasn’t making in the sewer areas. Councilmember Lowe agreed, and felt that it was still fairly reasonable compared to the county.
Councilmember Toone stated sooner or later we had to do this. Mr. Pristupa stated “you’re saying the county but it’s really a private contractor” with regard to waste collection outside the city.
Regular meeting 10/1
Bills in the amount of $410,767.18 and payroll in the amount of $13,980.38 were reviewed for payment approval.
Superintendent Crookston presented the following permits that have been approved: #2025-15 - Sylvia Winschell -covered shed #2025-16- City of Grace - renew permit for Wastewater Treatment Plant #2025-17 - Jessica Graham -shed.
Julie Parkinson read a statement to the city council concerning issues with cats in her neighborhood. She feels that the city needs to increase its rules about cats such as requiring licenses and putting а number on the amount of cats allowed per household. The city council stated that they will have Superintendent Crookston go speak with the people in Mrs. Parkinson's neighborhood about their cats. The city council will discuss the issues in a future meeting.
The zoning map was discussed. The city council decided that they do not want to make any changes to the area from 4th East to the city limits from Center Street north to 4th North. The area is currently zoned as R2 Residential and the city would like it to stay R2 so that the city has more control over what animals the residents have. They also decided instead of changing the area from 10th South to the city limits on the West side of the highway from R1 to Agriculture to change it from R1 to R2. Zoning Commission Member Cathy Rasmussen will take this back to the zoning commission, and they will plan to hold a public hearing. The resolution, increasing the water base rate 3%, was read in full. Councilmember Butikofer moved to approve the resolution. Motion passed unanimously. The resolution will be numbered 2025-4. The resolution, increasing the sewer rate 3%, was read in full. Councilmember Tillotson moved to approve the resolution. Councilmember Butikofer seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. The resolution will be numbered 2025-5. The resolution, increasing the garbage rate 46.5%, was read in full. Councilmember Toone moved to approve the resolution. Councilmember Tillotson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. resolution will be numbered 2025-6.
Councilmember Butikofer told the city council about a grant that he found from T-Mobile that would help with park upgrades. There were some questions about whether cities are allowed to apply. Mayor Barthlome and Councilmember Butikofer will look into it further. Councilmember Butikofer also mentioned that he has been told by several people that they are interested in a pickleball court and willing to help build or donate supplies to get one built.
Councilmember Lowe moved to approve Mayor Barthlome to sign paperwork in regard to the updated transportation plan. Councilmember Butikofer seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
The certificate of deposit (CD) for the center street bridge project is due on October 8. The project won't be started until later this fall but there will be some expenses before the next 6 months if the CD is renewed. Mayor Barthlome felt that $250,000.00 should be available if needed in the next 6 months. Councilmember Lowe moved to put $250,000.00 of the CD into the savings account, and to renew the CD for 6 months with the remaining funds. Councilmember Tillotson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Lead Man Wright reported that the asphalt at the Wastewater Treatment plant and 4th North will be poured on Tuesday. On the 13th the electrical shut down and swap over will be done. The screw press should be installed in the beginning of November. The park and offices sprinklers will be blown out for winter next week. Mayor Barthlome reminded the city council of the Homecoming parade on the 10th at 3:00 p.m. She thanked the employees for all of their hard work. Councilmember Toone reminded the city council of the groundbreaking for the Caribou Medical Center Grace Clinic on the 13th. Meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
