Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010
Recycling efforts still in beginning phases
John Beaudoin, Journal Publisher
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Future recycling efforts in Blue Springs are most certainly still in the drawing board phase.
That point was apparent Monday night at the Blue Springs City Council meeting.
Alice Fuerst, chair of the Blue Springs Solid Waste Management Commission, presented an overview and report on citywide recycling efforts and solid waste contracting options.
In front of a packed house, Fuerst’s presentation included a recommendation that the city of Blue Springs issue the state required two-year notice of their intent to provide solid waste and recycling services.
The two-year notice is required and would give the commission and city enough time to put a plan in place for such services and go through the proper bidding process to award the job.
Fuerst said the benefits of such a plan of action would include lower disposal fees, possible job creation at recycling centers, recycling awareness and fewer trash trucks.
City councilman Ron Fowler took issue with the plan, however.
“You’re saying you intend to put these businesses out of business,” he said.
In response to the presentation – which noted that surrounding cities such as Lee’s Summit, Independence and Raymore have implemented such programs – Fowler refuted some claims.
Namely that some homeowner’s associations actually saw higher trash rates and that truck traffic, due to the increased recycling, actually increased, both were examples out of Raymore, he said.
In response to the truck comment, the council chamber – many of them in the trash hauling business – erupted in applause, which was met by the gavel and a stern warning from Mayor Carson Ross that he would clear the room if it happened again.
Fowler asked if staff would support a public hearing on the issue. Ross responded that everybody will get an opportunity to get their say on the matter.
“Your honor, I beg to differ…” Fowler said.
“That’s where we differ, councilman,” Ross responded.
Councilman Jeanine Lauer called for more research on the topic. Fellow elected officials Chris Lievsay and Kent Edmondson also weighed in. Lievsay said he didn’t immediately see how the city being involved would help achieve the goals; Edmondson said right now he was against curbside pickup.
At Ross’s request, council members were to submit additional questions on the topic to him so the commission could continue to look into the issue prior to a vote in September.
Councilman Grant Bowerman said that despite the outcome, the discussion will lead to good things for Blue Springs.
“The positive result (is that) competitors will put their heads together and target Blue Springs,” he said.
In other action, the council voted unanimously in favor of the M-7 Highway and U.S. 40 Highway Tax Increment Financing Plan. The projects in the plan include an expansion of the current HyVee location into the old K-Mart location, including a convenience store and gasoline sales.
By a 5-1 vote, the council also approved a 353 property tax abatement for 901 W. Main St. for the Seventh Amended Redevelopment Plan on 12.28 acres that were designated as blighted.
Fowler voted against the measure, claiming the Blue Springs School District was not made aware of the tax abatement issue. He said during tough economic times, “I just don’t understand the merit of 100 percent tax abatement.”
Ross argued that the school district was not opposed to the tax abatement. City Administrator Eric Johnson also noted that the school district has been on record since March 2008 in support for the 353 program.
To reach Journal Publisher John Beaudoin, call 816-282-7001, or e-mail jbeaudoin@bluespringsjournal.com
