Published: March 21, 2008 09:55 am            

Camanche to increase garbage rate

CAMANCHE — The city of Camanche soon could raise waste collection fees after approving a new contract with the collection company.

On Feb. 19, River City Disposal owner Jorge Poblete addressed concerns regarding his solid waste collection contract with the city. Poblete told the council the proposed charge of $8 per household per month in the renewal contract was a mistake on his part and said that with the price of fuel, there was no way he could “make it.” He asked the city to allow an increase in the rate up to $10.50 per house. Lonergan stated that the contract could not be changed without opening up the service for bid letting again. At that meeting, the council approved a motion authorizing rebidding of the solid waste contract without canceling out the current service contract with Poblete.

During the regular council meeting on Tuesday evening, the city council opened two bids for garbage collection, receiving proposed rates from Allied Disposal and River City Disposal. City Administrator Tom Roth advised the council that Allied Disposal submitted a three-year bid in which first-year rates would equal $11.75 per household per month and included $4,000 for two large waste collection periods, equaling $219,352 for a single year. He noted the rate would increase 3 percent per year, going from $11.75 the first year to $12.15 per home in the second year and rise to $12.56 per home per month in the third year. Roth said the three year Allied Disposal bid would cost the city $658,212.

Under the River City bid, the city would be charged $10.50 per household per month and pay $7,500 for two large collection dates. The rate would remain the same during the three-year contract and cost a total of $579,306.

Roth said there were no surprises in the new bids, noting that Poblete previously had advised the council he would increase the monthly rate. He added that the city would have to raise garbage collection rates “no matter what” due to increases in overhead costs such as rising fuel prices.

Roth said the current rate charged to citizens is $11 per household per month. He remarked the rate would increase to $13.62 per home per month under the River City contract and increase to $14.75 per home per month under the Allied contract.

The council approved a motion to accept the three-year contract with River City Disposal.

Steve Ames, president and CEO of the Clinton Regional Development Corp., addressed the council and offered an update on work the CRDC is doing to market the Gateway region. Ames first thanked the city leaders for their continued support of the Quality Jobs For a Strong Future program, noting the initiative is creating new high-paying jobs throughout the area, while retaining jobs with local companies.

Ames said one recent big announcement benefiting the area came from the Union Pacific Railroad when UP approved rail access to the coming Lincolnway Railport. He remarked that the railport was the only project in the country to receive UP authorization, saying the approval is “a big deal for us.”

The railport, part of the Quality Jobs 4 A Strong Future initiative, will be located south of U.S. 30 and west of 54th Street and adjacent to the Mainline of the Union Pacific railroad. Project leaders say the railport will be utilized by heavy industrial manufacturers and bio-fuel producers that rely immensely on rail access. Because of congestion on the mainline, more than 10,000 feet of track must be constructed in order to accommodate unit trains or trains more than a mile in length. An estimate of the cost of getting rail access to the railport is nearly $15 million.

In June of 2006, the Lincolnway Railport received funding from the Iowa Department of Transportation Railway Finance Authority as part of the Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant Program. The project was awarded a total of $319,209, in the form of a $90,000 grant and a $229,202 loan. In December 2006, the project was awarded a grant of $244,500, and a loan of $244,500, providing funding totaling $489,000. Ames advised the council that an appropriations request has been submitted recently.

The Clinton Regional Development Foundation received a $35,000 grant from the Clinton County Community Development Association for the creation of a Lincolnway Railport and Industrial Park master plan. Ames said a contract for the master plan has been signed with engineering firm Shive-Hattery.

Ames said the CRDC continues to work with Ashford University in the development of the proposed new campus and is working to extend the Quad-Cities Foreign Trade Zone to include the Gateway area. He said progress toward creation of a port authority continues and he is working with local cities to encourage Tax Increment Financing policy. Ames said the CRDC currently is working with 13 regional projects and noted the area continues to see a large amount of job growth and activity.

Ames thanked the council members for the opportunity to update the council on work the CRDC is doing that could benefit the city. Mayor Jim Robertson thanked Ames for all his hard work toward regional development.

Under the agenda time reserved for comments from the council members, Kenneth Fahlbeck requested the city address nuisance properties with pest problems. He asked the city look into pest eradication before demolishing any buildings so the pest animals would not be forced into surrounding residences. City Attorney Tom Lonergan agreed it is a valid concern and stated he would look into the matter and inquire with the city of Clinton regarding procedures used in residential demolitions for the Liberty Square project.

        

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