Randolph: Adjusted emergency pay rates need for govt. staff
June 4, 2013OUR VIEW: Budget passage just a short-term fix for state
June 4, 2013
By early fall, Morgan City residents could pay as much as a $6 per month increase in garbage fees, while commercial business owners who use dumpsters will have to find someone else to pick up their trash.
The Morgan City Council agreed to a recommendation by Mayor Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi III, who reasoned that the city’s garbage fleet – three trucks – “is down to nothing.”
Grizzaffi said his administration has been plagued with sanitation problems since he took office on Jan 14. Shortly after he was sworn into office, a garbage truck caught fire and burned.
“We have a deteriorating infrastructure. We do not have a lot of money to do things with,” the mayor said. “A permanent solution is what we’re looking for. And it’s a very expensive endeavor to rehabilitate the garbage, to get in a spot where we can satisfy our customers.”
Grizzaffi said after considering a proposal from Progressive Waste Solutions, which would impose an $18 charge per month for residential collection, that it would be more prudent for the city to purchase refurbished trucks and to eliminate commercial dumpster collection entirely.
“Looking at the numbers, and there are a lot of numbers out there, it appears that if we buy refurbished trucks, we will be better off,” he said.
The Morgan City Council agreed to seek bids on three refurbished trucks, and to notify businesses in writing of their decision.
Grizzaffi said Morgan City garbage customers pay $12.19 a month. But he said since he has been in office, that cost is earmarked for $5 per customer maintenance costs and an additional $5.19 per customer in monthly tipping fees. The city has been left without money to pay salaries, he said.
“Obviously, we’ve had to subsidize. But now, it’s just too much,” Grizzaffi said. “We just can’t kick this ball down the road like we’ve been doing. Times are tough.”
The $6 increase marks the first time in years Morgan City residents have been asked to pay more. “In Berwick, for instance, residents have paid $19 monthly for quite some time,” he said.
Councilman Louis Tamporello, who supports the rate hike, said financial problems have plagued the city since January. “Every time we turn around, we find something else,” he said.
“Keeping residential business … makes sense,” he added. “But we will, no matter what, have to increase rates. It’s been quite some time.
According to the councilman, the city has the needed money to buy the needed used trucks.
“The people I speak with want their trash picked up on the days it is supposed to be,” Councilman Tim Hymel said. “That’s what is important to them.
“I think this plan is workable, although it may cost us an arm and a toe.”
Grizzaffi’s plan ensures no workers have to be released from employment, a vital issue for Councilman Ron Bias.
“I don’t think it will stop the bleeding immediately. It is just going to slow it down,” he said of the mayor’s plan. “Regardless, you know you’re not going to please all the people all the time.”
Keeping residential trash collection within the city will ultimately save locals, according to Councilman James Fontenot.
“By my math, we’re going to collectively save our residents $200,000 a year,” he said.
“There are a lot of risks – either going private or continuing to do it ourselves. However, we’ve been doing it this way for so long, we know what we’re dealing with.”
Public Works Director Mike Loupe said he will begin the bidding process, noting that he’d like to see two part-time maintenance workers added to the staff to keep the fleet “greased and ready to move.”
“Our Band-Aids won’t stick anymore,” he said.
Roddy Matherne, of Progressive Waste Solutions, told the council the refurbished trucks will not likely be reliable.
“Those trucks are pieces of crap someone else got rid of,” he said. “Basically, they’ve just got a new coat of paint on them and that’s it.
“You will still be in the same situation you’re in now, in the near future, once those refurbished trucks start rolling. An old Cadillac will always be an old Cadillac,” he said.
Progressive Waste Solutions provides service in Terrebonne, Thibodaux, and the remainder of St. Mary Parish, including Berwick and Patterson.
Morgan City residents will begin paying an additional $6 monthly for garbage pickup, while commercial businesses will have to find their own service provider.
