Alto approves garbage fee increases
City receives $250,000 grant for sewer improvements, purchases dart gun
BY LELAND ACKER STAFF WRITER

The Alto City Council approved a request by Allied Waste to increase the garbage collection fees from $9.70 per month for twice-aweek service to $13.70 per month, paid some bills, created a security fund for the municipal court and discussed utility and personnel issues during Monday's regular meeting. Debra Dannelley, city administrator, announced the city will receive $250,000 in grants and matching funds from the Office of Rural Community Affairs for sewer system upgrades.

The fee increase, requested by Allied Waste, was due to increased costs of steel and diesel, representatives of the company said during an earlier meeting of the council. Allied Waste had allowed the city to pursue other options, but Councilwoman Annie Walker found that even at $13.70, Alto would still be paying less than other cities of comparable size for the same service.

Councilwoman Walker said for the same service Alto receives, Hudson pays $15.50 per week, Huntington pays $18 per week and Diboll pays $15.75 per week, but added that Diboll's second trash pickup every week is for recyclable goods only.

Councilman Monty Collins said, "I'm for the second pickup to be recycle."

Councilman Michael Sanders said, "It all goes to the dump."

Councilman Bob Pearman made the motion to stay in the contract with Allied Waste and Councilman Collins seconded the motion. Councilman Earl Clark said he wanted to go back and read the contract, to which Councilwoman Walker suggested the council abstain from voting on the motion so it would die for a lack of a vote, to allow Councilman Clark to read the contract.

The motion passed by a 3-1-1 vote, with Councilman Clark dissenting and Councilwoman Walker abstaining.

City buys dart gun

The council then voted to pay a $614.18 bill to Pnewdart, Inc. for a dart gun purchased by the utilities department.

The bill was submitted to the city on April 25 and a check was cut on May 17, but then Mayor Debbie White refused to sign the check, saying the city had not authorized the purchase.

Utilities Director Charlie Luse, who oversees animal control in the city, said the issue was a miscommunication.

Mr. Luse, whose department was given animal control duties in February, said he was explaining to Mayor White and other council members that he had no way of catching dogs.

He said he needed the dart gun to tranquilize them. He said during that discussion that Mayor White said she thought the city approved the purchase. So, he bought the dart gun.

Councilman Clark asked, "What if we make you pay for the gun?"

"Then I'll charge the city $500 every time I have to use it," Mr. Luse replied.

"I'll shoot them cheaper than that!" Councilman Sanders said.

The council then discussed code enforcement with Mr. Luse, with questions as to whether the utilities department has time for code enforcement.

Mr. Luse said with the help of the fifth person he wants hired for his department, they could handle it. The issue was tabled for a later meeting.

Mr. Luse pleaded with the council for the hiring of another utilities employee, saying the budget was in good shape and adding if it were not, then a general clerk in the city's offices should not be hired either.

Councilman Pearman asked that Mr. Luse's request be placed on the agenda for the July meeting.

Mr. Luse reported that a lift station broke down, so extra expenses were to be expected. He also requested the city go out for bids for portable 15kw generator/welders which would keep lift stations operational during power outages and could be used for welding when not being used for generators. He said the costs for such items are approximately $4,500 each.

The council voted to create a court security fund, which will take $3 for every citation and use it for court security.

Money raised for the security fund can be used for anything security related to the building the court is in, said Municipal Judge R. E. Christiansen. Such items can include security cameras, lighting and even allows for the hiring of a part-time bailiff, should one be needed.

Judge Christiansen indicated that since the court is located in City Hall, the security measures would benefit the city.

Ms. Dannelley said the city has received 14 applications for the general clerk position.

Those applications will be reviewed in a special meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 14 at City Hall.

A budget workshop is scheduled at 6 p.m. Monday, June 18 at City Hall.