Aldermen continue trash talk

Trash service was front and center again when the Clarendon City Council held its regular meeting last Thursday, November 14.

Representatives from Waste Connections were present to discuss residents’ complaints about trouble with trash pick-up in the city and their company’s efforts to improve the situation.

“We want to know, are we doing better?” Waste Connections District Manager Bobby Fira asked.

City Administrator Brian Barboza said complaints from citizens has slowed down considerably and said most issues now seemed to stem from Dumpsters not being picked up at some rural locations.

Fira said the company had some issues with their driver.

“We trained him and thought he knew what he was doing, but obviously not,” Fira said. “We think we have our hands around the problem now. Our job is to serve you and pick up trash, and we want to continue to serve you.”

Alderman Eulaine McIntosh pushed for improved communications between the city and Waste Connections, and Alderman Mandy Smith said the communications as been a lot like “playing telephone.”

Alderman Ashlee Estlack said she thought the citizens deserved some kind of consideration, especially considering the recent garbage rate increase.

“We have paid for a service we didn’t receive,” Estlack said.

Waste Connections representatives said it could be possible for the company to increase the franchise tax it pays the city as a way to compensate for the service trouble, and city officials discussed being able to then turn around and possibly give a credit on garbage bills.

The council on October 10 had voted to have an attorney send a demand letter to Waste Connections regarding the trash service, but given the improvements since that time, the aldermen voted last week to pause that action for 30 days. The council will revisit the trash service in December to see if service continues to improve.

In other city business, Bill Word addressed the council in public comments regarding changes in when bill payments are considered late. He felt like better notice should have been given and asked the council to consider waving late fees for the last month.

Aldermen voted to accept the depository bid from Donley County State Bank as presented.

The non-functioning storm siren at Fifth and Collinson was discussed. The council voted to spend $9,000 to repair the siren and also to look at options for replacing the city’s entire storming warning system.

The council discussed amending the code of ordinances to include short-term rentals as being subject to the city’s hotel occupancy tax. Alderman Estlack said it appears the way the ordinance is written that it already applies to those businesses. The city attorney will review the ordinance to determine if it needs to be updated.

The council approved closing a portion of Kearney Street and Third Street for the Small Town Christmas event on November 30.

A motion was approved to contract with Texas Communities Group to assist with code enforcement.

Following a brief closed session, the council voted to place a written report in Barboza’s personnel file and took no further action.