Garbage collection was high on the agenda of the Clarendon City Council during its regular meeting last Thursday, December 12, as aldermen again grilled Waste Connections about its performance in the city.
The private waste collection service has been the subject of several complaints by citizens for several months. Things seemed to be improving when the council met in November; but after tapering off, the number of missed Dumpster complaints has started going up again, city officials said.
Waste Connections representative Christian Rios told the council the company has had “some hiccups the last couple of weeks” and said Waste Connections was willing to refund $3,000 to the city for its missed collections. The company claims a 95 percent collection rate.
“That’s an insult,” Alderman Eulaine McIntosh said, regarding the $3,000 offer.
Alderman Ashlee Estlack agreed with McIntosh and pushed back against the company’s collections claim.
“There’s no way we’re at 95 or more percent collections,” Estlack said.
Alderman Tommy Hill said his trash had not been picked up in three and a half weeks and suggested a Waste Connections supervisor come ride with the local driver for a week to see what’s happening.
“His truck gets full, and he has to leave town,” Hill said. “You think it’s bad now; you wait till Christmas gets here.”
Rios said he would have a supervisor ride with the driver and would have two trucks last Friday and Saturday to try to get caught up and would have two trucks run through the holidays.
Estlack and McIntosh also continued to push Rios on compensating the city for services that were paid for but not received.
City Administrator Brian Barboza brought up needing Waste Connections to allow the city to go out early for proposals for trash service. The contract with Waste Connections restricts how soon the city can solicit proposals before the end of the term next September, unless the company gives its permission.
“We’re not going to renew,” Barboza said.
To which Rios responded, “We’re not going to rebid.”
In other city business, the council took no action on a request for a transmission line easement on the north side of town. Aldermen wanted to make sure any affected residents will be properly notified first. This item will be discussed again next month.
The employee handbook was amended in two motions – first regarding overtime pay during emergencies in accordance with FEMA guidelines, and second to allow incentive pay for employees, which is something the city will consider in fiscal year 2026.
The city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax ordinance was amended to clarify its language regarding short-term rentals. The council agreed last month that the ordinance already covered bed and breakfast establishments and lodging listed on online platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO. The new language is an updated version.
The board discussed the status of easements for sewer line work at the former Family Dollar location. A new business plans to open in that location in the new year, but the sewer line work must be completed first.
The board voted in favor of reappointing Roger Estlack and Chuck Robertson to the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation Board. Alderman Estlack abstained from the vote.
Aldermen discussed possible credit card processing and food vending machines or concessions for the aquatic center next season but agreed more information is needed.
Alderman also began looking at possible streets to consider for improvements in the coming year. A map was prepared by Public Works Director John Molder, but no action was taken.
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