Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Waste management issues permeated the discussion at the New Rockford City Commission meeting on Monday, April 2. Public Works Superintendent Bruce Hirchert reported that an inspector came to assess the city landfill this past month. When she was here she noted several issues, which were outlined in a detailed report to commissioners.
One of the biggest issues the inspector saw firsthand was that residents were not sorting their loads properly, and items not allowed in the landfill were being dumped. For example, she found tubes of caulking in among wood and other building materials dumped in the burn pile. Caulking, household cleaning products and other chemicals are not allowed to be dumped in the landfill. They should be placed in the resident’s household garbage tote or dumpster for processing instead.
In light of the issues, the inspector recommended that the city have an employee monitor all activity at the city landfill to ensure that loads are separated and that the city is in compliance with state regulations.
Hirchert told commissioners that he thinks the city should consider hiring an additional employee to supervise the landfill per the recommendations. He said that the position would be part-time, perhaps 3-4 hours per day a few days a week. If the city moves forward with that suggestion, the landfill would only be open during certain hours, and residents would not have access via a key as they do now.
Another suggestion made by the inspector regarded landfill use by contractors. Hirchert said the recommendation is that contractors be required to rent a roll-off from Waste Management for building material waste. Rather than hauling loads to the landfill, contractors would dispose of waste in the roll-off for later removal by Waste Management.
No decisions were made, but the matter is on the agenda for the May meeting for further discussion and action.
In his Public Works report, Hirchert said that a frozen sewer main on Second Avenue North had caused damage to a private residence’s sewer line. The city approved to pay the $350 bill presented from Larson Plumbing, who repaired the damage to the residential sewer line.
Hirchert also noted that with spring thaw underway, residential garbage pickup has been moved out of the alleys and into the streets/avenues until further notice. City crews are working on the alleys and valley gutters to ensure they are operational as the thaw progresses.
Discussion moved to the landfill during the meeting. Hirchert reported that a loader driven by one city employee had struck a city pickup at the landfill causing $4,500 - $5,000 in damage to the pickup. A claim has been made with the insurance company. Once actual costs are known a decision will be made about whether to repair or replace the pickup.
Kristi Swenson, representing the New Rockford Lions Club, approached the city commission with an idea. Lions International celebrated 100 years in 2017. As part of the organization’s centennial observance, clubs have been asked to lead “legacy projects” in their communities. The local club would like to make repairs to the gazebo in Centennial Park for its legacy project. Members plan to replace rotten boards, rebuild the steps and paint the structure. The Lions Club will pay for all the repairs, so there is no cost to the city. The city passed a motion to accept the generosity of the Lions and allow them to complete the work.
Eddy County Sheriff Paul Lies was present to give his quarterly report. The department had 410 calls for service, responded to six vehicle crashes and wrote 128 citations in the first quarter of 2018. Lies said that he had addressed the parking issues at the corner of First Avenue North and Sixth Street as reported at last month’s meeting. After his discussion with the owner of the vehicles, he said the problems were mitigated by the owner without further incident.
Craig Voigt resubmitted his petition for vacation of streets and alleys in Sunrise Addition. City Attorney Travis Peterson said he would review the revised petition to ensure it met requirements and then work with Auditor George Ritzke to schedule a hearing on the matter. Notice of the hearing will be published in the Transcript.
There were no residents in attendance at the city’s tax equalization meeting, which was held at 7:30 p.m. Tax Equalization Director Kristy O’Connor reviewed details with the commission. She noted that the commercial lot sales to Casey’s Retail and Dollar General were much higher than the 2017 valuations, so some extra work was required on her part to ensure that the valuations all along the U.S. Hwy. 281 corridor were fair and within the tolerance allowed by the state. In 2017 there were 22 residential sales and three commercial sales within the city. Taxes on a total of $940,000 in value have been deferred to 2022 due to Renaissance Zone credits approved in 2017.
O’Connor also noted that city budgets are due August 10 this year, as the county is now required to send out estimated tax statements to all property owners August 30.
Commission President Calvin Packard and Commissioner Amy Ellingson opened the bids for the demolition of the dilapidated home located at 418 Second Avenue North, the property that the city recently acquired due to tax foreclosure. J & J Striping of Carrington was the low bidder to whom the city awarded the contract, as they bid $2,400.
