Holts Summit residents had a chance Monday to discuss a new trash service contract renewal with Allied Waste, a stormwater management program and funding for a proposed new activities center.
The Board of Aldermen opened its May meeting with a public hearing on the issues.
According to City Administrator Brian Crane, Holts mmit has had issues with trash service for years. In the past, there have been problems with illegal dumping, litter disposal and insufficient carts to hold trash.
An Allied Waste representative recommended a more uniform, automated service to combat the problem. Allied would provide households with a trash cart for residents' use. The representative said the automated service means cost savings, higher service level, improved aesthetics and less pollution.
According to Crane, residents would pay around $13.50 per month for trash services or $16.50 per month for trash and recycling services. The recycling fee would be optional, and would only be implemented if at least 600 residents participated. These costs include projected fuel costs and a franchise fee to cover street maintenance and other various city needs.
On a stormwater management program, Christina Luebbert of Luebbert Engineering discussed past city goals as well as plans to improve present conditions.
Funding plans for a proposed activities center included suggestions of user fees through memberships, a capital campaign through donations and a property tax through real and personal property.
Aldermen approved an ordinance to allow a beer garden during the 2014 Fireworks Festival. "If we're going to do it, let's do it right," Mayor Lucas Fitzpatrick said. "We're going to take that step and see if it's right or not."
Another ordinance was passed to execute a contract between Holts Summit and Septagon Construction Company Inc. to build a municipal center and sallyport.
The board also approved ordinances to construct a wastewater system, improve sidewalks, execute an easement agreement with Ameren Missouri for an underground electric service and implement upgrades to the radio system to help the Callaway County Emergency Operations Center were passed unanimously.