Lansing City Council approves new contract for trash collection, fee structure for special meetings and application for REDLG funding
by Joshua Sharpe
The Lansing City Council convened Monday, December 2 to discuss a variety of topics. Among the agenda items were trash collection contracts, policy updates, infrastructure improvements, and administrative software challenges.
TRASH BIDS
The council reviewed bids for trash collection services and approved a new contract with Town and Country Sanitation. Mayor Mike Verdon outlined the terms, emphasizing affordability. The contract is for five years, with a rate of $15.86 per home per month for the first two years. For the following three years, 2027, 2028, and 2029, the contract includes an annual rate increase of 2.5%. The service will provide each household with either a 65-gallon or a 95-gallon garbage tote. However, accessibility concerns were raised during the discussion regarding narrow streets, as Verdon acknowledged, “Some streets have pretty limited access for drive-up curb service.” Ultimately, the council approved the lowest bid. As Verdon stated, “We’re compelled, where we think things are all equal, to accept the lowest bid.”
FEE STRUCTURE FOR SPECIAL MEETINGS
The council engaged in a discussion regarding the implementation of a fee structure for special meetings to cover associated costs, including council member compensation and publication fees. Mayor Verdon detailed the proposal: “Council members are paid $25 per meeting. This fee is intended to cover the cost of convening the council, as well as the publication expenses.” Council member Mike Manning emphasized the necessity of communicating these costs to residents, asserting, “If residents request special meetings, they need to be informed that this will incur expenses.” The resolution was unanimously approved.
SEATBELT POLICY
The council adopted a new seatbelt policy that mandates all City employees to use seatbelts and shoulder restraints when operating City vehicles or equipment. Mayor Verdon explained the rationale behind the policy, stating, “This is at the request of the Iowa Municipalities Workers’ Compensation Association. It specifies that all employees of the City of Lansing will wear seatbelts when they are in all City vehicles equipped with seatbelts.”
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