Lansing City Council addresses trash collection problems, pool fundraiser, Main Street Iowa grant application and city projects

by Joshua Sharpe

Recurring issues with Lansing’s contracted residential garbage collection service were addressed during the Monday, August 17 Lansing City Council meeting. Officials discussed the frequency of missed Tuesday pick-ups, resident complaints, and the additional responsibilities placed on city employees when collections are not completed. In some instances, Street Department employees have collected garbage that was not picked up by the contractor, while the City Clerk’s Office has dedicated time to handling complaints and communicating with the service provider.

Mayor Mike Verdon referenced the city’s existing collection agreement and outlined provisions that are available in cases of missed pick-ups, including the city’s authority to arrange for necessary work and to recover the associated costs. Council members discussed the need for more thorough documentation of missed collections and the time municipal employees spend addressing these issues.

Verdon clarified that the discussion was intended as an administrative matter rather than a formal council action. Council members emphasized the importance of residents reporting missed collections to help the city maintain accurate records of service disruptions. Following the meeting, Verdon issued a written statement August 21 detailing how residents can report missed collections and outlining the city’s response plan starting September 1.

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