Burn site policy draws questions to commissions
$2 per-day fee to be charged to residents
When Mary Olson met with Marion City Commission Jan. 2, she emphasized that she was sympathetic with their need to make tough decisions. After all, before she moved to Marion, she served on a city council herself.
Nevertheless, she expressed concern about the city's policy regarding the tree dump.
"I know what you're going through, but I'm not sure I'm willing to pay six dollars if it takes me three days to handle my leaves," she said.
The city is operating under a permanent 30-day notice of revocation of its burn site permit. Officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment say too many inspections have found inappropriate materials in the burn area, which could affect air quality.
Only untreated lumber and limbs are allowed in the burn area. Lawn and garden waste is allowed at an adjacent compost site. A large sign explains what is acceptable.
However, inspectors routinely found garbage, construction materials, and other waste in the burn pile.
KDHE is allowing the city to maintain the burn area because of its plan to lock the gates to the site except when an attendant is present.
"A follow-up inspection will be conducted in the near future, and the Department will continue to conduct compliance inspections on a routine basis," KDHE officials said in a Dec. 21 letter. "In the case of continued non-compliance, this letter shall be considered 30-day notice of revocation."
No requirement
Administrator Dennis Nichols said the burn site is needed for city projects. Opening it to the public is strictly a service.
"It's important for city operations but legally it doesn't have to be provided to anyone," he said.
The city plans to open the burn site to the public from 1-6 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, from March to November. Jim Helfer, rural Marion, has been hired to inspect each load arriving at site when it is open.
In addition, there will be a $2 per-day charge for any city resident using the site, and $3 per day for any non-resident. This is per day, not per load.
The charge is to help offset the wage cost, since an attendant was not included in the 2002 budget. It is common for cities having gated burn sites to charge fees, Nichols said.
At other times, those needing to use the burn site can come to the city office, have the load inspected, pay the fee, and check out a key to gain access.
Olson asked about unexpected needs, such as following a windstorm or ice storm.
In such cases, city crews gather limbs residents place at the curb or alley, superintendent Harvey Sanders said. The burn site might be opened longer hours or for free if a great deal of material was expected, Nichols said, but an attendant would be required to inspect each load.
Potential problems
Olson said limiting use of the burn site might increase illegal dumping elsewhere. It also posed a problem for people who can't haul materials on specified days, or can't haul more than a load a day.
"I suspect that person (the attendant) is going to get a lot of grief," she said.
Also, requiring city residents to pay isn't fair, since they are taxed already to provide the site, she said.
Plus, the city has an ordinance prohibiting residents from dumping lawn trimmings or leaves in the gutter. Will cutting back the burn site hours increase those problems?
"People who put leaves in the gutter probably will do so anyway," Nichols said.
Commissioners emphasized that they want to hear suggestions and are willing to modify their policy. However, 24-hour access is a thing of the past.
Commissioner Bud Pierce noted that one time he was at the tree dump with Helfer, who was "pretty hot" when he saw some trash at the site.
"He said he wished he would be here because he would take care of it, and now we have him," Pierce said.
Trash service
Observer Chris Costello asked if the city had considered cost savings by reverting to trash service one day a week, instead of two days.
Superintendent Marty Fredrickson said such a change wouldn't save much time because the volume wouldn't decrease.
Nichols said he wasn't opposed to a change and would continue to review it.
Pierce said twice-a-week pickup was recommended 30 years ago, when he served on a committee that sought advice from other towns. Previously, the city had a town dump.
Pierce said they were told to offer collection two times a week and to provide trash bags. On request, the city provides two large rolls of bags per year to residents.
"As far as I know, it's worked pretty good," he said.
He suggested the city provide residents with containers if goes to weekly collection. Otherwise, full garbage bags either will be raided by stray animals or have to remain inside the home.
In a related matter, solid waste disposal figures were up for 2001 compared to the previous year.
A total of 1,459.09 tons were delivered to the transfer station by the city in 2001. About 1,418 tons were delivered in 2000.
This past year, tons by month were January, 114.86; February, 99.08; March, 122.66; April, 167.06; May, 135.5; June, 121.53; July, 124.86; August, 126.65; September, 90.5; October, 136.11; November, 113.35; and December, 106.93.
In other reports:
A feasibility study on whether the area could support a licensed assisted living center begins this week. The city is funding the study.
Bids for industrial park infrastructure will be opened Thursday.
It was reported that any street repairs made during the winter will be filled in with rock. Permanent concrete or asphalt patches will be poured in the late spring or summer.
Checks totaling $21,565 to pay bills and $20,992 for payroll were approved.
Licenses approved for 2002 included a cereal-malt beverage license for Ampride, plumbing license for Dale's Plumbing Service, Hutchinson, and Class B occupation license for VFW Post No. 6958.
Pierce led the meeting in the absence of Mayor Eloise Mueller.
