County hires Brazil as transfer station manager
Staff writer
As the clock ticks toward a county-owned and operated transfer station by Jan. 1, the Marion County Commission met Monday in a work session to iron out a few details.
First, they gave county zoning, planning administrator, and sanitarian David Brazil another hat to wear by appointing him part-time transfer station manager.
Brazil, who has done much of the research and groundwork in getting the transfer station project off the ground, suggested the job be set up first as an interim position.
"During that time we could get a job description," Brazil said. "For the interim, I wouldn't mind getting this thing running under the current job description and pay scale I have now."
Commissioner Leroy Wetta said he did not want the position to be an interim.
"I want people to know he's the manager right off," Wetta said.
Noting Brazil would need help with the additional responsibilities, commissioners also discussed hiring an assistant to deal with the mundane jobs.
Brazil noted it would be difficult to find an individual qualified to handle the secretarial and administrative duties involved with zoning and planning, as well as using the heavy equipment involved with transfer station duties.
"There's a big difference between pushing trash and finding a person to put out notices," Brazil said.
Brazil indicated he would like to keep the individual who serves as his planning and zoning assistant in that capacity, and find another individual who would take on both sanitation and transfer station duties.
Also, the commissioners said they wanted the change in transfer station ownership from KC Development to Marion County to be as "seamless as possible," and indicated they would hire two employees currently on the KC Development payroll.
Commissioner Howard Collett said he wanted the transition to be as smooth as possible. However, the county had a specific hiring policy which includes advertising open positions.
"I feel this is a special circumstance because this is an ongoing operation," Wetta replied. "I recommend we forego advertising in this circumstance."
County Clerk Carol Maggard said she would like the county attorney to determine whether the commission could forego the hiring policy regulations.
"We've got to have someone on board who knows what's going on," Commission Chairman Bob Hein added.
Commissioners also discussed contracting individuals to haul the waste to Topeka, which eliminates the purchase of special trailers and equipment, hiring employees, and paying benefits.
"I anticipate the county will have more volume."
Collett said. "We'll have more loads going to Topeka."
"Rural people paying the assessment have said they'll use it (transfer station)," Brazil agreed.
Wetta said his main concern with contracting drivers was a fear waste could build up.
"We'll have unpredictable peaks," Wetta said. "We'll need to get it moved in a timely manner."
Brazil said all trash has to be off the floor overnight.
Hein said several contractors have asked if they could make a presentation to the county regarding their services.
With time quickly becoming a factor, Maggard suggested putting the process up for bid rather than waiting for every interested individual to make a presentation.
Wetta directed Brazil to determine the total cost involved in waste hauling including equipment and personnel.
The commission also decided the transfer station will accept "white goods" — refrigerators, freezers and other appliances which use refrigerants and freon.
Collett said the county had an environmental responsibility to collect that freon and make sure it is handled properly, rather than requiring individuals to bring in appliances with the refrigerant already removed.
"I think we should take it out," Collett said. "We are assessing everybody."
"Otherwise, they'll (white goods) end up in a grader ditch," Wetta added.
Brazil said several local businesses have the ability to collect refrigerants and said he would gather information to put the service up for bid.
Other discussion
Commissioners determined the transfer station would be its own separate department and not incorporated into another existing county department.
They also set the hours for the transfer station as 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Commissioners indicated any needed equipment maintenance would be done by Road and Bridge department personnel.
They agreed a mower would be needed for regular yard maintenance.
Commissioners agreed strict rules would be in effect concerning the dumping of hazardous waste.
Members noted remodeling would need to be done at the transfer station including a new restroom area.
Commissioners also directed Brazil to develop a rough budget prior to Jan. 1, although Maggard said that would be difficult because the first distribution of the new solid waste assessment would not even be made until Jan. 20.
They also indicated a room would be available where good items like lawn mowers and scrap lumber would be stored for people to pick up.
"Essentially, it's a free garage sale," Brazil said. "It sits there 30 to 60 days before it's shipped out."
In a related matter, the commission decided to begin meetings at 8:30 a.m. rather than 9 a.m. — at least until the transfer station is up and running — in order to have adequate time to meet with Brazil.
The commission also changed the date of the bond sale closing from Dec. 23 to Dec. 19, according to a phone conversation with their lawyer.
Collett also noted the county's solid waste resolution needed to be clarified as it concerns household solid waste. He indicated the resolution should have stated residential solid waste would be assessed at a flat rate of $6.75 per month and not have included the word "unit." That wording gives the impression that commercial customers are being assessed more than residential, he said.
