County recycling grant application put on hold
Staff reporter
Marion County Commissioners voted not to allow a grant application to be made for a recycling program.
David Brazil, county zoning administrator, sanitarian, and transfer station manager, told the commission a grant was available for equipment from the Solid Waste Management Competitive Plan Implementation Grant program, sponsored by the KDHE bureau of waste management.
State statute does not allow the solid waste assessment fee to be used to fund recycling, reported Brazil. He wants to seek a change in the statute and has contacted Jim Kaup, the county's solid waste attorney.
Leroy Wetta, commission chairman, asked Brazil the affect county recycling would have on Peabody's program.
"They have curbside recycling for everything," said Wetta. "This grant would be just for paper recycling."
Brazil answered the recycling program he is recommending is not designed to "take over" another community's recycling program but to offer recycling to those communities without a program.
"My goal is to see recycling in every city in the county," said Brazil, "not just in one or two."
Wetta added initially he was opposed to recycling in Peabody but "I've changed my tune a little bit. It has to be curbside and mandatory. We need to do this right."
Brazil said one-third of the waste stream is recyclable paper.
"Grant funds would provide for a truck for hauling commercial cardboard," said Brazil. "I don't want to spend 40 hours applying for a grant if money isn't in the general fund and the commission doesn't support it."
With that, Wetta made the motion to not pursue the grant with Bob Hein, commissioner, seconding the motion. Collett voted against the motion saying he would rather table the project.
"I know we're having a budget crunch," said Collett, "but I feel recycling is important. The more we can cut back on tipping and trucking fees, the sooner we can pay off the bonds for the transfer station."
Commissioners approved the purchase of a new walking floor trailer for the transfer station.
Currently, there are two used trailers in use and a third one is needed to either rotate in with the other two or be used as a back-up.
Brazil presented warranty information, as instructed last week by the commission, regarding the two bids.
The two companies that submitted bids were J and J Truck Body, located in Pennsylvania, and Trailers and Wilkins Truck Company, located in Stockton.
Wilkins submitted a bid on a used trailer, with a 30-day warranty, for $34,900.
A new trailer from Wilkins is $45,900 with a one-year warranty. J and J Truck Body's bid was $43,760.
Commissioners and Brazil discussed concerns regarding a used trailer and purchasing a trailer from Pennsylvania.
The bid for a new trailer from Wilkins was approved.
The two used trailers need to be refurbished. An estimated cost for the maintenance work is $6,500 per trailer. Commission instructed Brazil to get one trailer refurbished for now. Brazil will discuss the needs for the second trailer at a later date.
Brazil also was instructed to update the existing equipment located in the transfer station to be used for maintenance purposes. Brazil will pursue bids and report findings to the commission.
A copy of the rough draft for the county's new zoning regulations were distributed to the commission.
Collett asked if the regulations followed the county's comprehensive plan. Brazil answered they did.
Brazil noted changes from the existing zoning regulations in the agricultural district, allowing five-acre parcels.
Brazil and the planning commission are also considering including in the regulations, penalties for non-compliance, and building codes in areas of urban influence.
Three resolutions were adopted by the commission, as approved and recommended by the Marion County Planning Commission.
Zoning changes from agricultural to rural residential for parcels owned by Stephen Klenda, Jonas Giesbrecht, and Clarence Delk were approved.
