43
New garbage bins expected in Youngstown in 6-8 weeks
YOUNGSTOWN
City residential garbage customers should expect new 96-gallon receptacles delivered to their homes in the next six to eight weeks.
City council unanimously approved legislation Wednesday to permit the board of control to borrow up to $1,075,000 to be repaid over the next 10 years for 21,500 new bins.
That’s $50 each with an interest rate of 3.5 percent. But city Finance Director David Bozanich said the interest rate probably will be 3 percent, and the city likely will be able to buy them for $48.50 each.
The city is expected to hire a new company for garbage collection next month with a contract taking effect May 1.
Its contract with Waste Management Inc. expires April 30 with neither side interested in renewing a deal, Bozanich said.
The receptacles should lower the cost of the garbage-collection contract by 15 percent, he said. On Tuesday, he said it would be a 10-percent savings, but increased the savings when re-examining the numbers.
Some members of council expressed concern that the new bins would be stolen.
“I don’t see people stealing these,” Mayor John A. McNally said. “I don’t want to get us bogged down in the little issues.”
But those whose receptacles are stolen could purchase replacements for $30.
When the new bins are delivered, residents will have the option to leave out their metal and plastic cans for the new garbage-collection company to pick up and throw away, said Abigail Beniston, the city’s code-enforcement and blight- remediation superintendent.
Extra bins can be purchased for $50. In addition to the garbage that can fit in the receptacles, city garbage customers will be permitted to have two other items – such as a couple of garbage bags or an old couch – put out with their trash for collection each week, said Charles Shasho, deputy director of public works.
Also Wednesday, council agreed to give the board of control authority to spend up to $2.5 million this year for demolition, site clearance, backfill, grading and asbestos abatement.
Funding for that work and the garbage bins are coming from an increase in the city’s environmental fund.
Council also voted to let the board of control hire a law firm and pay up to $50,000 to defend the city in a lawsuit filed by five Youngstown water customers over the legality of using water and wastewater funds for economic development.
The city plans to retain Calfee, Halter & Griswold, the Cleveland firm that issued an opinion in June 2011 that the policy was legal and that city council has “broad discretion” in determining how it uses water and wastewater surplus revenues.
Council also agreed Wednesday to let the board of control give $500,000 in water and wastewater funds to the Central YMCA of Youngstown, which is planning a $5 million renovation project. The project includes about $900,000 in water and wastewater improvements, according to the YMCA.