By Blythe Alspaugh
TIPP CITY — A resolution to move forward with the current bid for trash pick-up was tabled by Tipp City Council at Monday’s meeting.
The decision to table the resolution came after both council members and citizens highlighted concerns about the removal of alleyway pick-up and how this would impact some residents in the community. Tipp City resident Marilyn Moore emphasized the challenges this would present for seniors in the city, especially those who lived in homes that have hills in front of their homes or would have to pull trash cans through multiple feet of snow in the winter.
“We’re all at a loss on how we’re going to drag our trash cans through our grass, through our fenced-in yards, through snow, through ice. If this is going to have to happen, we need help and guidance, please,” Moore said.
The proposed resolution would authorize City Manager Tim Eggleston to enter into a five-year contract with Republic Services, Inc. for collection and disposal of trash, recycling and yard waste that would begin Oct. 1, 2022 and go through Sept. 30, 2027. Rumpke had also placed a bid for the same contract, which does not include alleyway trash pick-up, and the Republic build was chosen due to costing the city less. According to Eggleston, the reason why alleyway trash pick-up was not included in the new contract was because of concerns of continued damage done by the large trucks trying to drive through narrow alleyways.
Councilman Greg Enslen and Council President Kathryn Huffman echoed citizen concerns for those who previously utilized alleyway trash pick-up. Huffman had asked about alternative options to help those who would struggle with curb trash pick-up during a study session held prior to the meeting, and emphasized that they needed to consider all residents in Tipp City when making a decision on the contract.
“We haven’t heard from Republic about their willingness to accommodate some of the people that this contract will affect the most, and that is the people using the alleyway pick-up right now — that is a concern of mine. The other is that we haven’t given notice to people to accommodate that change,” Huffman said.
The resolution was tabled in a 6-0 vote.
Additionally, an ordinance that is companion legislation to the resolution and was introduced during the meeting was tabled in a 6-0 vote. The ordinance was to amend the refuse collection fee reflecting the bid summary by Republic Services, Inc.
Council unanimously approved the following at Monday’s meeting:
• A resolution authorizing Eggleston to enter into a contract with Civica CMI for the provision of Income Tax Accounting Software;
• A resolution authorizing Eggleston to apply for grant funding for the North Fourth and North Fifth Street water line replacement project; and
• A motion to set Aug. 15, 2022 as the public hearing date for the rezoning of the Arbogast annexation.
The next meeting of Tipp City Council will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1 with a study session to begin at 6 p.m.
