Rates for Sylvania trash collection not to rise in 2013

12/3/2012

Sylvania city residents won't see a rate increase for trash collections in 2013. But, residents next year will receive much larger carts for their recyclables, which will be picked up every two weeks, instead of weekly.

Garbage pick-up will continue to be a weekly service.

The Sylvania City Council today voted unanimously to approve a three-year extension with Allied Waste Systems, whose current contract expires Aug. 31. In return, the waste haulers agreed not to raise rates in 2013.

Mayor Craig Stough said switching to larger recycling carts and having less frequent pick-ups save money and keep customer costs down.

According to the new agreement, Allied Waste will begin notifying customers that their current 18-gallon recycling bins will be replaced with either 65-, or 96-gallon carts. Residents will have an opportunity to choose which size they prefer, an Allied Waste official told council.

The company will begin delivering the new carts in late February or early March.

Most customers pay about $128 annually for garbage collection services, city officials said.

In other council news today:

- The city will pay a consultant firm up to $18,000 per year to help the city apply for grants to revitalize downtown.

Council voted 6-1 to approved the contract with Poggemeyer Design Group, of Bowling Green.

The design firm has been helping Sylvania with the preparation of a Community Development Block Grant application and a downtown plan.

Councilman Doug Haynam, said he voted against the contract because "I don't think it's necessary."

Council Mark Luetke said Poggemeyer's help with grants is necessary because,  "with the shrinking size of the city's staff this is the only way we're going to do it."

- Council voted unanimously to pay $202,645 for five new vehicles for the city’s police department.

Funds from the city’s capital improvement fund will be used to purchase the new police vehicles, said Mr. Stough. The new vehicles include three 2013 Ford Interceptor Sedans and two 2013 Ford Interceptor Utility SUVs.

The $202,645 includes the cost of installing special features in the vehicles, including window barriers, a weapons mount, vehicle decals, an in-car camera, lights, trunk organizers and push bumpers, 

The cost includes the trade-in of two used police vehicles, including one 2003 Dodge Intrepid and a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria.