Council Rejects Bids to Privatize Refuse Collection

For HNN by Art Harvath


Huntington city council defeated a proposal Monday to authorize and encourage the mayor to solicit bids for the privatization of the city refuse collection. There was a long debate from council and the audience before the 4-7 vote, with most of the audience speaking against the action. Council members Cal Kent, Charlie Thompson, Dick Thompson and Mary Neely voted for the proposal. A proposal of council is non-binding on the mayor, so even had council voted their approval, Huntington mayor David Felinton would not be bound by the vote. Felinton told the council he was against the proposal.

Kent and Neely pointed out that the proposal was not an approval of private refuse collection, but only a step to determine if any private haulers are interested in bidding on the job.

Councilman Tom McCallister reminded the council that at a Steelworkers Local 40 meeting before the last elections, several members of council said that they would not support privatization of city refuse collection.

Charlie Thompson said at Friday’s work session that BFI could provide the service for $8-9 per household per month. The city currently charges $15 per month.

The 1st reading of an ordinance to designate 3rd avenue between 16th street and the C&O tracks as Herd Avenue caused some debate. The last city council defeated a proposal to rename a street after Carter G. Woodson, an educator of international acclaim. City resident Raben Crisel told the council if they designate 3rd avenue as Herd Avenue, then “they should do the same for Dr. Woodson.” In other council action:

*2nd reading of an ordinance that would allow police officers and certain fire department employees to drive their city vehicles to and from work was withdrawn.

*Council approved an ordinance rezoning property located at 6 Bayberry Drive to R-1 Single Family.

*Approved an ordinance vacating, closing and abandoning utility easements and rights of entry over, along, through, and under an unnamed alley extending from 2nd ave. to 2 ˝ alley, located between 20th and 21st streets. This would allow an existing business to connect two of their buildings.

*1st reading of two ordinances that approves the purchase of police cruisers and dump trucks. Tom McCallister, sponsor of the ordinances, told council that the purchases could be funded by the recently enacted $1 per week Service Fee on anyone working within the city limits. The fee is estimated to bring in $900,000. According to the Fee ordinance, any money collected must be spent on police and street service.

*A resolution authorizing the mayor to advertise and solicit bids for the sale of City Hall Annex Building was postponed until the first meeting in November.

*A resolution requiring a record of all council meetings passed unanimously. This will include work sessions, or anytime a quorum of council is present.

*A resolution of council supporting a Tri-State International Airport died for lack of a second.

*A resolution that would bring the part of Huntington located in Wayne County into Cabell County failed for a lack of a second. It was put on the agenda to allow that segment of the city to vote for or against casino gambling in the November elections.

*Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting a construction and demolition landfill at Deitz Hollow.