Trash collection fees expected to go up

Because of the sharp increase in the cost of diesel fuel, Creston City Council and Waste Management will review the additional increase in trash pickup as stated in the contract between the two.

Waste Management representative Ammon Taylor told Creston City Council Tuesday the company has additional costs and notified the city the company will enact clauses allowing Waste Management to increase its fees for services.

Although an exact amount has not yet been determined by Waste Management and the city, the increase could be as much as $2.78 more a month.

“We are doing that in a way that demonstrates our care for the partnership with the city by making some concessions with the city beyond what we are contractually required to do,” he said.

One effort will be to waive the city’s regular, annual rate adjustment. Waste Management will not rely on the contract that allows the company to pass through the costs twice a year. If the company’s expenses reduce, the rate adjustment will be proportionately lowered.

When asked by the council how many other Waste Management towns are also being impacted by higher costs, Taylor said Waste Management reached to hundreds of towns across the country where it operates and 27 towns between Iowa and Missouri.

“Not fun for me, not fun for the cities but part of what is going with the economy right now,” he said.

Taylor said the contract states Waste Management can raise the rates based on uncontrolled increases in expenses.

“We have detailed those three things and they have been well received,” Taylor said about prior informative meetings with city officials.

Taylor said Creston city officials have been respected for their inquiries about the rate increase.

“We are doing the best we can to deal with the situation,” said at-large council member Richard Madison.

In other action, council approved the following street closures:

Creston Arts requested the use of the West Deport parking lot from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., June 11 for the Iowa Model A Car Club which is part of the Creston Arts June Gallery show.

The Creston Eagles Club will close their parking lot at Montgomery Street June 3 and 4 for the Iowa State Eagle Riders Rally.

Hot Air Brewing will close the 200 block of North Maple between Montgomery and Mills streets from noon to 9 p.m. April 16 for food and a dance; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 28 for cornhole tournament; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27 for wrestling and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 for Octoberfest.

Creston Crush Cancer committee will close Stone Street to McKinley Street to the historical complex from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for an event; Adams Street from McKinley to Cottonwood; Lake Shore Drive, Spillway Road, Cottonwood from Adams to Prairie; Prairie Street from Cottonwood to the walking trail from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. for a 5k run and walk.