Kelly's Refuse owner asks Owosso to drop single-hauler trash plan

The owner of Kelly's Refuse asked the Owosso City Council on Sept. 8 to leave the city's trash business to the haulers already working here. According to the approved minutes of that meeting, Kelly Cushman told council members he has been a business owner in Owosso for close to 40 years and that local haulers could offer curbside recycling themselves, so the city would not have to move to a single hauler. He said he did not believe enough people took part in the study conducted by Dr. Krantz to support an informed decision.

The Current reported that on Aug. 17 the council directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance authorizing one trash hauler citywide. No ordinance was voted on Sept. 8, and the minutes record no council action on the subject.

Two residents backed Cushman during public comment. Holly Jo Edwards, of 1313 N. Gould St., said it would be sad to have the council put a local business out of business and asked members to reconsider; she said there are people in the community who cannot afford trash service each month and asked what they will do. Mike Cline, of 204 Stratford Drive, asked whether the city would make any money by switching to a single hauler. Later in the meeting, Edwards asked whether citizens could vote on recycling.

Councilmember Rachel Osmer responded in council comments that state mandates are hard and put council members in a tough spot, and that curbside recycling is not a choice, according to the minutes.

Osmer also put a number on the city's other contested item: the city had to write off $15,000 in unpaid parking tickets. She said the council had taken up towing before and was persuaded by residents to use the honor system instead, and that the honor system has not worked. Mayor Robert J. Teich, Jr. said the council discussed towing about a year ago, listened to residents and agreed not to institute it, but said it would revisit the topic — and that this is that reexamination. On the consent agenda, the council conducted a first reading of a proposed Sec. 33-54 allowing police to order a vehicle towed when more than four parking tickets on the same license plate have gone unpaid for more than 30 days, and set a public hearing for Sept. 21. Jeff Turner, of 204 Oakwood Avenue, and Gil Humphries, of 1202 S. Chipman St., who introduced himself as a candidate for City Council, both spoke in favor of consequences for repeat violations. Cline warned the city to wait until the next council is seated.

City Manager Nathan Henne told the council the Fifth Third building project should be set to go by January, and said the Downtown Historic District Commission would take up later in September whether that timeline should be extended. Joseph Moore, of 304 Michigan Avenue, asked what could be done about weeds growing between storm drain grates and the pavement near his property; Utilities Director Ryan Suchanek said the city does not have a good answer, because the state frowns on using Round-up around storm drains where water goes directly into the river.

The consent agenda passed 6-0, with Councilmembers Emily Olson, Janae Fear, Osmer and Carl Ludington, Mayor Pro-Tem Jerome Haber and Teich voting yes. Councilmember Christopher Owens was absent. It carried a $46,280 tree removal contract with Ronald's Tree Service LLC of Linden plus an $18,000 contingency, for up to $64,280; $22,491.64 in roofing materials from Home Depot for the DPW garage, plus a $2,500 contingency; the $142,766 road salt purchase from Detroit Salt Company; an estimated $21,395.52 in bulk carbon dioxide for drinking water treatment from Nippon Sanso Matheson; street closures for the Sept. 18 Art Walk; and new bank signatories at Huntington Bank. The council then voted 6-0 to adopt a whistleblower and non-retaliation policy, effective that night. Henne said the city had not had one, and that more grant programs are requiring similar policies to qualify for funding.

Ludington entered a notice of pecuniary interest on the record, as required by the city charter, for $1,023.49 in August work by Ludington Electric, Inc., which he owns. The council approved entering it 6-0. The same meeting confirmed $116,107 in special assessments for three demolitions, which The Current reported separately.

What happens next: the minutes were approved at the council's Sept. 21 meeting, where the towing public hearing and the Ludington Electric bills were also scheduled; the outcome of that hearing is not in this document. The Downtown Historic District Commission's decision on the Fifth Third building timeline was expected in September. Eight seats remain open on city boards and commissions, including three on the Planning Commission.