GOODRICH — The Goodrich City Council met in the community center Thursday for their monthly meeting of November to discuss trash management prices, the wastewater ponds, and holiday celebrations.
Customers will now be charged $28 per month for waste collection. ProStar Waste recently raised prices for garbage collection for the first time in around five years. Since that time, they have charged the city over $5,100 per month.
The city has lost money by not charging customers enough. Goodrich had set customer monthly rate at $22.08, while ProStar has charged the city $25.58 per customer.
There’s also an extra charge of $3 for containers that are overfilled and another for extra containers.
“It is something we just have to do,” Goodrich Mayor Kelly Nelson said of the increase.
Nelson said the city should have their audit by the end of the month. Once it has been completed, the audit can be taken to a loan officer, and the city can begin the process for dredging the wastewater ponds. The cost for dredging should be determined in the next two weeks.
The city has charged the exact cost of sewer pumps to customers. Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Wright felt council should discuss a change in price next month for those on a payment plan. He also felt council should be informed for payment agreements on such items.
Nelson said she and the owner of Ponderosa RV Park discussed property lines, where the city and park property meet. The RV park representatives discussed a fence or a playground that could be placed where the two properties meet. Another survey will be conducted and there is the possibility of the RV park donating some of the land to the city. Council will receive an update next month.
The council approved vacation time for city secretary Felicia Garrett, where an alderman or the mayor is likely to fill her place while out of the office. Council members cannot be paid, but can volunteer as city secretary.
Only 50 people showed to the city’s Halloween festival, where there are normally over 100. Nelson said holding the event on Halloween night may have been a mistake. Council members pointed out other popular events from that Friday night, keeping attendance low.
Flyers are now out for the Christmas celebration that will be held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Five vendors have signed on to be part of the celebration, and a few have already committed to place floats in the parade. A barbecue truck will be in attendance, as well as someone making hamburgers and hot dogs. Another vendor will sell T-shirts, while Indian tacos are another possibility.
