Soddy Daisy City
Manager Janice Cagle on Thursday night gave the results of the bid process for the city garbage service. City residents came to the meeting in force to support Waste Connections, the company that currently has the contract and has had for the past 16 years. Five people spoke on behalf of continuing service with that company, due to what was described as personal customer service, with the driver knowing the neighbors by name. Several people noted that he is aware if a resident has trouble moving their garbage cans, and will always take them back to the house.
Ethan Clark, a three-year-old child, was brought by his mother to tell the commissioners that his favorite day was the one when the garbage truck and Jason came to his house. A neighbor said she sees neighborhood children line up to speak to him.
All the praise did not win the bid for Waste Connections. City Manager Janice Cagle said the difference in the low bid from Priority Waste and the high bid from Waste Connections amounted to a $31,016 markup for the three years of the contract. A motion to accept the low bid from Priority Waste at $7.30 per household based on a three-year contract was the unanimous winner.
Priority Waste also won the bid for the annual dumpster based on a three-year contract, for the amount of $3,600.
Ms. Cagle said bids were also requested for curbside recycling. The lowest cost came in at $5 per household per pick up, she said. The city would have to absorb that amount and it is just too costly to consider at this time.
Mayor Rick Nunley told the disappointed citizens that “the bar has been raised on the garbage service.” However, it all boils down to dollars and cents, he said. The crowd was told that the commissioners’ jobs were to spend the taxpayers’ money wisely.
Commissioner Gene Shipley told the room full of residents that the current commissioners have decided to clean up the city by hiring a full-time codes enforcer. He has the authority to condemn property or to issue fines up to $50 per day for a violation. Mr. Shipley said it is not fair to neighbors when codes are not enforced. Derelict houses are planned for demolition which he said should help eliminate drug problems by getting rid of the houses used by dealers. He asked for people to call city hall if unsightly conditions are seen, and he said that the commissioners will stick behind this enforcer.
Soddy Daisy Vice Mayor Patti Skates was honored recently by the Chattanooga Bar Association at the annual Law Day meeting. City Attorney Sam Elliott announced at the Soddy Daisy commission meeting, that Ms. Skates was presented with the Liberty Bell Award. This is given each year to one person that is not a lawyer or judge, who fosters respect for the rule of law. She taught civics in Red Bank for many years and is currently teaching at Northwest Georgia College.
Ms. Skates said that she was honored to be doing what she loved. She said she does not believe that she stands up to the previous recipients of the award and was humbled to be bestowed the honor.
The next regular meeting of the Soddy Daisy commission is planned for May 21 at 7 p.m.