Kingsford continues garbage collection talks
Flaminio elected new mayorBy NIKKI YOUNK
Staff Writer
KINGSFORD - The Kingsford City Council continues to look into a policy for collecting garbage on Horseshoe Lane, as members voted to table the issue until the proposed liability contract with the residents is modified.
Horseshoe Lane is a private road in Kingsford and Breitung Township that used to be serviced by Breitung Township garbage collection trucks. However, the township recently discontinued service to the nine homes on the Kingsford side of the street.
Horseshoe Lane resident Dennis Perpich was concerned about item two in the proposed contract that placed responsibility on the residents of Horseshoe Lane for any damage to city property or injuries to city workers incurred while collecting garbage.
"The way it reads now, the residents are liable for anything," he said. "If they (the city workers) come down my road at 40 miles per hour and plow into my trees then I'm liable for it?"
Council member Michael Flaminio explained that the city has insurance to cover any accidents that happen on public streets, but that policy does not extend to private roads within the city limits. Therefore, the liability clause is necessary to protect city workers.
After some discussion, the council was open to modifying the document to read that the residents of Horseshoe Lane are responsible "if damage or injury is not attributable to the negligence of the city employee."
Another concern that Perpich brought up was equality. He pointed out that the city already provides garbage pickup to other private roads like Evergreen Court, Mary's Way, and North River Hills Road.
Council member Jeff Sjoquist agreed, saying that the same policy should be in effect for all private roads in Kingsford.
However, Flaminio noted the other roads in question were built to the city's specifications, while Horseshoe Lane was contracted privately by the residents.
Perpich said that he was open to further discussion with the council after he talked to the other residents of Horseshoe Lane about the situation. The council then voted to table the issue until a later date.
In other action, the board:
-Approved the nomination of Flaminio as Kingsford's new mayor during the council's yearly reorganization. Previous mayor Sjoquist was nominated for re-election, but he declined the offer. The council subsequently voted Sjoquist to the position of mayor pro temp. Members also confirmed the reappointments of all city officials.
-Approved to set a special meeting to discuss the Breitung area storm sewer separation project on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 4:50 p.m. at Kingsford City Hall. Currently, the council does not have enough information regarding funding for the project. Members wanted to know if they could borrow directly from a bank instead of applying for a costly loan from the Rural Development Agency.
-Approved to readopt a traffic control order for a stop sign at the corner of Evergreen Court and Woodward Avenue.
-Approved posting the council's agenda on the city of Kingsford website on the Fridays prior to the regular meetings. The posted agenda will not necessarily be the final draft.
Nikki Younk's e-mail address is nyounk@ironmountaindailynews.com.
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Ironmountain49801
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12-02-08 11:36 PM
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I didnt realize how dangerous it is to collect garbage in a driveway, we have only been doing it for how many decades and now we have to write policies of liability? We need to grow up and get rid of the politics around here!
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Locality
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12-02-08 4:59 PM
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Is it really that difficult to take the garbage to the end of the road once/week?
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