(Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — An ordinance change that will set the stage for automated side-load trash collections in Iron Mountain will likely be considered Nov. 7, with a public hearing to be scheduled if accepted.

The ordinance will enable the city to finalize a contract with GFL Environmental USA, which took over trash pickups when it acquired Great American Environmental Services of Kingsford a little more than a year ago.

The city council on Monday directed attorney Gerry Pirkola to draft the ordinance, which will be contingent on an agreement with GFL.

The company had said in July that a switch to automated collection would come with no increased cost in the final years of the existing contract, which runs through Sept. 14, 2024. Also, the contract could be extended three years, through Sept. 14, 2027, with a consumer price index increase of 4% annually. The only additional charge would be if a resident needs an extra cart, which would have a price of $1.50 per cart per month.

The plan is to provide each household with a 95-gallon wheeled cart. Most collections will be moved from alleys to the street, but GFL will do alley pickups in designated areas where topography is an issue.

The automated trucks are equipped with a lifting device on the curbside. The operator is able to control the lifting, emptying and return of a cart without ever leaving the cab. The carts are designed to be maneuverable and easy to roll.

City Manager Jordan Stanchina said Monday he expects some individual problems will have to be addressed once the new system is introduced,

Council member Ken Clawson asked if it might be better to wait until spring to make a switch, but the consensus of the rest of the council was to go forward now.

Grant assistance to help add a recycling component will also be explored.