Kingwood Council approves first reading of garbage rate increase

KINGWOOD — Kingwood Council approved the first reading Tuesday on a garbage rate increase and set a date and rules for reopening city hall.

A public hearing is set for June 5 on the proposed rates before the final vote. The State Public Service Commission must also approve the increase.

In town residential customer rates will go from $15.90 per month to $17.49. Out of town residential customers currently pay $17.26 per month. They also will pay the 10% increase. Business customers, whose rates vary depending on pickups, will also see an increase, as will the transfer station, where rates are now $63.35 per ton.

Starting Monday, customers will be able to enter city hall again. Only one person will be allowed at a time and everyone must wear a mask, council decided. The drive through will be closed.

The transfer station will not be opened for Saturday hours at this time and rather than a spring cleanup, the town will offer garbage customers a free load at the transfer station during a fall cleanup.

Council also agreed it will continue live streaming meetings of city council and boards on Facebook, after meetings are reopened to the public. Mayor Jean Guillot said the number of people who watch has been surprising.

There has been no video to date for the meetings, and audio at Tuesday’s council meeting was unclear at times. The mayor said Wednesday that not all council members and city employees were using the microphones provided.

Councilman Mike Lipscomb suggested some equipment that might improve broadcast quality.

In other money matters, council voted to hire Phillip Nuce of Bennett & Dobbins PLLC to review city accounts and determine if some of the 12 accounts can be consolidated or closed.

Council also:

-set a special meeting for 11:30 a.m. Friday to hire a replacement for city clerk. Four people applied to fill the vacancy left by Kayla Huggins’ resignation. Council conducted interviews Tuesday.

Council will go into executive session Friday to deliberate but by law must vote in open session.

-were alerted by Councilman Dick Shaffer that not all dog owners are cleaning up after their pets, leaving feces on lawns and city property. Dog walking is banned in the city’s Maplewood Cemetery for that reason, Guillot noted.

Police Chief Charlie Haney said city ordinance doesn’t seem to address the problem. Council agreed to consider amending the ordinance when it receives the codified version of current ordinances being prepared by American Legal Services.

-was told that Main Street Kingwood has canceled the 2020 street fair.

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