Trash and trails part of Van Buren council meeting

story by Marla Cantrell
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The dirty business of trash pickup took center stage at Monday’s (May 17) city council meeting in Van Buren.

Mayor Bob Freeman spoke bluntly to Roll Off Service general manager Randy Pounders about the problems with residential trash pickup, including half-emptied trash cans and recyclables being thrown in with other debris.

“I’ve had several conversations with municipal utilities that have been recurring,” Freeman said. ”Whether it be trash not being picked up, to a container being left, to trash that was on the truck falling off the truck.”

Freeman said during Friday’s downpour, trash washed into the drainage system.  The city has used Roll Off Service, a Lowell-based company, since January.

Pounders took responsibility for the issues and promised to resolve them.

“Quite frankly, I’m disappointed with what we’ve done and that’s why I’m here addressing the council.” Pounders said. “We take the problem seriously and we will correct it going forward.”

In an odd twist, John Pope, director of Keep Van Buren Beautiful, addressed the council with complaints of his own. But instead of leaving the problem there, Pope offered to meet with Roll Off Service.

“There’s no difference between talking to a city or a county, or talking to management or employees,” Pope said. “Whatever it is that you’re doing, I can help you do it better.”

In other business, alderman approved a measure to seek an 80/20 Federal Recreational Trails grant to build a trail that would begin at the parking area near the historic Drennen-Scott House. The trail around the historic house, which should open this fall, would lead to a wooded area behind the home.

The Van Buren Advertising and Promotions Commission has agreed to pay the 20% local match, if the grant is received.

A lease agreement between Floating Rock LLC and the city was also approved. The company, headed by Noah Steffy, will operate three paddle boats at Lake Cap Bedell at Van Buren’s city park, rent fishing equipment and sell bottled drinks and snacks. He expects to open at the first of June. The city will receive 15% of gross receipts. Steffy operates a similar operation at Carol Ann Cross Park in Fort Smith.

When asked about the progress on the new Van Buren $3.4 million library on Main and 15th Street, Freeman said the city is still in limbo. Construction was 85% complete when a fire stopped work in September 2008. The general contractor, Bossler Construction out of Springdale, then went out of business. There has been a series of negotiations since then. The bonding company, Traveler’s Insurance, is now reviewing bids to complete the remaining 15% of work needed to open the 19,000-square-foot building.