Council discusses opening of compost site

City Council
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

The City of Monticello’s compost and yard waste site could soon open for business. 

The city council heard an update on the project during the Sept. 3 meeting. 

Public Works Director Nick Kahler said Alliant Energy has been on scene to hook up the meters for the lights. 

“Both lights are up on the poles,” said Kahler. 

There will be one light near the entrance and one light near the rear of the property where residents are instructed to dump their yard waste. 

ITS (Innovative Technology Solutions) has also installed one of the security camera systems. 

Kahler and City Administrator Doug Herman met with the Heiar Fencing company on fence installation. 

“The back woven-wire fence between the compost site and Behrends (Crushed Stone) is up,” reported Kahler. “The other chain-link fence is supposed to go in this week. 

“We’re hoping maybe next week we can start opening the site up and dumping our yard waste out there, as people can bring stuff out as they want,” added Kahler. 

Council member Dave Goedken inquired as to the hours of the site. Goedken felt there should be enforced hours from sun up to sun down. 

The question of hours of operation was an in-depth discussion. 

Herman admitted that after contacting neighboring communities who operate compost sites, he considered imposing hours. However, that job requires someone to keep the site open and close it at the end of the day. 

“We will have a surveillance system placed with lighting,” Herman explained. He said there will be a sign at the entrance noting the use of surveillance. 

“With a 24-hour operation, especially in the nice months,” added Herman, “people will work (outside) late after work or on the weekends. They’ll be able to get in and out of the site when they want to without calling the city to let them in.” 

Herman suggested perhaps having the site open 24/7 to begin with. 

“If it’s noted that it’s under surveillance,” said Goedken, “there’s no reason it can’t be open from sun up to sun down without a gate. I don’t think we should have the liability of people being in there after dark.” 

Goedken said those hours provide people with plenty of time to deliver their yard waste no matter the time of year. 

To that, Herman asked Goedken who should be responsible for locking the gate, then, each night. 

“I don’t see why we’d have to close the gate if we have a camera there,” answered Goedken. “If they go in after hours, there would be a fine.” 

Herman said the council would need to iron out the enforcement side of the project. 

“I say we open 24 hours,” Mayor Brian Wolken suggested. “If we have to, we can enforce the hours later.” 

“We could always restrict it,” added Council member Tom Yeoman. 

In terms of public use, Yeoman questioned who would have access to the compost site: city residents only? Commercial lawn and yard businesses? 

“Taxpayers should not be paying for commercial use,” stressed Goedken. “It should be a separate fee.” 

Herman said the council could ban commercial business use if they wanted to. 

“You could just say no commercial waste, period,” offered Herman. “Or you could require they be permitted; they’d need to buy an annual permit or pay so much a month.” He said charging by the load would require someone on site during operational hours. 

Also, in terms of what would be accepted inside the compost site: leaves, branches, garden waste, grass clippings, shrubs. 

What is not acceptable: animal waste, food waste, containers. 

The city has yet to enter into a contract with T&W Grinding & Compost Service. Herman said it would be an annual contract in the neighborhood of $25,000. T&W would do the grinding and turning of the mulch material. Herman said if the council wishes to enter into the contract at the beginning of the new year, the city could perhaps pay a one-time fee to have T&W grind material this fall once the site opens. 

“I’m sure we’ll have flexibility with the county and DNR as we initially open,” Herman said. He added that it would take a while to order and install a sign. 

Between now and the next council meeting (Sept. 16), Herman urged the council to consider hours of operation “We’ll close the gate at dark, at least until the final decision is made,” Herman said.

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