The people have spoken. Fayette residents have been complaining about the lack of yard waste pickup since the city switched trash companies beginning on June 1. Now it appears that yard waste service will return, albeit just one time per month and with an additional charge.

The Fayette City Council, during its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 27, voted to authorize the city’s attorney, Nathan Nickolaus, to re-negotiate the contract between the city and RTS Waste Services, LLC, which is still unsigned. The contract will increase the monthly charge by $2 from $13.50 to $15.50 to include yard waste service. It has not been determined what day each month yard waste will be collected. 

During a special meeting held May 18, the council voted to accept a bid from RTS for weekly trash pickup. The cost to customers increased by $2.20 per month, from $11.30 to $13.50 for the first year. At the time, the council opted for the lower bid from RTS that did not include yard waste removal to keep the price down. Dave Kruger, from RTS, told the council that he didn’t think many people utilized the service and that he provides yard waste pickup for only one of more than 25 communities the company serves.

The city maintains a yard-waste dumpsite for citizens at DC Rogers Lake. But getting the waste from yards to the dump is a problem for many. Several people said they do not have the means to haul brush and other yard debris to the dumpsite.

The issue came to a breaking point following severe storms that caused downed limbs and flash flooding throughout the area in June. Several citizens have appeared before the council to voice their displeasure with the lack of yard waste pickup.

The city’s contract with Waste Management, formerly Advanced Disposal, expired on May 31. That contract included weekly yard waste service, but collection was only made if debris was packed in special bags which could be purchased from the city. A new bid from Waste Management was considerably higher. The charge for weekly trash pickup with yard waste collection would cost customers $22.35 per month for the first year, with increases over the next two years.

When RTS begins yard waste collection, limbs must not exceed four feet in length and must be less than four inches thick. Limbs and sticks must be also be bundled.

Another issue that has caused a delay in contract finalization between the city and RTS was one that involved an exit clause. Nickolaus confirmed on Monday that details have been worked out between the two entities. Now rather than a bond to be held by RTS, which would be forfeited to the city in the event RTS terminates the contract early, the clause states that either side must give a 90-day notice before severing the contract.

Nickolaus said he hopes to present the finished contract to the city before its next council meeting on Tuesday, August 10. The Board of Aldermen meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Keller Building. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. They are open and the public is invited.