Fernley council to consider mandatory garbage service

The Fernley City Council will consider a request to implement mandatory garbage service for homes and businesses within city limits at its meeting Wednesday.

Planning Commissioner Bill Clegg requested the item be included on tonight's agenda and said it's time for Fernley to take a stand.

"I feel for the health and welfare of the community, the time has come to ask ourselves the question: Do we want to move forward or not?" Clegg said.

The city is in a better position to bargain with Waste Management for services and costs involved with regular garbage pickup, Clegg said. The costs associated with garbage pickup are steep and even steeper to operate a landfill - all the more reason to contract with Waste Management for its existing services, the commissioner said.

Clegg said he was prompted to put forth the request because he has a neighbor who buries or burns all refuse in a wood stove. He claims his neighbor has been cited by the state health division, but the state agency can't enforce compliance because it is based in Carson City.

"I've had a lot of phone calls from people, more calls saying this needs to be done than the other way," Clegg said. "But there are definitely many people and friends that feel it's wrong for the government to mandate anything. In many instances I agree with them, But definitely not on this one."

The council will also consider a request from Lisa Young for the city to take control of the Fernley Farmers Market, which she has managed for four years. Young said since she's taken a full-time job in Reno and is unable to devote as much time to the market, but would like to see the family-friendly event continue.

"I'm asking the city to take it over because it's a good way to maintain a sense of community, and they can use this as a way to advertise what the city wants their message to be," Young said.

The city's investment in the farmers market would be minimal, Young said, including the cost of sending out 125 vendor applications. In return for all the vendor applications, ledgers and signs used at past markets, Young will ask for 25 percent of the market's gross.

The city, however, may not be willing to take over the market.

"For us to take it over would require a fair amount of time," said Keith Penner, parks and recreation department director. He has not yet budgeted the city's cost of running the market because he's not received past figures from Young, nor has he received council direction to prepare the figures.

The Fernley City Council will meet Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Fernley City Hall, 595 Silver Lace Blvd. A complete copy of the agenda can be found online at www.cityoffernley.org.