BELLEAIR BLUFFS -- Commissioner Dave Shimkus raised questions Monday night at the City Commission's regular meeting over the money paid to Waste Management for cleanup after the recent storms.
After the first of two moderate rain and wind storms hit the area around the first of September, the company initally estimated the cost of pickup of branches and limbs at $5,000 to $6,000.
This escalated to $12,500, which the city agreed to, and then another $2,500 was tagged on. The second storm, at the end of September, resulted in more debris and Waste Management said the cost of pickup would be $6,000 to $7,000.
That wound up being $9,998.
Shimkus's comlaint was that the city ended up paying much more than had been anticipated and criticized the trash pickup company for being so far off in its estimates. The total paid to Waste Management was $24,998.
He suggested a look at other options, a suggestion that was squelched by both Mayor Chris Arbutine and Commissioner Hunt Brand. Commissioner Bret Nelson was mildly critical, too, but wanted to drop the subject and move on.
The commission quickly disposed of five ordinances on first reading with 4-0 votes in the absence of Commissioner Bob Russo. All were of the housekeeping variety, making changes in language.
Also getting commission attention were four ordinances getting final passage. All were routine changes in language.
The commission spent about 15 minutes discussing a nullity after John Hubbard, the city attorney, advised them that a petitioner who wanted to build town homes had substantially abandoned his project by not showing up for Planning Board meetings reviewing the application.
Debra Sullivan, the city clerk, reported that she had completed the required courses leading to designation as a certified municipal clerk.
There will be an open house at the fire station on Saturday with a day long program of events.