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St. Marys council hears update on solid-waste staffing and replacement truck negotiations
Summary
City staff told the St. Marys City Council the sanitation crew lost two workers but has rehired one and expects to hire another; the city located a replacement automated truck but is negotiating with insurers over a higher replacement cost.
A city staff member told the St. Marys City Council that two employees resigned from the solid-waste crew and that the city has filled one position and plans to hire a second worker early next week.
The staff member said the city recently ran a CDL class that allowed the city to bring one driver back and that interviews have produced a candidate expected to start "probably early next week." The staff member also said the city is "back filling" other duties with general services while hiring continues.
City staff reported that a previous automated collection truck was a total loss and that the city located a replacement in Indianapolis through its vendor network. The staff member described the found vehicle as a "cab over" truck, where "the cab sits right over the axle," and said that design has been "easier to maneuver." The staff member also said one of the city's CL drivers is operating the new vehicle and that it "seems to be doing well for us."
On insurance, the staff member said the new truck was "significantly more" than the old truck and that the city is "pushing back with the adjuster's amount" to ensure an "apples to apples" comparison with their loss. The staff member noted the old truck had about 9,000 miles but "didn't have any hours," and that some trucks measure usage by an hour meter rather than mileage.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about cost and timing; one councilmember thanked staff for quickly locating the truck. The transcript does not record a formal motion or vote associated with purchasing a replacement vehicle or settling insurance.
The update did not include dollar amounts for the new truck, the insurer's offer, or the hire dates for the new employee beyond the staff member's expectation that hiring would occur "early next week."
