Shelby City Council approves waste contract, housing loan and staffing, updates vacation policy

The Shelby City Council on March 19 approved a bundle of routine measures affecting city services, staffing and small-scale housing assistance, with most votes unanimous and one memorandum of understanding passing 4–1.

Councilmember Pat Honeywell moved the agenda items that drew the bulk of action. The council approved a three-year contract with R&S Waste that raises the monthly residential rate to $16.75 (a $1 increase the council said was necessary to help with the contractor's operating costs). The same meeting approved a five-year forgivable housing loan of $5,000 for Lane Dorscher’s existing house at 505 Summit Street.

Why it matters: The actions adjust recurring costs for residents, allocate a modest housing assistance loan targeted at owner-occupied rehabilitation, and commit limited resources to marketing and insurance that affect the city budget and public services.

The council approved a Memorandum of Understanding tied to an industrial site and an individual identified in the record as Damien Skull; that motion passed on a 4–1 roll call with Councilmember Traci True voting no and the other four members voting yes. The council hired Cydney Shriver as a one-year marketing contractor at an approximate cost of $5,862, to be reevaluated at the end of the year. The council also renewed an ICAP insurance policy with a fee of $41,056 and updated the personnel vacation schedule for both part-time and full-time employees.

Several other procedural items were handled on consent or by motion: the council tabled an agenda item related to Land Marne Elkhorn for fiber, authorized advertising for two seasonal employees at $15–$18 per hour, and approved the claims report for March 16, 2024. Most motions were recorded as "all ayes" in roll calls; the MOU was the lone item with a recorded dissent.

Votes at a glance: • R&S Waste three-year contract (monthly rate $16.75): mover Pat Honeywell; second Todd Frank; outcome: approved; roll call: all ayes (5–0). • Housing Program loan for Lane Dorscher, $5,000 forgivable, 5 years (505 Summit Street): mover Pat Honeywell; second Jackie Hursey; outcome: approved; roll call: all ayes (5–0). • Memorandum of Understanding for Damien Skull / Industrial Site: mover Pat Honeywell; second Todd Frank; outcome: approved; roll call: Honeywell Yes, Hursey Yes, Frank Yes, Schlueter Yes, True No (4–1). • Hire marketing contractor (Cydney Shriver), ~ $5,862 for one year: mover Pat Honeywell; second Todd Frank; outcome: approved; roll call: all ayes (5–0). • Land Marne Elkhorn for fiber: tabled; mover Pat Honeywell; second Jackie Hursey; outcome: tabled; roll call: all ayes (5–0). • ICAP insurance renewal, $41,056: mover Karen Schlueter; second Todd Frank; outcome: approved; roll call: all ayes (5–0). • Personnel vacation policy update (revised hours/days by years of service): mover Pat Honeywell; second Todd Frank; outcome: approved; roll call: all ayes (5–0). • Advertise for two seasonal positions, $15–$18/hour: mover Jackie Hursey; second Karen Schlueter; outcome: approved; roll call: all ayes (5–0). • Claims report for 03/16/24: mover Pat Honeywell; second Todd Frank; outcome: approved; roll call: all ayes (5–0).

The meeting record shows these items were handled as ordinary council business; no further public hearings or final actions on larger capital projects were recorded during this session. The council adjourned at 9:00 p.m.