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Pritchard council approves asking Mobile for a spare knuckle‑boom to ease trash‑pickup delays
Summary
After residents reported weeks of missed trash collections, the council moved to ask the City of Mobile for at least one replacement knuckle‑boom attachment for trash trucks and to pursue fleet‑policy work and a public‑works hearing to address maintenance and staffing gaps.
Council members and residents told the Pritchard City Council on July 16 that trash pickup failures have left streets piled with refuse for weeks and described several out‑of‑service public‑works trucks. A council member said the city’s fleet manager recommended requesting surplus knuckle‑boom equipment from the City of Mobile; the manager suggested Mobile would provide at least one unit for a nominal fee.
One resident and several council members emphasized public‑health risks and urged the council to act quickly. A council member moved that the mayor send a letter to the City of Mobile requesting equipment and that the city pursue fleet repairs and potentially an RFP if no emergency declaration is provided. The motion was carried.
Council members said they will review fleet policies, including operator requirements, maintenance schedules and disciplinary procedures, and scheduled a public‑works hearing to clarify what’s needed to repair and return vehicles to service.
Why it matters: Missed trash pickup affects sanitation and resident health; sourcing equipment from a neighboring city and clarifying fleet policy are immediate operational responses that could reduce service gaps.
Attributions: Statements in this article come from council members, a resident commenter, and the council's discussion recorded during the meeting.
