GIRARD — City officials voiced concerns regarding trash collection with representatives of Republic Services at the city council meeting Monday.

Councilman Thomas Grumley, D-4th Ward, said he was concerned with the quality of the service, particularly in the past few months. He said he doesn’t ever remember a time when there has been such a neglect of trash collection on city streets.

Grumley said he also was concerned that when residents’ trash is collected and being placed in the truck, it often ends up all over the road.

“On windy days, it blows all over the place,” he said. “I have heard from residents trash is ending up on the streets or on the curb.”

Mona Rance, Republic Services lead dispatcher, and Renee Shipley, municipal sales manager, said they will address concerns from residents and city officials.

Shipley said there have been recent retirements, and newer workers have undergone training protocol. She said she will address Grumley’s concerns with the supervisor and drivers to make sure no trash is left on the ground.

“We believe in providing quality service to the public,” Shipley said.

Councilman Keith Schubert, D-1st Ward, said he too was concerned with trash often being left on the street along Ward Avenue, noting it looked like “a tornado went through.”

Councilwoman Lily Martuccio, D-at Large, said company officials were invited to the meeting to answer questions from city officials and residents pertaining to trash collection, including the billing process.

Shipley said that all properties, including each unit of duplexes, receive a separate bill per month for trash collection. She said the company will work with the city in any way to address concerns over billing, service or any other issue.

Rance said she has received calls from Girard officials, which have been addressed by Republic officials.

NO PARKING ON SIDEWALKS

In other business, council gave final reading to legislation prohibiting the parking of any motorized vehicles, whether gas, electric or trailer, on city sidewalks.

Councilman John Moliterno, D-at Large, said in addition to the problem of vehicles parked on sidewalks, there are also concerns of vehicles parked in front yards on Churchill Road.

“In the major arteries of the city, this has always been a problem,” he said.

Police Chief John Freeman said now that the ordinance has been passed by council, it will help more with enforcement in residential and business areas.

He said those whose vehicles are on the sidewalks, especially in the downtown area, will be asked to remove them. Freeman said repeat offenders will be cited.

“It is the law, and the police will enforce it,” Freeman said.

Grumley told Freeman he has seen more police officers in cruisers out with the speed cameras. Freeman said during the summer months when school is not in session, officers are able to use the speed cameras more often to watch for speeding vehicles. He said “hot spot” areas where speeding is most often reported have been where the cameras are being used. Freeman said when school starts, the officers will work as school resource officers and not be out with the cameras as much.

RECORDING MEETINGS

Council also approved legislation to begin video recording council meetings and to purchase the audio and visual equipment to do so.

Councilman James Clark, D -2nd Ward, said it will be good for transparency.

“Not everyone can attend the council meetings, so this will be good to allow residents to get on the internet or Facebook and watch the meetings,” he said.

No date has been set for the first meeting to be videotaped.