Politics & Government

Plastic Bags: Not Permitted For Yard Waste Pickup Anymore In Frontenac

First reading, Board of Aldermen amend ordinance to fall into compliance.

For those citizens who live in Frontenac, and chose to put out their solid yard waste (leaves, sticks, composting) into plastic bags for curbside pickup, those days are over.

The Frontenac Board of Aldermen passed a first reading ordinance to bring the city into compliance with the rest of Missouri. A lot of loose ends were tied up, so to speak.

There was a lengthy discussion about back yard composting. Complaints from residents have bubbled up from time to time about the stench of the neighbor’s piles.

City officials decided to move setbacks for composting from three feet to fifteen feet. This has been a particular problem in West End Park, a row of streets on the west side of Lindbergh Boulevard.

About solid waste removal, residents must use bio-degradable bags or place their waste into solid metal containers. The days of disposal using plastic bags is no more.

Alderman Tom Hizer asked if language of the material be limited to that of just waste. City Attorney Kevin O’Keefe said the more acceptable terminology in waste disposal is non-putrescrible solid wastes. O’Keefe said that stands for discards that are not degradable, and the terminology would remain. Residents can no longer use 75 pound containers. Weight restrictions are now 50 pounds to stay in compliance with contracts with the haulers who pick up the bags.

The first-round voice vote passed 5-0.

Mayor Keith Krieg reported that both he and City Administrator Bob Shelton recently visited with their state legislators in Jefferson City. They met with Representative John Diehl, Senators John Lamping and Eric Schmitt to show their support for compromise legislation dealing with caps on tax revenue sharing. Frontenac is a point of sale city, and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley wants cities to share more of their tax revenues.

“This is early in the (legislative session), we shall see what will happen,” said Mayor Krieg.

Financial statements indicate Frontenac remains on sound footing. Chief Financial Officer Julie O’Guinn reported revenues were up $69,000 from budget with net income up 8 1/2 percent for the month and 84 percent for the year. With St. Louis County revenues down some $25 million, members of the Frontenac Ways & Means committee are keeping a very close eye on the new budget planning, about to begin.

In other business, Shelton reported the Conway Road sidewalks project was 99 percent complete and that the Geyer Road bridge will be rebuilt during June-July and August. A public meeting will be held on the bridge rebuild between Huntleigh Manor and High Meadow at city hall February 29 at 7 p.m.


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