BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Mayor Carson Ross today announced he has established the Waste Disposal Task Force, comprised of twelve community members to advise the council on refuse- and recycling solutions. The Task Force has been formed to develop recommendations and support community benefits detailed by Alice Fuerst, Solid Waste Management Commission Chairperson, at the August 16th City Council meeting. These objectives include:
• Lower disposal costs for residents
• Reduce road maintenance costs
• Save landfill space through increased recycling
“Blue Springs strives to be a regional leader in sustainability and environmental issues,” Mayor Carson Ross said. “Responsible waste management is an issue that all communities are facing – ignoring the problem isn’t an option. I’ve appointed a group of individuals that include council members, neighborhood leaders, community/business stakeholders, City employees and solid waste industry representatives. I have the utmost confidence that this task force will come back with a recommendation that reflects the best interest of our community.”
The members of the Waste Disposal Task Force are:
• Lyle Shaver, Chairman, former Councilman District 1
• Dale Carter, Councilman District 1
• Chris Lievsay, Councilman District 2
• Grant Bowerman, Councilman District 3
• Chad Tipton, Solid Waste Management Commissioner
• Byron Craddolph, Solid Waste Management Commissioner
• Maureen York, EnviroStar Waste Service, Inc.
• Paul Howe, Deffenbaugh Industries, Inc.
• Bill Landrum, The Vespers Home Owners Association
• Bert West, Park Avenue Home Owners Association
• Robert Fasl, Renew The Blue
• Lara Vermillion, Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce
“This task force will focus on how this is a win-win opportunity for Blue Springs residents,” said Lyle Shaver, task force chairman. “We will be evaluating all alternatives and seeking public input in the coming months to accomplish the objectives outlined by Mayor Ross. Our first meeting in November will start by getting all of the issues on the table and begin working through them.”
Waste Disposal Task Force meetings will be open to the public and the agendas will be posted to the City’s website. Residents are encouraged to send their questions/concerns to the task force email address, wastedisposal@bluespringsgov.com.
“This task force is a vital step in achieving the City of Blue Springs’ commitment to the Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste Management District’s goal of achieving 80% waste diversion by 2023,” said Scott Allen, director of the Community Development Department. “Staff will work closely with the task force to ensure any recommendations brought forward could be implemented.”
The Waste Disposal Task Force will present their recommendations to the City Council by November 2011. Recommendations would need to be approved by the City Council and, if recommended by the task force, a two-year notification process for city contracted trash and recycling services would then need to be authorized.
For more information, call Scott Allen at (816) 228-0211. To contact the task force, email wastedisposal@bluespringsgov.com.