Garbage and recycling bins at Salmon Arm bus stops did not make their way into the 2016 city budget.
Coun. Tim Lavery proposed, during last week’s budget deliberations, that $5,000 be set aside in a reserve. It could be used to purchase receptacles in the event that a community group could be found to maintain the bins.
He explained the suggestion came from his neighbours, because from 30th down to the Jackson campus and to city hall is often littered with garbage due to no bins at the bus stops.
Coun. Ken Jamieson asked if the funds could be found within the recycling budget.
Rob Niewenhuizen, the city’s director of engineering and public works said no, as it would be a new program and there are no funds available.
Lavery was alone in voting for the $5,000 reserve contribution.
Jamieson commented: “I think the challenge now is to make sure it happens in another way.”
Council also discussed recycling bins for places other than bus stops.
Niewenhuizen said eight bins are being considered, with five downtown and one in Marine Park, one at McGuire Lake and one in Fletcher Park.
He said he has been working with Downtown Salmon Arm on stainless steel, ‘two-stream’ bins, one for paper and one for other containers.
Coun. Chad Eliason said the proposed bins seem to be overdoing it.
He suggested it would be more cost effective to have a ring around the existing containers where cans and bottles could be placed.
“Wouldn’t we be better off to retrofit if it’s only a two-way stream, not three streams, until we bring in composting in 2017 or 2018?” Eliason suggested.
Council did not support $21,000 in the 2016 budget to purchase and install the eight bins, but agreed unanimously to contribute $10,500 if Downtown Salmon Arm would contribute the other half. Coun. Kevin Flynn clarified during council’s Nov. 23 meeting that DSA had not requested funds for the bins; it was a city staff initiative.