Apparently, the residents of Superior are not objecting to an ordinance change that will mandate each residence subscribe for trash removal service. If the ordinance is adopted, the charge will be part of the property’s monthly utility bill.

At the start of Monday night’s council meeting, there was a public hearing at which residents could speak either in support of or in opposition to the proposed ordinance change.

Only two residents of the community spoke and neither opposed the change.

One asked what the monthly charge would be and the other asked it the charge would be assessed to properties outside the city that are served by one or more city utilities.

The answer to the first question was that the trash hauler serving Superior had not yet submitted a written rate schedule.

The answer to the second question was the requirement would only apply to property located within the city limits.

The ordinance has passed the first reading, but the council refrained from voting on the second reading as a written fee schedule had not been submitted. Before adopting, the changes must be approved three times.

The general public will have an opportunity to speak either in support of or in opposition to the ordinance changes at the Feb. 13 council meeting.

Monday evening the council approved the hiring of two employees.

Jason Hamilton will fill a vacancy at the Superior Waste Water Treatment facility. Wilbur Young was hired to fill a vacancy on the Superior Police Department. A certified officer, he is coming from Fairbury with 17 years experience. He began work Tuesday.

The addition of three emergency medical technicians was approved Matt Meyer, Chelsea Kramp and Lynsay Christensen to the Superior Volunteer Rescue Squad. The three recently took and passed a training course and have secured their state licenses.

The council approved a short-term loan of $50,000 to Superior Industries. The firm recently received an equipment order from the State of Missouri that will require the purchase of $150,000 in equipment and materials. The money is coming from sales tax receipts designated for economic development.

From the same fund $4,000 designated for tourism promotion was transferred to the Superior Chamber of Commerce to assist with the Vestey festival.

The council tabled a request for $2,500 from Encourage, the Hastings agency formally known as SASA to help fund the agency that works with abused people. The council questioned if the program benefits Superior and requested more information.

Mayor Peterson’s appointment of Austin Karnatz to the park and cemetery board was approved.

A proposal changing the division of health insurance premiums was approved. Previously city employees covered by the plan paid 20 percent of the cost and the city paid 80 percent. That is changing. The employees will now pay 10 percent and the city 90 percent. This will increase the city’s cost by $38,240.19 per year.

It was reported a permit had been granted to burn the tree pile at the city’s disposal site northwest of town. It was expected the fire would be set on Tuesday.

The bid of $327,507.70 from Johnson Services for slip lining of city sewer lines was approved. Six companies submitted bids. Johnson was the low bidder. The high bid was for $635,753.00.

Andrew Brittenham reported the project started 15 years ago and is about 60 percent complete. This bid will line the city’s last two long runs. The goal of sliplining is to reduce surface water infiltration into the wastewater system and to lower the amount of grit that passes into the wastewater plant. Lining the pipe also refurbishes the existing mains and allows waste to flow easier, reducing potential blockages.

The two long runs to be lined this year are located between Central and Kansas streets from Fourth to Fifteenth streets.