BEEVILLE – City Council members took no action on an agenda item that could have resulted in a contract with Republic Services for the collection of bulk wastes and brush last Tuesday evening.

The item came up for action by the council after a public hearing at the beginning of the meeting.

Three city residents spoke during the hearing. Rogerio Galvan, Carlos Perez and Jerry Ries all said they thought the city was doing a good job when it comes to brush collection and disposing of bulk items.

Ries, who manages Capehart Properties, said the new carts for household trash and recyclables have helped.

“There’s a lot less trash,” Ries told the council.

But he was against any increases in the price paid by residents of his housing area. He said a decision to have Republic begin the services would affect his business directly.

Galvan and Perez also objected to the increased costs that would result from contracting with an outside company for the services.

Michael Reeves, municipal marketing manager at Republic’s Corpus Christi facility, said previous claims that the fee for both the bulk waste and brush collection services would increase the monthly fee for solid waste collection to more than $9 per customer were not accurate. The combined fee would be only $6.45, Reeves said.

Reeves did believe the bulk waste situation could be a problem in Beeville.

“If the city isn’t picking up those items and we aren’t, who is?” Reeves asked.

He said there has been a problem with illegal dumping in some neighborhoods because of the lack of that service. He said residents had become used to the city providing that service, and when it stopped, the problem with illegal dumping began.

“We are not pushing either service,” Reeves said. “We just thought we would offer it.”

Mayor Santiago “Jimbo” Martinez spoke first, saying he had received a number of telephone calls from residents who were concerned about any increase in their solid waste disposal bills.

The mayor said there is a “concern that any increase at this point in time probably is not a good idea. I’m inclined to take no action tonight and revisit it at another time.”

Councilman David Carabajal agreed with Martinez and said times are hard for many city residents. He thanked Reeves for his effort in addressing the situation.

Reeves assured the council that he would be glad to attend any future town hall meetings that might be held regarding the bulk waste and brush collection situation here.

Gary Kent is a reporter at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 120, or at reporter@mySouTex.com.