Kudos to city on transfer station, wastewater plant

Every organization takes a misstep every now and then; no entity is perfect, and neither are the people who run it.

While the city of Cape Girardeau has taken some criticism lately on spending decisions and processes, our city leaders overwhelmingly do much more right than wrong.

Cape Girardeau is moving in a positive direction. As noted in recent stories, numbers show that Cape is one of the most generous in the state, and it is growing. Exciting, new developments are underway that will bring jobs, infrastructure and tourism to the city. The city can only thrive if basic infrastructure needs are met. A Monday event will provide us two examples of major projects that may not be the most visible or fun structures, but they are required for the basic functionality of the city.

The city will hold a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. at the new $3.8 transfer station at 2055 Corporate Circle to recognize the completion of two projects: the transfer station and the wastewater treatment facility. Tours of both facilities will be available.

The city was able to bring a much-needed upgrade of the transfer station, which will open to the public in early June, to the city without seeking tax or fee increases.

As has been previously reported, the city approved an agreement with Republic Services, a private hauling operation, that included hauling solid waste from the city's transfer station to the company's landfill. The agreement calls for the Fruitland company to operate its hauling operation and process all solid waste from that operation through a new city-owned multiuse transfer station. The revenue generated from the solid waste processed by the city from Republic's hauling operation, in addition to lease payments from the company for using city-owned facilities, will provide enough revenue to pay for the new facility without increasing user fees.

This public-private partnership will finance a much-needed upgrade to the city. The city will be able to increase its processing capacity from 100 tons per day of waste to 180 tons. It will also be near the recycling center.

As for the new wastewater treatment facility, it was a much, much bigger project in scope. In 2011, voters approved the funding for a new wastewater treatment facility that is the largest ever capital project in the city. Voters, faced with a decision to pass a sales tax or face much higher sewer rates, chose the sales tax. While the city knew it needed such a facility, more restrictive environmental regulations passed on from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, forced the city's hand. The city had to upgrade or face very expensive fines. The city did the best it could with the situation, and saw the project through; the facility began operating in December 2014.

Part of the city's arrangement with the Department of Natural Resources is to make wastewater treatment compliant, so these two projects are connected.

These projects and the many details of the arrangements and the regulations are not simple. The city deserves credit for seeing these major projects through, improving the city and ensuring that the infrastructure is in place for our city to thrive.