Athens City Council introduced multiple ordinances on Monday that will increase the cost of

recycling, sewer rates and parking for motorcycles and street events. At the meeting, City
Council President Christine Knisely discussed why the fee increases were necessary.

Athens City Council raises fees for

recycling, sewer rates and parking
By Kara Fedurek
For JOUR 2311

Athens City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on Monday to increase recycling fees
from $3.50 to $5.50. The ordinance also increased fees from $14.50 to $15.23 for owner
occupied units with a single 32-gallon container and $22.05 per month for owner occupied units
with two trash cans. The price for extra bags of trash was increased from $5 to $5.25, and special
hauls are now $15.75.

City Council President Christine Knisely said that the fee increases are necessary to break even
on the cost of maintaining all services.

The council introduced an ordinance to raise sewer fee rates. The monthly charge for zero to
15,000 gallons of sewer will be increased from $28.40 to $29.25 per month. President Knisely
clarified that, again, the fee increases are necessary to maintain services.
Councilmember Jeffrey Risner introduced an ordinance to amend certain sections of the Athens
city traffic code. The amendments involve increasing the cost of overtime parking and traffic
control for parades, as well as raising the price of motorcycle parking stickers from $20 to $40
per year for one motorcycle and $60 per year for two motorcycles.

Councilmember Micah McCarey pointed out that the ordinance is also the first of the council’s
effort to include gender neutral language. Instead of the use of his/her, the ordinance uses the
pronoun “their.”

“I’d like to thank our law director, (Lisa) Eliason, for a conversation that, I think, affirmed our
interest in seeing more inclusive language as these sorts of ordinances come up,” McCarey said.

At the end of the meeting, Damon Krane, an Athens activist running for council as an
independent, criticized Mayor Steve Patterson for his actions in office. Krane also criticized
councilmembers McCarey and Ben Ziff for supporting fellow councilmember Sarah Grace, a
figure who, according to Krane, opposes McCarey’s and Ziff’s beliefs. Finally, Krane asked that
McCarey and Ziff make their intentions and beliefs clearer to the public.

President Knisely responded that, as Krane was speaking in a section of the meeting not meant
for discussion or answering questions, the council was unable to answer Krane’s questions
regarding the election.

In other business:
• Councilmember Ziff received a comment about a number of assaults and robberies
occurring on the staircase leading up to West Washington Street and advises that people
be careful when walking around that area at night.
• The council unanimously approved an ordinance introduced by Councilmember Chris
Fahl granting a right-of-way permit to Nathan Rath, owner of Dr. May’s Thai Kitchen at
333 East State St. Rath will use the permit to replace the Athens Lock and Key sign with
a sign promoting the new business.
• The council unanimously approved another right-of-way ordinance introduced by
Councilmember Fahl for James Coady, owner of Restaurant Salaam at 21 West
Washington St. The permit will allow Coady to add an awning to the outside of the
building, which will create more outdoor space for the restaurant.