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Duquesne Will Look at Trash Collection
Council to examine cost of using city personnel
By Tom Leturgey
The Tube City Almanac
February 10, 2025
Posted in: Duquesne News
Duquesne City Council will study the possibility of collecting trash using its own personnel, rather than an outside contractor.
At this month’s meeting, council voted unanimously to have City Manager Doug Sample develop estimates on bringing trash collection in-house.
Local municipalities have been struggling with the rising cost of using outside contractors to collect garbage and residents in many communities have complained about trash fee increases. Some nearby communities, including West Mifflin and Munhall, have their own sanitation departments.
Council Member Aaron Adams said the city has speculated that Duquesne would need two garbage trucks — one as a primary vehicle and the other as a backup — and enough employees to collect trash four days per week.
In other business:
Council unanimously approved the hiring of police officer Valerie Bednar, contingent on passing psychology and drug tests. “It shouldn’t be that long” until she joins the force, said Police Chief Tom Shaw. Bednar had a background as an EMT and she worked in McKeesport, he added. Shaw also noted that a new round of police testing would be set up soon.
Shaw reported that Officer Dante Martinez resigned from the force. Shaw said Martinez had been with Duquesne for only about a year.
Council approved the sale of two vacant lots on Grant Avenue to Carolyn Thomas through the Allegheny County Vacant Propety Program.
Council Member Denise Brownfield reported that volunteers continue to pick up large quantities of trash during beautification projects in the city. Residents are urged to look at the city building’s marquee for digital updates on other volunteer opportunities and updates. “We need to get people involved,” said Mayor R. Scott Adams.
Solicitor Myron Sainovich said that the police department is looking for additional state constables to help with transports from the city police department to Allegheny County Jail.
Constable Frank Cobb, who also serves as fire chief, is currently the only person available, Sainovich said.
Sainovich said constables received $75 from the city per each prisoner. According to union rules, if a city police officer does the transport, the city has to pay the officer for four extra hours, minimum.
Officials awarded a $41,000 contract to Minniefield Demolition Services to tear down 11 S. 5th St., 117 N. 4th St., 1006 Sherman Ave. and 31 Meadow St. Work will be funded by federal Community Development Block Grant money.
Originally published February 10, 2025.
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