FOLEY — With the addition of its first automated garbage truck and a proposed change in garbage-pick-up schedule, the city of Foley is striving to keep municipal garbage fees down while increasing man-power used to maintain city streets.

During Monday’s Foley City Council Work Session, City Public Works Director Dan Hellmich announced that the ordered vehicle arrived last Friday. He also explained that with that addition, the two workers assigned to its manual predecessor can be freed up to work on the city’s streets.

Also, the Council discussed the option of reducing the city’s garbage pick-up schedule to one day per week. Hellmich also pointed out that the combined cost of fueling and maintaining the garbage pick-up trucks in 2012 was $226,000.

“Going to one day a week would save $55,000 to $60,000,” Hellmich said.

The other option, he said, would be an increase in the rates.

“What’s the timeframe for going to one day a week?” Councilwoman Vera Quaites asked.

“June third,” Hellmich replied.

Council President Wayne Trawick added that the city did need time to notify residents of any schedule change.

“We’ve got to have time to sell this and let people know what we’re doing,” he said.

Discussion of the proposal brought up the fact that several other municipalities in Baldwin County have already moved to a one-day a week trash pick-up schedule.

Also, Foley City Administrator Mike Thompson pointed an additional benefit to the change.

“It would encourage people to recycle,” he said.

The discussion concluded with Trawick asking city staff to come to the next Council meeting with a plan for moving forward with such a change.

During the meeting, the Council approved the purchase of additional solid-waste and recycling receptacles.

Also Monday, the Council:

Heard Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby announce the Fire Department’s annual Boston butt sale, which is March 30, with proceeds going toward the Ralph Schumacher Scholarship Fund.

Heard the Foley Police Department report that 20 felony arrests and one drug raid were made in February.

Approved the purchase of a truck chassis with a flatbed body for the Street Department in the amount of $42,312.

Accepted a $5,000 donation from the Friends of the Foley Library.

Approved the purchase of 50 new leaping buck Cobra pole mounted Christmas decorations from Universal Concepts not to exceed $12,000.