Dale Martin
City Manager
January 18 2019 12:00 p.m.
City Manager Dale Martin
Over the course of the last two years, and following several internal conversations, at least one official City Commission workshop as well as additional discussions at City Commission meetings, a formal bidding process, a presentation to the City Commission by the recommended bidder, and final approval at a City Commission meeting, the new contract with Advanced Disposal Services (ADS), began this month, including the integration of new curbside carts. Some residents have questioned the need for the newer carts when the older carts are still serviceable.
First, the fees for waste collection, including twice-weekly garbage and weekly recycling and yard waste and a new weekly bulk collection, did not increase for this first year. No additional cost is attributed to the new carts. Subsequent future annual increases are limited to a Consumer Price Index (inflation) increase.
Second, many years ago (nearly twenty), ADS assumed the role of City waste collector following the abandonment of the services by a different provider. No effort at that time was made to transition to a standard cart, leaving many residents with carts previously utilized by other providers. The new carts provide a uniform appearance.
Third, the new carts also afforded an opportunity to audit collection records. The current service provides for one garbage cart and one recycling cart for each account. Some residents have acquired additional carts, but, in many cases, do not pay for that additional collection. Additional carts can be provided, but, as expected, an additional charge is necessary.
The new carts are coded, with the imprinted bar code linked to a specific Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) location- your property. If a second cart appears at a site, it will be easier (if necessary) to determine whether the second cart was properly acquired and appropriately billed. The bar codes will also, in many areas (including downtown), be helpful in identifying carts that are not removed from the street in a timely manner.
Fourth, since the carts are not only distinctive in color but also imprinted with the City logo, it is much easier to identify City and County residences. Although ADS does provide service to many County residents, the level of service is not the same, and nor is the cost. If you do not have new blue carts, you are not part of the City’s contracted services with ADS.
Fifth, albeit somewhat less important, the City did receive many complaints about the bright green color of the previous recycling carts. The decision was made to go to a blue color that is also reflective of the blue included in the City’s seal. Please also be aware that the new carts are exactly the same size as the previous carts- 95 gallon for garbage, 65-gallon for recycling.
The level of services for the new contract were extensively deliberated at several City Commission meetings- twice-weekly service versus one-weekly, reduced services, expanded services. The costs associated with different levels of service were scrutinized. The ADS proposal to maintain the same level of service was significantly less than the three other vendors. Mr. Jeremiah Glisson (whose experience with the City dates to when the City itself provided waste collection services) worked diligently to craft the terms and conditions of the new contract and the City Commission unanimously approved the contract.
Additional clarification is needed with regard to yard waste collection. As part of discussions at City Commission workshops of the terms of the bid documents, the concept of bagging yard waste was raised, but rejected by the City Commission. The rationale for having that discussion was the abuse of the yard waste collection program by area landscaping and tree contractors, who would dump commercial quantities of yard waste.
Draft correspondence from ADS to residents as part of the new contract originally stated bagging was required, but it was immediately pointed out to ADS that such a requirement was not part of the contract, and that yard waste collection was to continue to occur as previously provided. ADS will continue to make use of the “claw” truck, but also utilize traditional garbage trucks for yard waste collection. The reason for this is the fact that the City’s yard waste collection (mulch) site was closed with the start of the new contract. As a result, yard waste is treated as solid waste and disposed of at a landfill. If you wish to bag yard debris, go ahead- it is not required to be bagged. Since the yard waste goes to a landfill, the type of bag is irrelevant (it need not be a specialized yard waste bag).
The transition to the new carts should be completed shortly. The transition involved moving nearly 25,000 carts into and out of the City. The process has not been trouble-free, but it was necessary for the reasons described above. During normal operations, thousands of collections are made weekly, every week, throughout the year. Problems do occur with that many operations. The City and ADS are continuously working to improve service and communication with residents.
Thank you for your patience.
All these changes will result in a more uniform and consistent waste management service for city residents. Hats off to Jeremiah, Dale and others involved in the discussions with Advanced for the contract terms. Those that have lived in other jurisdictions are probably aware of how great a deal this is for twice weekly pick-up. I would hope that people that are going to be bagging their yard waste to use the paper bags rather than plastic as they are more friendly from an environmental standpoint.
Unfortunately, after only 1 week into the new system, I have seen numerous black plastic trash bags filled with yard waste. This is much more unsightly than piles of debris. We are harming the environment with odd this plastic going into the landfill. There needs to be a ban put on bagging with plastic for yard waste .This needs to come from the city and Advanced, because the information we have been given leads us to believe we must bag. It’s also unfortunate that the mulching center had to be closed.