TO: Aurora City Council
FROM: Jim Pilmer, Director of Neighborhood Standards
DATE: November 14, 2014
SUBJECT: title
2015 Garbage Contract Presentation
body
This past June, the City Council approved a one year extension to its contract with Allied Waste Services of North America, LLC d/b/a Republic Services. At that time, staff advised the City Council that given the company's positive performance record, the city had entered into negotiations with Republic Services for another long-term contract and expected to bring City Council a proposal for consideration by the end of 2014. The current one year extension Republic Services expires on June 30, 2015. One final extension is available until June 30, 2016 with price increases.
The City contracted with Walter Willis to assist city staff with these negotiations. Mr. Willis has been the Executive Director of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) since 2007 and is responsible for overseeing the Agency's solid waste and resource management programs and implementing the Lake County Solid Waste Management Plan. Prior to joining SWALCO, Mr. Willis worked in the waste industry as a consultant for approximately 20 years developing solid waste management plans and assisting with solid waste facility development projects throughout the United States. During his career, he has assisted with more than 50 contract negotiations for communities.
Members of the negotiation team began by evaluating neighboring communities' refuse programs and reviewing input from residents through the network of neighborhood groups. The team established the following goals for a new long-term contract:
1) Lower the average cost per household below Aurora's current for Year One and keep cost increases economical,
2) Enhance the level of service provided to residents,
3) Retain choices for residents based on the volume of garbage disposed,
4) Increase the ease and volume of recyclables, and
5) Preserve lower costs per household for seniors.
After months of negotiations, City Staff is prepared to bring forward an improved refuse program for presentation to Committee of the Whole on Tuesday November 18, 2014 that achieves these goals by transitioning from the traditional sticker program to the use of garbage and recycling carts.
Following this introductory presentation, the City of Aurora will host three open houses, during which City Staff and representatives of Republic Services will be available to the general public so that they can come and learn about the enhanced refuse services offered in the proposed program.
The open houses will be as follows:
· Wednesday, November 19th at the Phillips Park Stover Visitor Center from
4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
· Thursday, November 20th at the Vaughn Athletic Center from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
· Saturday, November 22nd at the Eola Community Center from 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
City Staff and Republic Services will also present the plan to a joint committee meeting of Sustainable Aurora and the Aurora Neighborhood Council.
Throughout the public comment period, different cart options will be on display in the following locations:
· 1st floor in the lobby of the Alderman's office
· 1st floor of City Hall
· Lobby of the Aurora Customer Service Center/Fire Station 8
· Aurora Public Library - Main Location and Branches
After reviewing public comments, staff intends to bring a final contract proposal for consideration to a joint Finance and BGI committee meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2014.
If approved, the proposed program would allow refuse collection to continue seamlessly through the expiration of the current contract, while allowing ample time for strategic implementation of the new program and proper consumer education. Expected city wide implementation would take place between July and September of 2015.
Finally, in order to make a more informed decision, Republic has offered to allow each Council Member, or his or her a designee, to take part in a "pilot" cart program. Participants in this pilot program will receive and utilize two carts, one cart designated for refuse collection, and the other cart designated for recycling collection, during the pilot period.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.