If you have other questions about the program and feel they should be included in this list, please send them to us. New questions and answers just added are #14, #15, #16, #22 & #23.
------------------------------------
1. What will the trash program cost homeowners on a monthly basis?
A - The cost is unknown at this time. Bids will be taken between February and May 2008 and will not be announced until late spring or summer 2008.
2. How often will the trash service be reviewed and placed for re-bidding after the initial contract?
A - The contract will be for a minimum of 3 years with the hauler having the option of extending the contract for another two years.
3. Could the costs vary between one trash district and another?
A - Yes.
4. Who is going to bill residents for the trash service?
A - Haulers will directly bill and collect fees from residents.
5. Who will be responsible to enforce use of the trash service should a homeowner choose to select a different trash company?
A - Haulers are required to report residents by giving the county a list of all who have subscribed to the service. They are to assist in finding non-subscribers and require subscription to the service via notification, then citation, then prosecution.
6. If an unapproved trash carrier picks up trash, what type of penalties will be assessed to the trash company and homeowner? And by Whom?
A - If the homeowner does not participate in the program, the county will take legal action to enforce to include fines, fees, court and even jail.
7. If a subdivision chooses to opt-out of the county’s program, who is responsible to enforce use of the chosen trash hauler?
A - The subdivision trustees will be responsible to enforce use of the approved trash hauler.
8. Do I have to pay for recycling even if I don’t use it?
Yes. All haulers must include recycling pickup in their basic or minimum service package to each customer. Each customer can then take advantage of it if they wish.
9. If a subdivision opts-out of the trash program, can their residents continue to use their current trash haulers providing they meet the County minimum standards?
A - Yes, if approved by their subdivision trustees.
10. Can a subdivision select its own trash service and use this on a permanent basis?
A - Yes per call to county on 12/6/07.
11. What procedures should a subdivision use to opt out?
A - From November 2007 to February 1, 2008, residential neighborhoods with an active form of self-governance – a board of trustees, directors, condominium association, etc. that are governed by indentures – can remove themselves from the trash district program by certifying to the Director of St. Louis County’s Department of Public Works that:
* They are empowered to act on behalf of the homeowners in their subdivision and a majority of trustees have signed the certification
* A simple majority of homeowners want to “opt out”
* All haulers operating in their subdivision provide St. Louis County’s minimum level of service (once a week recycling, once a week pick-up and two bulky pickups annually)
* They have provided a complete list of all homes in their subdivision
* They have provided a complete list of waste haulers operating in their subdivision
12. What methods will be used to force a homeowner to use a particular company?
A - If the homeowner does not participate in the program, the county will take legal action to enforce to include fines, fees, court and even jail. Trash haulers will assist by policing and reporting non-participants to the county.
13. What safeguards has the County put in place to protect the small haulers?
A - None.
14. Will all the documentation for the bids received be open for public inspection?
A - There will be a public bid opening at which time the bids will be read aloud. A bid tabulation will be posted on the County Procurement Division's website within a few days of the bid opening. In accordance with the Open Records law, the County will copy or provide for inspection all bid documents. If appropriate, the County may require authorized copying charges.
15. Who will be on the bid review committee?
A - County Council will have the final review, based upon a recommendation from the Director of the Procurement as to the lowest responsive bidder.
16. Will someone be able to override their decision?
A - I have confirmed with our County Counselor's office that County Council award is final within County government. (Toreen Parker, CPPB, Procurement Contract Administrator, St. Louis County, 1/31/08)
17. Who will collect and review customer service complaints?
A. The department responsible is:
Neighborhood Services Manager
Attn: Solid Waste Districting Program
St. Louis County Public Works Dept., 6th Fl
121 S. Meramec Ave.
Clayton, MO 63105
Tel: 314-615-4285
Fax: 314-615-8906
18. Will there be any grounds to “fire” a hauler during the contract for too high a level of complaints? Who will decide what levels are “too high?”
A - If St. Louis County determines that a hauler is violating the terms of its bid/contract, the hauler will be given an opportunity to correct its service delivery. If it fails to do so, enhanced action can and will be taken to ensure that it does.
19. If a customer gets fed up with the poor service received and stops paying the contract hauler and brings in another hauler to serve them, will anyone take action against them?
A - Yes, the county will take legal action to enforce to include fines, fees, court and even jail.
20. - How much money is St. Louis County anticipating to spend to implement this program?
A - County officials reduced to about $178,000 the budget to administer the trash collection districts in the unincorporated areas from $400,000.
21. Who will provide the recycling carts and who will pay for them?
A - The county is currently seeking bids for the carts as of 11-14-07 per Sheryl Hodges, St. L County. The containers are being provided from user fees collected by the county at landfills and transfer stations. These user fees are actually consumer fees built into pricing.
22. Situation - A subdivision chooses to opt-out of the county’s trash program. The subdivision selects a trash hauler, but one resident of their subdivision does not use any trash service at all since he transports his trash to his business location to dispose of it in the business dumpster. Is this person obligated to pay for trash services in his subdivision that he is not using?
A. Yes he is obligated to pay for trash service at his house even though he may pay for it at another location. (Info provided by Joe Hunt, St. Louis County, 1/31/08)
23. Situation. A subdivision chooses to opt-out of the county’s trash program. The subdivision selects a trash hauler but one or more resident does not wish to use their designated hauler and contracts with another hauler to pick up their trash. Who is responsible to have those residents use the designated hauler?
A. Saint Louis County is not responsible. The trustees might be responsible if the indentures/restrictions or bylaws give them authority to enforce. (Info provided by Joe Hunt, St. Louis County, 1/31/08)
24. Who is the County representative that can provide answers to the above questions?
A - The department responsible is:
Neighborhood Services Manager
Attn: Solid Waste Districting Program
St. Louis County Public Works Dept., 6th Fl
121 S. Meramec Ave.
Clayton, MO 63105
Tel: 314-615-4285
Fax: 314-615-8906
No comments:
Post a Comment