Friday, March 21, 2008

Trash Bid Announced for Trash District 3

Veolia Environmental Services was the low bidder for trash District 3 that includes Maryland Heights, Creve Coeur, Overland and Chesterfield along with an area in West Overland. Residents in this district may be paying $11.60 a month for once-a-week trash and recyclable collection starting July 1.

Veolia Environmental Services was the apparent low bidder of seven offering a three year contract. The selection of Veolia’s bid was the first by the county to select a hauler to serve a district. The company said it would raise the monthly charge to $11.95 in the second year and $12.31 in the third. The county said homeowners now pay from $9 a month up to $40 per month. The assigned district has over 8,200 dwelling units.

The City of Crestwood currently contracts with Veolia Environmental Services for recycling, solid waste and yard waste disposal. A fee of $17.92 for basic monthly collection from the curb is billed quarterly by Veolia. After April 1, 2009, the cost of collection will increase to $19.55 per month. It is the responsibility of each property owner to contact Veolia Environmental Services to establish solid waste service.

This raises some questions. Will the residents of Crestwood be upset since their rates with the same trash hauler are somewhat higher? Will Veolia reduce the rates to Crestwood residents since they can afford to give the county a lower rate?

Garry Earls, St. Louis County’s Chief Operating Officer, said they plan to make sure the company’s bid is valid (which should have been done before the company was selected). Opponents say the county continues to do things backwards by first, selecting a low cost supplier and then determining if the bid is “good.”
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8 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:46 AM

    There is an article in today’s paper stating Veolia is the apparent low bidder for one of the trash districts at $11.60 per month. Our subdivision has their bid to us dated 10-22-07 for $19.50 per month for trash pick up and recycling. There is also a fuel charge of $0.10 per month and a $0.10 a gallon increase in the cost of diesel fuel over a base cost of $2.50/gallon. It is increased in $0.10 increments based on Veolia’s average fuel cost for the prior quarter.

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  2. Anonymous9:54 AM

    If I were a resident in Crestwood and was paying this trash company almost 50% more than their proposal to a county trash district, I would be pissed.

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  3. Anonymous7:20 PM

    So it appears that Veolia can, and will, lower their rate in exchange for working with St. Louis County. It appears that for some, that means lower costs to have their garbage and recycling done.

    Crestwood now has something to work with next time their contract comes due.

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  4. Anonymous2:53 PM

    Interesting-it would appear that all the critics of the trash districting effort are 0 for 1 in their assertion that people would be gouged pricing-wise. Of course, the balance of the districts have yet to be bid, but isn't it amazing what a little competitive bidding will do? Any anyone want to bet that more than a few municipalities will be looking at lower contracts their next time around?

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  5. Anonymous8:11 AM

    Just an FYI, just like Missouri American Water is owned by the Germans, the Veolia company is owned by the French. Now the Air Force is willing to give our military contracts to the Europeans. Does anyone see a pattern here? Seems like American companies can not compete in their own back yard any more.

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  6. Anonymous5:02 PM

    Press Releases

    MAYOR ADDRESSES INCREASE IN TRASH HAULING FEE
    March 19, 2008
    Recently, Mayor Robert G. Lowery, Sr. said that Florissant City Hall is receiving a large number of telephone calls from the residents in the City of Florissant inquiring why the trash haulers have added an additional fee for recycling. Mayor Lowery wants all of Florissant’s citizens to realize that the City has nothing to do with the rise in the customers’ pick ups. It is the result of an ordinance passed by St. Louis County’s Council and the haulers are increasing their fees due to an additional pick up. The Mayor stated that although he thinks the ordinance is meaningful and in the best interest of all of the County, it has caused a lot of confusion with County residents.

    St. Louis County implemented the ordinance with the intent to further participation in recycling efforts but a lot of citizens are opposed because it was mandated without a vote of the people and they do not want to pay additional fees. Mayor Lowery wanted to clarify his position and that of the Florissant City Council that they are whole-heartedly in support of recycling but are opposed to the mandate to the vendors in the City without the permission of businesses and homeowners.

    Mayor Lowery asks that anyone who has a problem with this new ordinance to contact St. Louis County government at 314-615-HAUL. Please do not contact Florissant City Hall on this matter as we have no jurisdiction.

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  7. Anonymous11:10 AM

    Please remember that these large nationally owned trash companies can afford to temporaily lose money in one city while making millions in another city as long as their "bottom line" (national or even global) remains profitable.
    Eventually the prices will go back up once the smaller haulers have been run out of town!

    Surely these bid prices don't include all of the surcharges and administration fees - do they?????

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  8. Anonymous6:33 PM

    I called the phone number released in the Florissant Mayor's press release and it doesn't work!!! That was during the day today. Anyone else experience this?

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