Here we go again. Another lawsuit in the making?
The St. Louis Post Disipatch reports the St. Louis County Council on Tuesday voted 4-3 to give tentative approval to lengthening to five years from three the contracts for haulers in trash collection districts in the unincorporated area.
The current three-year contracts in the eight districts expire Sept. 30. Officials plan to complete this spring specifications for the bidding and seek bids next summer for new contracts for districts whose haulers now serve 80,366 households.
Officials say longer contracts could save households money and give haulers more time to pay for equipment. Some sources say any savings to residents would be minimal. "Why not 7 years or 10 years? Would the 'savings' be any greater?" added one resident.
Councilman Greg Quinn urged the council to delay action because of lawsuits challenging the districts.
The County Council chairman said last week he "vehemently" opposes a proposal from the administration that would lengthen the term of the county's trash-district contracts.
Chairman Steve Stenger, D-south county, said he planned to vote against the measure, which would increase the duration of the trash-district contracts to five years from three years.
Council Vice Chairman Mike O'Mara, D-Florissant, is the bill's sponsor. In 2008, the county established eight trash districts in unincorporated areas and awarded three waste haulers contracts to serve them exclusively. The contracts will expire Sept. 30.
Officials in County Executive Charlie Dooley's administration believe the next round of agreements should be longer to save residents money.
Showing posts with label trash bids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trash bids. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
County Wants to Change Trash Rules
St. Louis County wants to change the rules on its trash districting program - again. This should come as no surprise to those residents who have been following this highly contentious issue from its start back in 2007. Prior to the implementation of the county-wide trash districting program in 2008, St. Louis County constantly changed its rules, procedures and start-up dates, including a “pilot” program that never materialized, all reminiscent of a moving target.
Now, county executive Charlie Dooley and his administration wants to change the rules again by increasing the current three-year contracts to five years, according to a recent news story published on February 20 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The million dollar question is whether the county administration seeks to lengthen the current three-year contracts of the two “county designated haulers” (Allied and IESI) to five years or whether the administration wants the county council to pass legislation making the change effective when the current contracts expire on September 30 of this year.
In the event that the administration seeks to increase the current contracts to five years, this will effectively eliminate any bidding on trash districts by competing haulers, thus assuring a near trash monopoly for another two years in unincorporated St. Louis County.
According to Sheryl Hodges, director of highways and traffic and public works, increasing the contracts from three to five years could lead to a savings of between $24 and $45 per household over the five year period of the contracts. Hodges’ claim is disputed by Lester Stuckmeyer, an attorney representing some residents who have filed lawsuits challenging the county’s controversial trash districting program. Stuckmeyer contends that a $24 savings over a five year period equates to $5 a year and pennies a month. Stuckmeyer said “the county is putting another Band-Aid over problems relating to the districts.”
The county administration is also seeking county council approval to change trash regulations to require a waste hauling contract for all occupied premises, as opposed to the current ordinance which mandates contracts at “premises where waste is generated.” This action is the result of the county losing a simple municipal trash violation case to a South St. Louis County resident on appeal to the Missouri Court of Appeals. David Skaer successfully proved to the appellate court that he recycles all of his trash and does not generate any waste. The pending legislation attempts to plug that loophole in the ordinance. According to county counselor, Patricia Redington, it was difficult for county inspectors to prove a residence generates trash, requiring surveillance of the home of anyone who makes such a claim.
The following are recent comments from county residents:
>> “A trial to determine the amount of damages owed the haulers has been moved from Feb. 24 to May 31 at the request of St. Louis County. This delay now allows enough time for the New Waste District bids to be rebid and awarded. Does anyone smell more manipulation?”
>> “With regard to Dooley and company, one never knows what to expect next. I can’t believe that they are still trying to make changes to this trash program with four lawsuits pending. It just goes to show that they think they are above the law and can do whatever they want. And, it also shows that they want this to be a near or complete monopoly.”
>> “If costs are the issue, the items that would have the largest benefit at cost cutting are:
- Single Payer system, the county needs to come up with the funds and pay the contractor directly. This has the ability to substantially lower costs.
- Eliminate the OPT out program. This OPT out allows for almost 30% of the county to avoid the program, thus, putting more trucks on the street to do the same job, and weakness in the program.
- Include yard waste/green waste into the program, this would also spread out the cost and lower the cost. As well as stop yard waste from being thrown into the MSD sewers and behind shopping centers and onto empty lots. This would save the county hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- The county is now only running a program at about 60% effeciency, and having to monitor the administration of it. With the changes above, the program almost runs itself, and everyone is included, eliminating costly county administration.
Either do it, and do it right, or get out of it.”
In the event that the administration seeks to increase the current contracts to five years, this will effectively eliminate any bidding on trash districts by competing haulers, thus assuring a near trash monopoly for another two years in unincorporated St. Louis County.
According to Sheryl Hodges, director of highways and traffic and public works, increasing the contracts from three to five years could lead to a savings of between $24 and $45 per household over the five year period of the contracts. Hodges’ claim is disputed by Lester Stuckmeyer, an attorney representing some residents who have filed lawsuits challenging the county’s controversial trash districting program. Stuckmeyer contends that a $24 savings over a five year period equates to $5 a year and pennies a month. Stuckmeyer said “the county is putting another Band-Aid over problems relating to the districts.”
The county administration is also seeking county council approval to change trash regulations to require a waste hauling contract for all occupied premises, as opposed to the current ordinance which mandates contracts at “premises where waste is generated.” This action is the result of the county losing a simple municipal trash violation case to a South St. Louis County resident on appeal to the Missouri Court of Appeals. David Skaer successfully proved to the appellate court that he recycles all of his trash and does not generate any waste. The pending legislation attempts to plug that loophole in the ordinance. According to county counselor, Patricia Redington, it was difficult for county inspectors to prove a residence generates trash, requiring surveillance of the home of anyone who makes such a claim.
The following are recent comments from county residents:
>> “A trial to determine the amount of damages owed the haulers has been moved from Feb. 24 to May 31 at the request of St. Louis County. This delay now allows enough time for the New Waste District bids to be rebid and awarded. Does anyone smell more manipulation?”
>> “With regard to Dooley and company, one never knows what to expect next. I can’t believe that they are still trying to make changes to this trash program with four lawsuits pending. It just goes to show that they think they are above the law and can do whatever they want. And, it also shows that they want this to be a near or complete monopoly.”
>> “If costs are the issue, the items that would have the largest benefit at cost cutting are:
- Single Payer system, the county needs to come up with the funds and pay the contractor directly. This has the ability to substantially lower costs.
- Eliminate the OPT out program. This OPT out allows for almost 30% of the county to avoid the program, thus, putting more trucks on the street to do the same job, and weakness in the program.
- Include yard waste/green waste into the program, this would also spread out the cost and lower the cost. As well as stop yard waste from being thrown into the MSD sewers and behind shopping centers and onto empty lots. This would save the county hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- The county is now only running a program at about 60% effeciency, and having to monitor the administration of it. With the changes above, the program almost runs itself, and everyone is included, eliminating costly county administration.
Either do it, and do it right, or get out of it.”
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Expect Angry County Residents Later This Week
A resident called predicting a lot of angry county residents later this week. This is when the County announces the trash hauler(s) and rates for additional trash districts.
The first district awarded was in February, 2008 and went to Veolia Environmental Services with a trash service bid of $11.60 for 1x weekly pickup and recycling. Some believe this rate is too low and that Veolia is "buying" into the market to capture a larger portion of the business at a future date.
Unless the "winning" bid is not in the $11.60 range or lower, residents have every reason to be upset.
The first district awarded was in February, 2008 and went to Veolia Environmental Services with a trash service bid of $11.60 for 1x weekly pickup and recycling. Some believe this rate is too low and that Veolia is "buying" into the market to capture a larger portion of the business at a future date.
Unless the "winning" bid is not in the $11.60 range or lower, residents have every reason to be upset.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
No Pilot Program for County Trash Program; Contract is "Final" for Trash District 3
If you were of the opinion, as widely publicized in the press, that St. Louis County would be doing a pilot program to "test" its new trash and recycling program, you are mistaken.
St. Louis County is NOT doing a pilot program. The 3rd Trash district is simply the first district bid awarded by the county. Trash service for the first bid district begins July 1, but the sealed bids for that district have already been opened and the contract let. The lowest bid was $34.80 for thrree months service from Veolia Environmental Services. The price includes once weekly trash, once weekly recycling, and twice yearly bulky waste, with an additional 10 % discount for Seniors.
The other districts have sealed bid openings in May. The service and contract price for these districts would begin October 1, 2008.
The City of Crestwood currently contracts with Veolia at a cost of $53.76 per quarter ($17.92 per month) through April 2009. At that time, the cost goes to $58.65 per quarter ($19.55 per month).
St. Louis County is NOT doing a pilot program. The 3rd Trash district is simply the first district bid awarded by the county. Trash service for the first bid district begins July 1, but the sealed bids for that district have already been opened and the contract let. The lowest bid was $34.80 for thrree months service from Veolia Environmental Services. The price includes once weekly trash, once weekly recycling, and twice yearly bulky waste, with an additional 10 % discount for Seniors.
The other districts have sealed bid openings in May. The service and contract price for these districts would begin October 1, 2008.
The City of Crestwood currently contracts with Veolia at a cost of $53.76 per quarter ($17.92 per month) through April 2009. At that time, the cost goes to $58.65 per quarter ($19.55 per month).
Thursday, April 03, 2008
County Council Names Veolia Trash Hauler for District 3
The St. Louis County Council (not Executive Dooley or anyone else) approved a three-year contract on Tuesday, April 1 for Veolia Environmental Services. Veolia was the lowest bidder of seven and selected to haul residential trash and recyclables in a trash collection district in the unincorporated areas in West and North County.
The council's four Democrats voted for the contract and its three Republicans opposed it. If residents and subdivision trustees do not like the vote or selection, take note of the County Council members voting for the program.
The county expects Veolia to start work on July 1. The company will serve District 3, generally bounded by Maryland Heights, Overland, Creve Coeur and Chesterfield plus the West Overland neighborhood.
In the first year, Veolia will charge $11.60 a month for weekly trash and recyclables collection and twice-a-year bulky item pick-up. This cost is approximately 30% lower than most of the other trash haulers and makes one wonder if this cost is "too low" . . . or if the other haulers are "too high." What do you think? Click on COMMENT below this article and share your thoughts.
Bryan Barcom, owner of American Eagle haulers, urged the county to delay bidding for seven remaining trash collection districts until officials see how the first one works out. Bids for the remaining districts are scheduled for later this spring.
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The council's four Democrats voted for the contract and its three Republicans opposed it. If residents and subdivision trustees do not like the vote or selection, take note of the County Council members voting for the program.
The county expects Veolia to start work on July 1. The company will serve District 3, generally bounded by Maryland Heights, Overland, Creve Coeur and Chesterfield plus the West Overland neighborhood.
In the first year, Veolia will charge $11.60 a month for weekly trash and recyclables collection and twice-a-year bulky item pick-up. This cost is approximately 30% lower than most of the other trash haulers and makes one wonder if this cost is "too low" . . . or if the other haulers are "too high." What do you think? Click on COMMENT below this article and share your thoughts.
Bryan Barcom, owner of American Eagle haulers, urged the county to delay bidding for seven remaining trash collection districts until officials see how the first one works out. Bids for the remaining districts are scheduled for later this spring.
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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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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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