Providence City Council approves $5.78M waste management contract with new initiatives

The Providence Committee on Finance convened on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 5:30 PM to discuss several key agenda items, primarily focusing on contract approvals and budget allocations for city projects.

The meeting commenced with acknowledgments, including thanks to Kevin Chen Reed from the city solicitor's office. The first significant item on the agenda was a resolution authorizing a change order for a contract awarded to Baked Me Marketing, LLC, amounting to $75,244. This change order was necessary to utilize funds from the operating budget for various safety and marketing projects within the Department of Public Works.

Nate, the director of Public Works, presented details regarding the change order, explaining that it was essential to cover outstanding invoices and extend the contract for an additional year. The discussion highlighted concerns about the management of project budgets, particularly regarding the potential for exceeding purchase orders (POs). Council members expressed a desire for more transparency regarding the specific projects funded by these allocations, emphasizing the need for a prioritized list of safety projects.

The committee also addressed the importance of ensuring that contractors adhere to budget limits and project priorities. There was a consensus among council members that better oversight is necessary to prevent budget overruns and to ensure that safety projects are completed efficiently.

Following this discussion, the committee moved on to the second agenda item, which involved a resolution to award a contract to Waste Management of Rhode Island for waste management services. The proposed contract includes a three-year term with two optional years, featuring commitments from Waste Management to enhance service delivery. Notably, the company plans to introduce new trucks, implement smart truck video surveillance for monitoring waste collection, and assign a dedicated manager to oversee the Providence contract.

The committee discussed the financial implications of the contract, including how costs associated with bulky waste removal would be managed. The administration has proposed charging customers a portion of these costs, but the final decision will rest with the council.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the committee's commitment to ensuring fiscal responsibility and effective management of city contracts. The discussions highlighted the need for improved oversight and transparency in project funding, particularly concerning safety initiatives. The committee plans to follow up on these discussions in future meetings to ensure that all projects are executed within budget and meet the city's safety standards.