The Utilities Committee of the Cleveland City Council convened on September 18, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including the approval of two ordinances related to public utilities and waste management.

The meeting began with the approval of Ordinance 822-2025, which passed without any questions from the committee members. This ordinance was followed by a discussion on Ordinance 823-2025, introduced by Council members Casey and Griffin at the request of the Department of Public Utilities. This emergency ordinance authorizes the purchase of one or more requirement contracts for the disposal of debris at landfills, transfer stations, and recycling facilities for a term of two years, with an option to renew for an additional year.

The Director of Public Utilities explained that the department generates a significant amount of debris from excavation activities, which must be disposed of at Ohio EPA-certified landfills. The current vendor for this service is Boyus Excavating, which utilizes a landfill located in Brooklyn Heights. The total budget allocated for this contract over the two-year period is $1.4 million, and the committee aims to initiate the bidding process promptly, as the existing contract is set to expire early next year.

During the discussion, the Director clarified the types of debris that would be included in the contract, which encompasses materials such as dirt, concrete, sand, asphalt, gravel, mud, clay, tree limbs, wood chips, and steel rebar. The committee members did not raise any further questions regarding Ordinance 823-2025, which also passed without opposition.

In conclusion, the meeting effectively addressed the necessary approvals for waste management contracts, ensuring that the Department of Public Utilities can continue its operations without interruption. The committee plans to move forward with the bidding process to secure a new vendor for debris disposal in the coming months.