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Council discusses landfill future: RFPs for franchising collection and sale to go out this spring
Summary
Councilors heard a staff update on the landfill, including two request-for-proposal processes: one to franchise residential garbage collection and one to solicit offers to purchase the landfill. Staff expects responses in early June and cautioned the city may keep the asset if bids are unsatisfactory.
The Common Council discussed options for the city landfill Feb. 18, after staff outlined ongoing work with consultant NewGen Strategies on two simultaneous requests for proposals: one to franchise the city’s garbage-collection service and another to solicit offers to purchase the landfill as an asset.
Public-works staff and councilors described a planned timeline in which both RFPs will be issued this spring with an early-June return date for proposals. Staff said the responses will determine whether the city moves to franchise collection, sell the landfill, or pursue another path. The city is considering whether franchise fees and gate-rate revenues from contracted haulers could address a transfer shortfall previously described as approximately $1,700,000.
Councilor Olson asked staff for details and a time frame; staff described recent work at the landfill, including near-completion of a separate project and the containment of a landfill fire earlier in the year. The city has been holding biweekly calls with NewGen to prepare the RFP packages. Staff said NewGen specializes in advising public entities that own landfills and manage trash collection.
Councilors and staff discussed alternatives to selling the landfill, including restructuring the enterprise fund, keeping the landfill and franchising collection, or requiring a hauler license that would obligate haulers working in Superior to deliver waste to the city gate at the city’s gate rate. One councilor asked whether state law (Act 20) provides ways to add fees without reducing the levy; staff said they would examine Act 20 and follow up. Councilors also noted the potential to seek meetings with the DNR and state legislators to address a state payment that significantly affects the landfill’s fiscal position.
No formal motion or vote was recorded on the landfill item during the meeting; staff said they would issue the RFPs and return with bidder responses for council consideration.
