Public Works Committee holds Resolution 21874 awarding trash contract to Waste Management of Kansas, Inc.; committee seeks recycling clarity

Manny Abarca, chair of the Public Works Committee, opened discussion of Resolution 21874, a proposed 24‑month term and supply contract with two 12‑month options to extend for trash removal services to be used by various county vendors and awarded to Waste Management of Kansas, Inc. under the solicitation recited in the meeting record.

Committee members focused discussion not on the base trash collection but on whether recycling was included in the contract and how recycling material was being handled at county facilities. A purchasing representative (Barb, Purchasing Department) told the committee that recycling had been included in prior bid cycles but “nobody would bid on it,” and that bidders had said they made no money on the recycling portion. Brian Gaddy, Public Works, said he had seen recycling vehicles picking up county dumpsters and that staff would inquire with the current vendor about how material was processed.

The committee discussed options the purchasing office could pursue if recycling continues to be unbid: ask the current bidder whether it will provide recycling service, issue a supplemental solicitation for recycling, or break recycling into a smaller scope that might attract bidders. Abarca said he would “entertain a motion to hold this” while staff attempts to get clearer answers; a motion to hold the item was made on the record, but no roll‑call vote or formal tally was recorded in the transcript.

Operational detail and vendor facility concerns Committee members noted a separate shredding contract exists for confidential documents and asked whether recycling was being shredded rather than recycled. Brian Gaddy said staff would confirm whether materials are being recycled or shredded off‑site. One committee member mentioned a facility fire at a vendor as an additional factor to investigate.

Action and next steps The committee paused action on Resolution 21874 to allow staff to report back on vendor recycling practices and potential solicitation options. Committee members suggested staff follow up with bidders and consider a smaller bid scope for recycling if necessary. The purchasing representative recommended canvassing bidders to learn what would make recycling a viable bid item.

Ending Staff said they will query the vendor and return with clearer answers; the committee held the item pending that follow up.