Residents, council press Priority Waste after missed collections; city says fines, investigations ongoing

Residents, council press Priority Waste after missed collections; city says fines, investigations ongoing Multiple residents and council members used the communications and council reports portions of the meeting to press administration on recurring missed collections, service delays and enforcement under the city's new refuse contract with Priority Waste. What officials said: City Manager Mark Vanderpool told council the city is in daily contact with the contractor and is enforcing contractual remedies. Vanderpool said the hauler has been fined for missed stops and provided catch-up service in many instances. He reported the contractor recently missed about 3% of composting stops that remained unfinished for the night and noted the company has ordered additional equipment: "They have 50 new trucks on order and they will be getting a number of those new trucks, 15 or so," Vanderpool said in response to council questions. Why it matters: Residents told council missed pickups and late-night collection activities are interfering with neighborhood life and causing frustration; council members asked the administration whether the city has concrete triggers to declare a contract default and what contingency options exist. Specific operational issues discussed at the meeting: Administration said Priority has roughly 40,000 weekly stops in the service area and that it missed about 500 stops in one prior week (the city applied contract fines for that event). Vanderpool and other staff said the company is using on-truck video and other data to document routes and that the city can request footage for specific missed-stop complaints. Councilmembers and residents urged a stepped approach of increased public education, targeted enforcement, red-tagging of contaminated recycling and fines, and possible contingency planning if the contractor cannot meet service obligations. Direction to staff and next steps: Vanderpool said staff will continue close oversight, will pursue fines where warranted, will escalate enforcement as allowed by the contract and will explore contingency options with legal counsel; he set an expectation that administration will provide an update to council within 30 days on the contractor's performance and on any legal options. Several councilmembers also asked staff to consult other municipalities that operate or contract differently for residential collection as input on possible alternatives. Discussion vs. decision: No formal council vote was taken on the contractor; council directed staff to continue enforcement and to report back. Staff said it will continue to apply contractual remedies and will consider additional remedies if performance does not improve.