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Streator Council directs staff to seek proposals for trash service after discussion with Waste Management
Summary
Council discussion centered on whether to renegotiate with Waste Management or issue a request for proposals (RFP) for municipal solid waste collection. Council gave staff direction to issue an RFP and return with bids before the current contract expiry.
At the meeting, councilmembers directed city staff to issue a request for proposals for municipal solid-waste collection while continuing exploratory talks with the city’s current provider, Waste Management.
The move followed public comment from David Schaab, municipal marketing manager for Waste Management, and a staff presentation summarizing the city’s current contract and options. Schaab said Waste Management has a “long history of service here” and that the company was “anxious to see if we can extend that.”
City staff told the council the current contract dates to 2018 and expires in April; staff described two main options: negotiate a renewal with Waste Management or solicit competitive proposals. Staff said prices for collection have risen substantially in recent years because of higher diesel and recycling costs and said either path will likely produce higher fees for residents. Staff also described service elements the city currently purchases — weekly collection that includes one large bulk item per week, household hazardous-waste and electronics pickup by request, and provision of carts — and warned that changing providers would require time for a new company to acquire carts and schedule equipment.
Council discussion focused on due diligence and risk. Some councilmembers said they were satisfied with Waste Management’s performance and extra services; others emphasized the need to compare regional pricing and experience from nearby cities. Staff said an RFP could be released as soon as next week, with a pre‑submission meeting in February and proposals returned in March so the council could act before the contract expires in April.
There was no formal roll-call vote on a contract award at the meeting. Council consensus as recorded in the discussion instructed staff to issue an RFP, solicit bids from regional providers, and report back to the council for a March decision window.
Next steps: staff will post the RFP to the city website, email major regional haulers, schedule a pre‑submission meeting, and return to the council with proposals and a recommended timeline.
