Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Westfield to negotiate six‑year residential trash contract with Waste Management
Summary
City administration recommended negotiating a six‑year contract with Waste Management after a competitive RFP; council authorized staff to negotiate and return a contract for resolution at the next meeting.
The City of Westfield authorized city administration on a voice vote to negotiate a six‑year contract with Waste Management for residential solid waste, yard waste, recycling collection and disposal, the city council decided at its regular meeting.
John Rogers, the city—s director of enterprise development, summarized the competitive RFP process and recommended Waste Management as the administration—s preferred vendor. "At this time, we would recommend Waste Management and I am requesting authorization to move forward and negotiate a 6 year agreement for your consideration next month," Rogers said.
The administration said three firms submitted proposals and staff evaluated them on pricing, service quality and overall value to residents. Rogers told the council Waste Management submitted the lowest bid but noted the price will be higher than many residents have paid under the city—s long relationship with a previous hauler. He and other staff and council members said the city expects to include measurable performance metrics and contractual accountability provisions during negotiations so residents can be compensated for missed service.
A city legal adviser reminded the council that the eventual contract award must be approved by resolution. "It must be in the form of a resolution," the legal adviser said. The council made a motion to allow the administration to negotiate with Waste Management and to bring the negotiated contract back for formal approval at the next meeting; the motion carried on a voice vote.
The council and staff said a multi‑year term is intended to give both the city and the vendor rate predictability; staff also said a longer term produced a price decrease in the bid package and aligned Westfield—s schedule with neighboring jurisdictions. Specific contract terms, including escalation clauses, customer rates and the proposed performance metrics, were not finalized and will be the subject of the next meeting when the resolution is presented.
Votes at the meeting were recorded as a voice vote; the council approved the motion to negotiate with Waste Management.
