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Council allows Ramco/Frontera waste franchise matter to move forward after administration and company clarify entity names
Summary
After public comment from the company owner and staff review, the council took up a previously tabled franchise amendment to change the company trade name for a local trash hauling franchise. Council voted to approve the measure on the merits while staff and the owner agreed to resolve documentation issues before final reading.
The City Council restored a previously tabled item on Sept. 15 related to a franchise amendment for local trash hauler operations and, after discussion with legal and solid‑waste staff and the company owner, approved moving the franchise matter forward.
Lede: Carlos Ramirez, owner/operator of Ramco Waste LLC (doing business as Frontera Waste), addressed the council during public comment asking that the council not indefinitely delay a name change request tied to his franchise agreement with the city. Ramirez said he had purchased equipment, obtained a state assumed‑name certificate and begun operations in July 2024 under the Frontera trade name.
Nut graf: Staff explained the city’s compliance concern: the municipal franchise and license conditions require clarity about which legal entity holds a franchise and how any DBA (doing business as) is registered. Staff said it issued a notice to cure when a second LLC name appeared connected to the operations; the owner explained the older entity had ceased operations and he was in the process of closing it.
Council action and staff recommendation: After staff and the city attorney confirmed the outstanding documentation was curable, the council agreed to take the item off the table and approve the franchise matter on second reading, subject to company compliance and final documentation for third reading. Council approved the motion by roll call/voice vote.
Clarifying details: Staff described the administrative options: (1) keep the franchise under the existing licensed LLC (Ramco Waste LLC) and accept Frontera as a DBA; (2) require a new franchise application under a separate LLC if the owner preferred that structure; or (3) have the owner dissolve or close the inactive entity and supply the paperwork. Ramirez told the council he would close the other company and comply with the city’s cure notice.
Ending: Council approved proceeding with the franchise on the condition that staff finalize the required documentation; the third reading and final administrative sign‑offs were expected to return to the council for confirmation.
