Kennewick council debates 10-year Waste Management contract extension; keeps leaf pickup in draft terms

Kennewick City Council on Tuesday reviewed a proposed 10‑year extension of the city’s franchise agreement with Waste Management and gave staff direction to include curbside leaf collection in the final draft to return for council action on Oct. 7.

City solid-waste staff and Waste Management representatives presented the amended and restated contract for solid-waste services, explained the proposed rate schedule and answered council questions about recycling, contamination enforcement, transfer-station gate fees and the franchise’s “free-dump” coupon program.

John Cowling (city staff) introduced Waste Management panelists Tyler McKay and Zach Stavros and city representative Martin Nelson, and said the current contract ends at the end of 2025. “We’re going to do this quick follow-up on the contract extension with WM … and the proposed contract titled the amended and restated contract for solid waste services was part of your packet,” he told the council.

Key contract features presented to council include a 10-year extension, a phased rollout of 96‑gallon recycling carts (with a 35‑gallon option available for customers who prefer a smaller container but at the same rate class), and the intent to discontinue the city’s separate curbside leaf collection IF council did not direct otherwise. Rates in the draft schedule show an increase phased over 2026 and 2027; after 2027, prices would be adjusted using the Bureau of Labor Statistics index for Water and Sewer and Trash Collection Services (CPI for that category).

The presentation noted an administrative payment back to the city equivalent to 1% of gross Waste Management revenue to cover city administration of waste-related services; staff estimated that would amount to roughly $200,000 per year (the current contract returns about $80,000 annually under the existing terms). Council asked for details on that calculation.

Several council members pressed Waste Management on contamination controls and enforcement for recycling. Waste Management representatives described driver- and truck-mounted camera systems that can document contamination at pickup, an education-first approach, and possible contamination fees or one-time assessments where contamination is persistent.

Council members also debated the city’s free-dump coupon program and transfer-station gate fees. Staff told the council the free‑dump program costs about $1.3 million annually; about 0.8% of customers used all available free dumps in the most recent reporting (staff estimate roughly 200 heavy users of the full allowance). Council discussed alternatives — keeping six free dumps (current level), returning to twelve, or eliminating the program; several members argued for retaining the six coupons and restoring curbside leaf collection as a separate modest cost. One council member proposed the franchise agreement explicitly address gate-fee volatility so residents do not face sudden increases at the transfer station; staff said the gate fee at Columbia Ridge Landfill/transfer station is set by Waste Management and currently runs about $58 for up to roughly 680 pounds.

Multiple council members said they want the leaf program restored. Mayor Potentrelli, among others, said the modest per-household cost (staff noted an estimate of about 14¢–16¢ per household) justified continuing a limited curbside leaf pickup. Council member Trumbo and others emphasized the city negotiates with a single franchise provider — a monopoly for local curbside service — and urged that the final contract protect residents by including clear terms for free-dump allowances and gate-fee handling.

Several operational service questions also arose, including complaints about Waste Management’s customer service sign-up process; company representatives said they are working to improve online and phone enrollment reliability.

Council did not take a formal vote at the workshop. Staff said they will revise the draft contract to reflect council direction (including reinstating the leaf collection) and will return to council for formal action at the regular meeting on Oct. 7, 2025. The draft contract and summary of changes will be part of the public-notice process required before approval.