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Cortland council withdraws proposed five-year refuse contract after questions on bidding, recycling carts
Summary
Facing public complaints about missed pickups and council concerns that a proposed five-year refuse contract was not competitively bid, the Cortland City Council withdrew Ordinance O-67-25 and directed staff to re-advertise the contract using prior bid language to include recycling-cart specifications.
The Cortland City Council on Dec. 1 withdrew a first-reading ordinance that would have authorized a five‑year refuse removal contract with Browning Ferris Industries of Ohio Inc., doing business as Public Services of Youngstown, after council members and residents pressed for a competitive rebid and clearer specifications for recycling service.
Council introduced Ordinance O‑67‑25 as a first reading. Multiple council members and residents questioned whether the proposal had been publicly bid and whether specification changes — chiefly the addition of citywide recycling carts — had effectively limited the pool of qualifying vendors. A council member noted the city had rejected all bids on Aug. 19, 2024 under Ordinance O‑58‑24 and argued that, in that context, the contract should be rebid.
Residents described missed recycling pickups and litter from trucks. Chris Mattis, a resident who spoke during public comment, said, “Every week, I'm picking stuff up in front of my house,” and asked the city to investigate service problems. Resident Sydney Hovis asked about the timing of the last bidding process and whether other firms had sufficient lead time to prepare competitive proposals.
Staff explained the city delayed awarding a contract because it sought a rate structure that would include new recycling carts for all residents; staff said only one bidder from the earlier procurement — Republic Services — had offered the cart option. That negotiation, staff said, was intended to ensure carts were provided citywide rather than to limit competition. City staff also told residents to report missed pickups so the contractor could investigate equipment or driver issues for specific addresses.
After extended questions and public comment, the ordinance sponsor formally withdrew O‑67‑25 and directed staff to prepare legislation to advertise the bid using language from the prior solicitation so other vendors could respond. Staff said the city will return with legislation to advertise for bids at the next council meeting.
The council’s action halts immediate adoption of a new refuse contract while the city reworks the solicitation to address council and resident concerns.
