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Council allows Priority Waste ownership change after legal review; members urge service improvements
Summary
Frasier approved a contractual change-of-control amendment allowing Priority Waste to accept new capital investment and a majority owner, after the city attorney warned the contract limits the council's ability to unreasonably refuse; council members stressed service performance and competing bids when the contract next renews.
City Attorney Don Denalt briefed council on Priority Waste’s requested change of control after an outside investor sought a majority stake in the company. Denalt said the city’s contract contains a transfer-of-control clause and that council may not unreasonably withhold approval absent good cause; denying the request risks contract termination, litigation or service interruption.
Council members expressed frustration at past service problems and urged the new owners to improve operations quickly. Several council members said they will expect much stricter service performance and recommended the city time future contract renewals and bids well in advance so communities are not left scrambling for service vendors.
Council ultimately voted to approve the change-of-control amendment. Members said they will monitor performance and plan to put the garbage contract out to bid well before the next expiration date.
Ending: The amendment passed; council directed staff to monitor service metrics and prepare an advanced procurement plan when the contract approaches its next renewal.
