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Council selects Express Waste for city trash contract after RFQ and interviews
Summary
After a months‑long review and interviews, the council authorized staff to proceed with Express Waste Services’ proposal for residential trash collection, citing Express’s operational commitments (on‑street supervisors, dedicated customer service and a performance bond) and an introductory pricing approach. The move follows widespread complaints about the current provider.
The St. Clair Shores City Council authorized staff to move forward with Express Waste Services’ proposal for residential refuse collection after a formal RFQ and in‑person interviews. Administration and members of the council’s trash‑contract subcommittee said Express offered an operational plan and pricing package intended to restore reliable service after repeated problems with the incumbent.
Why Express: The committee considered three firms that returned RFQs (Priority, Express and Waste Management). Waste Management proposed an all‑cart automated program that would require citywide operational changes and was not considered a near‑term fit. Priority, the current contractor, and Express were interviewed. Committee members said Express presented a staffed plan (two on‑street supervisors, multiple dedicated customer-service representatives), route and logistics innovations to separate commercial/municipal pickups from residential routes and a willingness to offer an 18‑month introductory discount while building capacity. Council members also referenced a requirement for a performance bond.
Costs and terms: Council discussion noted Express’s 18‑month introductory arrangement will cost slightly more in the short term than Priority’s extension offer but that the committee judged Express’s operational commitments and the prospect of five‑year continuity as better long‑term options. One council member cited a committee calculation that the 18‑month shift equates to roughly $0.60 per household per month over the comparison period. The committee emphasized building a more reliable contract and the ability to go back out to bid if Express fails to perform; staff said contract language and a performance bond will be finalized for council review before implementation.
What residents said: Several residents testified during audience participation about repeated missed pickups, yard‑waste delays and customer‑service hold times; administration said the city will coordinate dump‑site payments directly to mitigate vendor cash‑flow issues that can disrupt service. Express’s Jeff Rizzo addressed the council and said his team looks forward to serving the city and regaining resident trust.
Next steps: Staff will finalize contract language and operational details (including coordination with the landfill/dump site payments and the vendor’s leasing plan for trucks) and return to council with the final agreement for formal execution. The committee recommended beginning transition planning immediately so the new operator can stage trucks and staff in time for the contract start.
