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Agency approves seven‑year Waste Management contract, switches to biweekly recycling
Summary
The Agency City Council voted unanimously to accept Waste Management's lower-cost Proposal One — a seven-year contract that moves recycling to bi-weekly pick-up with sorting in Des Moines and retains weekly bulk pick-up; the council also approved a buyback of previously sold $1 trash bag tags through Dec. 31.
The Agency City Council voted on Sept. 12 to accept Waste Management's Proposal One and enter a seven-year contract that would switch curbside recycling in Agency to bi-weekly collection and send recycling to a sorting facility in Des Moines. Pro Tem Mayor Samantha Ulin said Waste Management submitted two proposals; the council chose the lower-cost option after discussion of service differences and price.
Ulin explained the city has a 2009 resolution indicating recycling belonged to the Wapello County Recycling Center but said "there is no ordinance or law that would force Agency to take their recycling to them." The council recorded that Proposal Two — keeping recycling at the county center — was substantially more expensive. Both proposals include a 5.5% annual price increase; Waste Management proposed a seven-year term (the company indicated the minimum offered was three years).
Councilmember Steve O’Brien moved to approve Proposal One with the retention of weekly bulk-item pick-up; Councilmember Sara Jane Douglas seconded the motion. The roll call vote was unanimous.
The council also voted to repurchase previously sold $1 extra trash bag tags. Councilmember Jacoby Deshler moved the buyback, seconded by O’Brien; the council authorized a buyback window from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. The motion was approved unanimously.
Council discussion included concerns about enforcement and the condition of cans and lids; Deshler urged the city to hold Waste Management accountable for damaged or broken containers. No additional contractual conditions beyond the chosen proposal and term were recorded in the minutes.
