Sylvan Lake council approves Standard Waste contract after residents press for curbside leaf pickup

Sylvan Lake City Council on Wednesday approved a municipal contract with Standard Waste (Titan) to provide residential waste, recycling, yard waste and curbside leaf vacuuming, a change city leaders said was prompted by resident concerns about leaf pickup.

City Manager Martin told the council the change was driven by leaf-collection service: "This change is being discussed because Standard is willing to do the curbside leaf collection," he said, describing a short negotiation period that began after Priority Waste said it would not vacuum leaves. Martin said the disposal costs tied to leaf collection are built into the contract and estimated to amount to roughly $60 per household for the season.

Dan Garman, representing Standard Waste, outlined the company's equipment and staffing plans, saying the company has about "84 trucks, four residential trucks ready to use, and three more" and would supply leaf-vacuum service on four days per week during the season. Garman said Standard's trucks have cameras and that the company planned to use a staging area and roll-off containers to reduce travel and dump time.

Councilmembers asked about Standard Waste's residential experience and the ability to staff routes. Segal asked how the company would recruit and staff residential routes; Garman said the company has managers with decades of hauling experience and can add equipment as needed. Martin and Garman both cautioned that leaf collection is subject to weather, timing of residents placing leaves at the curb, and occasional equipment breakdowns.

Martin provided historical context: the city's vacuum leaf program began in 1985 after a burn ban, has changed vendors over time and in past seasons has cost roughly $52,000 to vacuum approximately 2,500 cubic yards of leaves. He said Standard agreed to the previously negotiated pricing and to a four-day-per-week pickup schedule (compared with the prior contractor's Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule), though operational challenges could require catch-up days.

Moved by Clarke and seconded by Buchanan, the council approved the agreement and instructed Martin and Attorney Schultz to finalize contract language. The vote was 4–0.

The approval restores curbside leaf vacuuming for residents but does not guarantee daily pickup; city staff and the contractor said schedules will be affected by weather, road construction and disposal logistics. The council did not set a new ordinance or fee change at the meeting; staff will return with final contract documents as they are completed.