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Sylvan Lake council approves two-year waste and curbside leaf-collection contract with Priority Waste
Summary
After a split vote, Sylvan Lake City Council awarded a two-year waste-hauling and curbside leaf-collection contract to Priority Waste, with final contract review by the city manager and city attorney; council raised equipment, reporting and performance-bond conditions during debate.
Sylvan Lake City Council voted 4–1 on Oct. 9 to award a two-year contract (with a possible five-year extension) to Priority Waste for residential waste hauling and curbside leaf vacuum collection.
The contract approval follows several meetings and competing proposals from Standard Waste and Priority Waste. Councilmember Zubrzycki moved to approve Priority’s bid; Mayor Cowper seconded the motion. The measure passed with Councilmember Clarke voting no.
City officials and Priority representatives told the council that Priority struggled initially after acquiring GFL’s local contract but now has the leaf vacuum equipment and many former GFL employees on staff. "We are 90% back on track," Priority representative Sam Caramagno said, describing operational adjustments and the acquisition of vacuum equipment and roll-off receivers for leaf collection.
Council debate focused on vendor capacity, equipment ownership, continuity of service and contract protections. Councilmember Clarke argued in favor of Standard Waste’s local focus but said the city must choose a contractor that can reliably deliver leaf collection; Clarke moved to award the contract to Standard Waste, a motion that failed 2–3 (Yes: Clarke, Segal; No: Cowper, Zubrzycki, Buchanan). Supporters of Priority emphasized equipment availability and a larger fleet.
Councilmembers also sought stronger contract reporting and performance guarantees. The contract includes a required performance bond (discussion referenced a $100,000 surety bond in the proposed terms) and liquidated-damage provisions for operational failures. Councilmember Zubrzycki requested that Priority provide weekly reports on homes served and leaf volume; Priority said it could provide that data and the city asked staff to include appropriate reporting requirements in final contract language.
The council instructed the City Manager and City Attorney to perform final review of Priority’s contract before execution. The item’s supporters said the two-year term allows the city to reassess longer-term arrangements after performance is evaluated.
Votes at a glance: the Standard Waste motion (moved by Councilmember Clarke, seconded by Councilmember Buchanan) failed 2–3. The Priority Waste contract (moved by Councilmember Zubrzycki, seconded by Mayor Cowper) passed 4–1 (Yes: Cowper, Segal, Zubrzycki, Buchanan; No: Clarke).
