Colona committee approves Lakeshore Recycling Systems contract amid debate over missed-pickup standards and service details

The committee advanced an agreement with Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) for citywide refuse and recycling services through July 31, 2031, after extended discussion about service standards and resident-facing features.

Discussion centered on a provision that would trigger corrective steps if the contractor recorded a specified number of verified missed collections in consecutive weeks. A council member argued the draft threshold (10 verified misses in a week for three consecutive weeks) was too strict and proposed raising it to 25 to align with benchmarks used by other providers. Joe, identified in the transcript as a company representative, said the firm’s internal target is about 1% missed pickups and that the industry standard approaches 3%.

The council clarified that missed-pickup complaints must be verified — by truck cameras, records or other evidence — before they count toward breach language in the contract. LRS said it will provide a local phone number routed to its facility in Atkinson for Colona residents (rather than a distant call center) and will implement a text-notification service for service disruptions within 90 days of the agreement.

Staff and the company also discussed operational details: collection hours are specified as 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., the contract provides each resident with one free can (additional cans available at $5), and certain residents with disabilities can receive backdoor service by contacting the company. The city said residents who previously paid rental fees for cans should contact the city to discuss refunds or adjustments.

After debate, the committee approved moving the contract forward (final ordinance and rate adjustments to be addressed in a future ordinance). The committee recorded a roll-call vote and the motion passed with the majority present.