(News-Herald file)
Kirtland’s solid waste and recycling contract is set to expire on Dec. 31, and City Council is considering a proposal from Waste Management to continue offering those services over the next five years.
The recommendation came from council’s Service Committee, which determined that the company provided “the lowest and best” of four bids. A resolution accepting the company’s bid was introduced at the Sept. 18 council meeting and sent to second reading.
According to the bid documents attached to the resolution, Waste Management will charge $13.35 per month for weekly curbside collection in 2024, increasing annually to reach $15.62 in 2028. Recycling prices will begin at $3.85 per month in 2024 and increase each year to $4.50 in 2028.
The bid documents also reference a 5 percent discount for seniors 65 and older.
Other provisions address collection from city facilities and container services.
The proposed legislation states that the city and company may choose to extend the contract for an additional two years.
The recommendation came after representatives from the two lowest bidders, Waste Management and Chardon-based Dumpster Bandit, spoke at the Sept. 6 council meeting.
Dumpster Bandit quoted prices of $13.50 per month for solid waste and $4.50 per month for recycling services each year through 2028.
Councilman Ron Fenstermaker said that the committee considered “the service equipment and innovations and things like that that Waste Management provides to our residents,” adding that this included “the trucks, the safety, lack of complaints.”
Council President Joe Smolic also referenced the company’s cameras. At the Sept. 6 meeting, Waste Management representative Vince Crawford said that the company uses cameras for “service verification” and recording when drivers engage in “an evasive action.”
Crawford also cited the company’s experience in cities including Geneva and Mentor, adding that it has served Kirtland for 15 years.
“The bid doesn’t specify that the award has to go to the cheapest,” he said. “I know we’re not the cheapest. I think we have a lot of reasons why we’re not the cheapest. We have a lot of extra innovations. A lot of additional things that we provide to residents.
“But, the bid does specify that it goes to lowest and best, and I do believe that Waste Management is best as far as the value of what we can offer the residents.”
According to the proposed legislation, Kirtland and Waste Management entered into a five-year solid waste and recycling contract in 2013. The contract was extended for an additional five years in 2018.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 2. It will start at 7 p.m. at Kirtland City Hall, 9301 Chillicothe Road.
