After a months-long process, Jefferson City officials are ready to move forward in the process to choose a new trash provider.
At the City Council meeting Monday, Janice McMillan, director of planning and protective services, said a work session will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9 where the proposals will be released and city staff will make their recommendation on a new provider. After the work session, the proposals and recommendations will be made available on the city's website.
McMillan said a public information session will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at City Hall where staff will be able to answer questions about the proposals and recommendations.
The city has been in the process of evaluating new bids, with the hopes of having a new contract in place by the end of the year.
In November 2009, the city entered into a six-year contract with Allied Waste for exclusive service to city residents. Though several companies had expressed an interest in bidding on the service, Allied was the only bid received by the city. An ordinance passed earlier that year made the service mandatory, and not subscribing to it is a violation of city code.
In other business, a bill to vacate Chestnut Street - from Dunklin Street to Atchison Street, to allow Lincoln University to create a pedestrian plaza - remained on the informal calendar Monday, as council members continue to work on the bill behind the scenes.
The bill was put on the informal calendar at the Oct. 19 meeting, after 54 people spoke on the issue. Of those who spoke, 36 were in favor of vacating the street and 18 were against. Of the 36 in support, a majority were either students or employees of Lincoln University, while a majority of those opposed were residents of the neighborhood.
Third Ward Councilman Bob Scrivner, who sponsored the bill, said he and 2nd Ward Councilman Rick Mihalevich were working on the agreement with City Attorney Drew Hilpert and Public Works Director Matt Morasch, and would send out a draft to all council members once it's ready.