Only a handful of people attended a public information session on Jefferson City's most recent trash proposals with few questions being asked.
City staff held the informational session Tuesday night as an opportunity for people to ask or submit questions or comments on the recently unveiled bids for solid waste services and the city staff recommendation for a 10-year, exclusive contract with the city's current provider Republic Services, also known as Allied Waste.
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.
Earlier this month, the city made public the bids from Allied Waste and Waste Corporation of America on the city's trash service moving forward.
Proposals from Allied and WCA contained rates lower than what residents, and many businesses, are currently paying. However, surprisingly, that lower rate did not come with much change in service.
An evaluation committee made up of Janice McMillan, director of planning and protective services; Bill Betts, director of IT and finance; and Matt Morasch, director of public works, recommended the City Council proceed with a 10-year, exclusive contract with Allied Waste.
At the session Tuesday, Marjorie Beenders, who has been working with 38 businesses known as the Jefferson City Commercial Trash Alliance seeking an open market for commercial businesses, said she was glad to see the lower rates, but didn't understand how the rates were able to be lowered that much.
"I'm delighted to see the rates have been lowered," Beenders said. "But I'm just curious how they can do it."
Beenders said the lower rates prove the point of the businesses - that competition leads to lower rates for all.
Third Ward Councilman Bob Scrivner said the lower rates also may be the product of a tougher City Council than that of six years ago. Scrivner said the council made Allied understand there was no guarantee for continued service.
"I think this council was tougher than the last council," Scrivner said. "And I was on both."
Scrivner said the lower rates also may come from the expertise both Allied and the city now have on how to perform the service; expertise they didn't have in 2009.
"We didn't know what we didn't know," Scrivner said.
McMillan said Allied also had to make a substantial investment six years ago to start the service and that same investment isn't needed to continue the already existing service.
After about 20 minutes of discussion, the session ended as most in attendance began to leave after having their questions answered.
McMillan said the council is expected to take up a resolution at its Dec. 8 meeting to choose a solid waste provider, with contract approval expected later in December or early January.