TC could save on trash fees

Region

November 30, 2010

BY BRIAN McGILLIVARY bmcgillivary@record-eagle.com The Record Eagle Tue Nov 30, 2010, 07:23 AM EST

TRAVERSE CITY — City residents could see collective savings of about $1 million a year on trash bills, based on bids received for city-wide trash collection.

Manistee-based Allied Waste provided the low bid among three haulers that recently submitted proposals to Traverse City and East Bay, Acme and Peninsula townships. The townships hoped to cash in on Traverse City's density in a multi-jurisdictional bid, but found themselves left at the curb.

Two bidders, Allied Waste and Waste Management, offered city residents substantial discounts if surrounding townships weren't included in the deal. Allied's bid appears to be lowest at $9.75 a month for weekly trash and recycling pick-up, as well as a monthly collection of one bulky item.

That cost would jump to $11.22 a month if the three townships are included.

"Early in the process we talked with the townships and told them to expect the city to be economically rational and not expect the city to bear any extra burden on their behalf," City Manager Ben Bifoss said. "I think they understand that."

Bifoss said the average price paid in the city is $18 a month for trash service. The city's trash committee will review bids next week and Bifoss said he expects city commissioners to discuss proposals in December before they make a decision in January. No specific meeting dates have been set.

American Waste came in third in the city at $10.37 a month, regardless of whether the townships are included. Without the city in the package, the townships' price would be $11 a month, if the township does the billing and $12 if the hauler bills residents.

Peninsula Township Supervisor Rob Manigold said local governments received solid price quotes, but he'd "be surprised" to see the city join the townships because those governments have different interests.

Manigold, Acme Supervisor Wayne Kladder and East Bay Supervisor Glen Lile all said it appears American Waste offers the best deal for townships.

City and township officials cautioned they continue to analyze options, as well as inflation factors and fuel surcharges included in the complex proposals for five-year contracts.

All bids give residents a choice between two sizes of trash totes, or bag service plus curbside recycling and monthly pick-up of one bulk item.

The city and townships would use ordinances or franchise agreements to require each residential home or apartments of four units or less to use the chosen hauler.

Allied and Waste Management bids require all residents to participate in curbside recycling, including those using bag service. Allied would charge $2.80 a month for recycling to city bag users. American Waste would charge $6 a month to bag users. Bulky item pick-up would be included in both.

American Waste also offered to keep its drop-off recycling bins in the three townships for the full contract term at no additional charge. The county currently pays American Waste for the bins, but won't renew a contract that expires Dec. 31.

Manigold said more people in Peninsula Township use recycling bins than use curbside recycling. American Waste told Manigold it would work with the township in such a way that not every resident would be required to pay for recycling.

"Not everybody pays for recycling, and now we would not have to take away from people their ability to be able to cut their costs," Manigold said.

East Bay will discuss the bids on Dec. 13, Lile said.

"The board's going to have to read the proposals over and figure out if the people want to have a single hauler or not," he said.

Kladder said he will assign a committee in Acme to go through bids and work out details before township board members see a final plan.

"I think it will be a good price for a lot of people and I think people will be interested," Kladder said. "If the people want it, great, and if they don't, we won't go that way."