By Jim Bloch
St. Clair has locked in what it considers to be manageable rate hikes by Waste Management over the next five years to collect and dispose of residential solid waste, recycling waste and composting.
The city council voted unanimously at its regular meeting on Jan. 22 to approve a five-year extension with the company, which has worked in the city since 2009.
The rates per household will increase just over 37 percent over the span of deal.
Residents now pay $17.78 per month for the waste pickup up service. The cost will jump by $6.36 in Year 5.
The current rate will stay in effect during the first year of the extension, Dec. 1, 2023-Nov. 30, 2024. The cost rises to $20.27 for Dec. 1, 2024-Nov. 30, 2025; $21.49 for 2026; $22.77 for 2027; and $24.14 in 2028.
Over the course of the agreements, residents will experience a move to large, wheeled carts for trash and recycling, and a shift to every other week pickup for recycling.
“At a mutually negotiated date yet to be determined, but most likely in Year Two of the amendment, WM will deploy 96-gallon carts for both trash and recycling to each residence in the city,” according to the contract extension. “When the carts are fully deployed, WM will provide literature to each household regarding proper procedures and an every other week service calendar for recycling services.”
The new carts are designed to be lifted and emptied mechanically, saving labor.
Some council members worried about the size of the carts. Would elderly residents be able to move the large carts to the curbs? Would a move to an elongated schedule for recycling pickup mean more flies and vermin? What happens when residents have more waste than can fit in the carts? Shouldn’t the city seek bids for the next five years of waste collection?
On Jan. 8, the city council tabled the contract extension.
On Jan. 22, City Superintendent Quentin Bishop had answers to many of the council’s questions.
First of all, residents may request smaller carts at 64 gallons.
Most companies are now going to a two week recycling pickup schedule, said Bishop.
“We started calling around,” said Bishop. “We have another quote that I received from a competitor… Their first year quote was just under the third year quote that WM is putting forward. Their fifth year is a $1.32 more than what WM’s is in the fifth year.”
The other company Bishop contacted asked him what the percentage markup was on the contract renewal.
“Anything less than 25 percent, you need to go for it,” the company representative told Bishop.
“What if I told you the first year was 14 percent and after that was six percent?” Bishop asked. “They said, I’m not quoting.”
Bishop recommended going with WM.
“I do believe we have a solid rate,” Bishop said. “I do believe we have a multi-year rate that’s going to put us in a great position. And I do believe they have enough tools and resources to adjust to the needs of our community members.”
“Thank you for the legwork,” said council member Micah Volz.
“What about objects that can’t fit in the cart?” asked resident Bill Klieman.
“They can be placed on the side of the cart,” said Bishop. “Large bulk items can be placed on the side as well.”
The council approved the contract extension 7-0.
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
