Greenwood aldermen discuss sanitation contract

April 03-- Apr. 3--The future of sanitation services in Greenwood was a top priority for the Greenwood City Council on Monday.

During its meeting March 4, the council approved a motion to terminate its contract with Altes Sanitation and rebid it, with an effective date for the new contract of June 1. The council voted 3-3, with Mayor Doug Kinslow breaking the tie.

Greenwood has a contract with Altes Sanitation for three years, which began in September 2017.

"So what we did was, by the council's discussion and approval of doing so, we initiated the 30-day (notice), but we gave them until June 1 to be finished, if you will," Kinslow said. "I've not heard from Altes Sanitation. They are still currently picking up our trash."

After 30 days, Kinslow said, Altes Sanitation can be finished with providing its services to the city, or the company could stay until June 1. Tammy Briley, executive assistant to the mayor/human resources, said the letter was mailed to Altes Sanitation on March 15.

Among those in attendance Monday were Jason Fitzgerald of Central Arkansas Recycling and Disposal Services, Heath Borum and Virgil Smith of MSG Waste & Refuse, and Kevin Gardner with Orion Waste Solutions. Kinslow said after the March 4 meeting he informed Altes Sanitation by telephone of the decision that was made then. City Attorney Mike Hamby provided a letter for the city to send to Altes Sanitation through Kinslow's office.

Kinslow said the city's sanitation contract is missing certain details Fitzgerald, Borum, Smith and Gardner seem to believe should be in it. This includes a one-year lockout for the sanitation vendor, meaning the company cannot approach the city in the first year once the contract is signed for any rate increases. Penalties for situations such as a lack of service, bad service or things going wrong in the pickup of trash are also not mentioned in the contract.

"And I understand from talking to these gentlemen because they've been all very upfront with me and I appreciate that conversation with all of you ...," Kinslow said. "They've all called me and talked to me, and they know that we've not gone out for bid, that they're all showing interest, and I told them if I were them, I would come to council and get in front of you guys and let you put a name with a face."

Other than the lack of the two aforementioned features, Kinslow said he believes the city sanitation contract is "pretty good." The City Council was given the opportunity to ask the company representatives questions during the discussion.

The aldermen on Monday approved a motion to pass the third reading of an ordinance providing standards for possession, storage, transporting, handling and use of explosive material, as well as establishing certain conditions relative to detonation of explosive material.

The next regular Greenwood City Council meeting will be May 6.

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