MONROE - In an ongoing plan to seek new options for garbage removal, the Monroe Common Council tweaked and adjusted the language of a request for proposals from trash and recycling collectors in an effort to hire a new company or continue with the status quo of collecting it via city employees.
The city began using municipal trucks and city staff to pick up garbage and haul it directly to Janesville in October 2015, after negotiations over whether to once again become members of the Green County Transfer Station officially ended in September of that year. The setup was meant to be run on a trial basis, but a year later, analysis of the cost and time persuaded city aldermen to continue the practice.
Trucks used to haul the garbage and pick up recycling materials were purchased in July 2013. Director of Public Works Al Gerber said two automated trucks and necessary carts were purchased for $950,000. Department officials estimated the life cycle of the trucks to be five years. The carts have 15 years of use.
A plan was proposed to purchase a new truck in 2019, replacing the one currently in use, which would become a back-up option. Assistant City Administrator Sam Liebert said the benefits of a change would be to make more staff available for other duties and eliminate the high cost of replacing those vehicles.
"Going to Janesville has been cheaper as a whole, but now those vehicles are starting to age, becoming more expensive," Liebert said.
Costs associated with the trucks, an estimated $350,000 expense, prompted reconsideration of the setup by the city. While a breakdown of costs shows the total cost of hauling garbage to Janesville directly comes at an expense of just under $89 per ton, a projection put forward by Advance Disposal within the last year estimates hiring the company would cost the city slightly less than $77 per ton.
During discussion at council proceedings Tuesday, alderman Michael Boyce, who said he had issues with the terminology in similar requests of the past, advocated for more time to collect proposed contracts and to decide the best course of action once council members had all of the information to choose between each option.
Through general consensus, the council decided to extend the deadline for companies to submit offers from April 2 to April 20 and to have discussion in the first council meeting of May. The idea would be to allow any possible company to start in July, though Boyce noted August as an option as well. Council member Jeff Newcomer was absent from the meeting.
Alderman Tom Miller opposed the idea, specifying that the work done by the Department of Public Works was consistent and convenient. He added that "very seldom do you ever get a contract where you don't have problems" and said he was worried any company might initially propose a lower cost only to increase the amount for services later.
Talk also turned to the duration of contracts. Boyce said he was worried five years would be too much of a commitment, while Alderman Richard Thoman said he was concerned over being dissatisfied with a company and locked into a contract. Liebert said contracts would include a clause allowing the city to leave if that were to happen. Council members agreed a specification of no fewer than three years was sufficient.
Liebert said he would work with City Administrator Phil Rath to amend the proposal.
The city began using municipal trucks and city staff to pick up garbage and haul it directly to Janesville in October 2015, after negotiations over whether to once again become members of the Green County Transfer Station officially ended in September of that year. The setup was meant to be run on a trial basis, but a year later, analysis of the cost and time persuaded city aldermen to continue the practice.
Trucks used to haul the garbage and pick up recycling materials were purchased in July 2013. Director of Public Works Al Gerber said two automated trucks and necessary carts were purchased for $950,000. Department officials estimated the life cycle of the trucks to be five years. The carts have 15 years of use.
A plan was proposed to purchase a new truck in 2019, replacing the one currently in use, which would become a back-up option. Assistant City Administrator Sam Liebert said the benefits of a change would be to make more staff available for other duties and eliminate the high cost of replacing those vehicles.
"Going to Janesville has been cheaper as a whole, but now those vehicles are starting to age, becoming more expensive," Liebert said.
Costs associated with the trucks, an estimated $350,000 expense, prompted reconsideration of the setup by the city. While a breakdown of costs shows the total cost of hauling garbage to Janesville directly comes at an expense of just under $89 per ton, a projection put forward by Advance Disposal within the last year estimates hiring the company would cost the city slightly less than $77 per ton.
During discussion at council proceedings Tuesday, alderman Michael Boyce, who said he had issues with the terminology in similar requests of the past, advocated for more time to collect proposed contracts and to decide the best course of action once council members had all of the information to choose between each option.
Through general consensus, the council decided to extend the deadline for companies to submit offers from April 2 to April 20 and to have discussion in the first council meeting of May. The idea would be to allow any possible company to start in July, though Boyce noted August as an option as well. Council member Jeff Newcomer was absent from the meeting.
Alderman Tom Miller opposed the idea, specifying that the work done by the Department of Public Works was consistent and convenient. He added that "very seldom do you ever get a contract where you don't have problems" and said he was worried any company might initially propose a lower cost only to increase the amount for services later.
Talk also turned to the duration of contracts. Boyce said he was worried five years would be too much of a commitment, while Alderman Richard Thoman said he was concerned over being dissatisfied with a company and locked into a contract. Liebert said contracts would include a clause allowing the city to leave if that were to happen. Council members agreed a specification of no fewer than three years was sufficient.
Liebert said he would work with City Administrator Phil Rath to amend the proposal.