Two garbage companies told St. Charles Parish Council members that they would not only sign a service contract at the end of Tuesday’s Contract/Finance and Administrative Committee meeting, but would hold to that rate two years from now.
That’s when the parish’s current provider, Coastal Waste Services, would reach the end of their contract.
The meeting was held largely due to the fact that CWS made a request in May that the parish extend its contract for another five years after it expires at the end of 2010. In return, CWS General Manager Gus Bordelon said that the company would provide new garbage carts to every resident in the parish at a rate increase of 95 cents per household per month.
The increases would go into effect immediately, and the rate would be locked in for seven years. The only way the monthly charge will rise, Bordelon said, would be for cost-of-living increases.
Bordelon said that CWS needs the rate increase and extension now to cover the cost of the new carts. Even with the rate increasing from $11.71 to $12.66 per month, Bordelon said that residents in St. Charles Parish will still have cheaper rates than most nearby communities.
Council Chairman Terry Authement then introduced two resolutions in July to seek proposals for a new solid waste contract instead of awarding a renewal to CWS. Though both failed, a committee meeting was called for Aug. 11 to give other companies a chance to speak on the matter.
SWeeDee spokesman Bill Frey was the first to offer to sign a contract the night of the meeting and said that his company could beat Coastal’s renewal rate of $12.66 per month. Frey said SWeeDee would hold to that lower rate when CWS’ contract expires, only allowing for cost-of-living increases.
SDT owner Sidney Torres made a similar offer, and even said that if the parish signed a contract with his company that night, he would offer free recycling.
“I will guarantee a price and I will stand behind it,” Torres said.
However, Bordelon countered both by saying that they don’t know enough facts about the parish, such as how many pounds of garbage are collected, to make such an offer.
“I would never come out here and shoot out a number from the hip like that,” he said.
Bordelon also noted that CWS beat out SWeeDee in 2006 to get St. Charles Parish’s garbage contract, and said that if the parish wanted to seek proposals now, he would ask out of the contract early.
“St. Charles Parish is very important to us and we would bid on the project again if it went out for proposals,” he said. “Let the best man win.”
But several council members said that seeking proposals now would be premature.
Councilman Dennis Nuss said that the people he has talked to are happy with CWS’ service.
“Why do we keep on running this company through the mud?” he said.
Councilman Paul Hogan said that the parish should wait until six months before Coastal’s contract expires to seek proposals.
Parish President V.J. St. Pierre said he will take everything under advisement.
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