CWS general manager says council chairman snubbed him
When Council Chairman Terry Authement introduced a resolution to seek proposals for a new solid waste contract instead of awarding a renewal to Coastal Waste Services, there was one notable absence at the meeting – CWS General Manager Gus Bordelon.
Bordelon, whose company asked the parish in May to extend their contract until 2015 and increase the monthly rate by 95 cents, said that he was called at 4:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting, which made it impossible for him to attend because he lives in Slidell.
Council meetings begin at 6 p.m.
“He called me and told me that he was putting in a resolution to seek proposals for garbage collection,” Bordelon said. “He said that he forgot to call me earlier, but I know that representatives from two other companies were at the meeting.
“I just think games are being played.”
Authement admits to calling Bordelon at 4:30 p.m. and said that he apologized for the short notice. He said that it was not intentional.
“I told my secretary to call some companies so that they could have representatives at the meeting,” he said. “When I talked to her later in the day, she said she didn’t remember me asking her to call Coastal Waste.
“It was not something that was done intentionally and I take all the blame for Coastal Waste not getting a call earlier.”
Authement said that a representative from SDT was called at 1:30 p.m. on July 6 and one from SWeeDee was notified at noon. Both companies are interested in submitting proposals to become the parish’s garbage collector when Coastal Waste’s contract expires in 2010.
“When I spoke to Gus, he told me that he needs a couple days notice before showing up to a meeting,” Authement said. “But the two other representatives were called that day and made it to the meeting that evening.”
Though Authement’s resolution failed at the council’s July 6 meeting because of concerns that the public wasn’t given advance notice, it will come up for discussion again on July 20.
At the heart of the matter is CWS’ request that the council extend its contract for another five years after it expires in 2010. CWS has held the contract since 2006.
In return, Bordelon said that CWS will provide new garbage carts to every citizen 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.
“Before we had the contract, Waste Management had serviced St. Charles Parish for 10 years, and when we took over the contract, everyone in the parish was left with Waste Management garbage carts,” Bordelon said. “Ninety percent of the issues we have now are cart related and it would be better for everyone if we provided new carts.”
Bordelon said that CWS needs the rate increase and extension now to cover the $1 million 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.
Bordelon cited Slidell, which pays $14.96 for two times a week service, Covington, which pays $15.57 for service one time a week, St. Bernard, which pays $20 for service two times a week, Tangipahoa, which pays $14.95 for one time per week service, and Lafourche, which pays $18.42 for twice a week service that doesn’t include carts.
Coastal Waste currently picks up garbage in St. Charles Parish twice a week.
“What we’re offering is really a good deal,” Bordelon said.
However, Authement said some of those numbers are misleading.
“St. Bernard does pay $20 per month for service, but Coastal Waste bid on the project and wanted to charge $28 per month,” he said. “Independence pays $8.99 per month for service, and Coastal Waste was fourth in the bidding process at $14.83 a month.”
Authement said that hidden charges, such as transporting garbage to River Birch – which is near the St. Charles Parish line – are why certain areas are paying more for garbage collection.
“I really think Gus should be applauded for his leadership, because in a letter to the council he told us to take a hard look at other parishes and cities throughout Louisiana,” Authement said. “What I have found shows that seeking proposals could save this parish a lot of money.
“It’s free to do and it doesn’t hurt to see what’s available.”
Another way that the parish could save money, Authement said, is by buying its own garbage carts.
“With that rate increase, Coastal Waste is saying that it would cost almost $1.4 million over their seven year contract to buy new carts,” he said. “I called the manufacturer of their carts and they said it would cost a little over $700,000.
“I don’t have a horse in this race. I just want to see if there is any way we can save our constituents money.”
Authement said that residents should contact their council representative and let them know what they think about Coastal Waste’s offer.
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