- April 24, 2024
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Waste Pro is one step closer to getting a new deal to haul Palm Coast’s trash for the next five years.
The Palm Coast City Council heard public input on the proposed contract Tuesday morning.
While there were few complaints against the proposed contract, residents did present ideas.
Jay Beggelman, of Palm Coast, raised the issue of digging through trash. Some used to make a living by rummaging through other people’s trash, he said.
“In these tough times, I was wondering if you could put something in the contract where it’s OK to pick the trash,” Beggelman said Tuesday.
City Manager Jim Landon confirmed that sorting through trash is illegal. In order for it to be legal, the city would have to change its ordinance.
Joe Cunnane, of Palm Coast, objected to the hazardous waste item in the contract. The proposed contract includes doorstep hazardous waste pickup. That would cost households 30 cents per month for the entire city, totaling $3.60 per household per year.
“We have a president who wants to spread the wealth and a council who wants to spread the expense,” Cunnane said. “This, to me, is wrong ... ”
According to Dianne Torino, risk and contract administration manager for the city, there are approximately 32,500 households in Palm Coast. Each household, even if a home is vacant, gets billed. The trash-collection service is sent through the city’s utility bill.
Residents are now paying $20.32 per month for trash collection. As a result of the bidding process, Waste Pro came in with a new bid of $18.47. If the City Council agrees to all the additions and subtractions — including switching the vehicles to compressed natural gas — each household would pay approximately $18.67, translating to a reduction of $1.65 from the current $20.32 per month.
A vote wasn’t cast at Tuesday’s meeting. At the Jan. 24 workshop, council members will finalize the details of the contract. Then, the City Council will vote to approve the contract at the first regular meeting in February.
City Councilman Jason DeLorenzo confirmed via text message Tuesday afternoon that he has returned the $500 donation he received from Waste Pro last year during his campaign. He intends to vote on the issue next month, he said.
For previous coverage of this story, click here.
