TARE wants trash haulers to curb pollution Read more from this Tulsa World art

[Gonesouth1234]

I think this is along the same lines of keeping the streets clear after a snowstorm, or making sure that the water flows, let's not get into potholes on this thread.   
But what is wrong with the parameters of the  current contract? 
If the recycling pickups could be fine tuned, the contract with Tulsa Refuse, Inc. seems to be working well. I can't address any issues with the COT operated pickup in the nw quadrant of Tulsa, but I have not heard a lot of complaints regarding it.
Rebidding is an established part of any contract procedure, granted; but this is an example of higher taxes to come, IMHO.
This could be the next stormwater detention add on.
I couldn't find the last threat on garbage pickup; and feel it necessary to wave the flag on this one before Dewey tries to ram this one down our throats.


http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20110301_11_A9_Tulsas331996


TARE wants trash haulers to curb pollution


By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
Published: 3/1/2011  2:31 AM
Last Modified: 3/1/2011  6:02 AM

Tulsa's trash board is debating whether to require the next trash and recycling hauler to use compressed natural gas trucks, in part, to bolster the city's air-quality efforts.


"That's a lot of trucks going up and down the streets on a daily basis," board member William Bowles said during a recent special meeting of the Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy.

Member Michael Pierce noted that the city has plenty of Ozone Alert days during the summer and that there would be a lot of ramifications if Tulsa landed on the Environmental Protection Agency's so-called "dirty-air" list.

"We need to be a leader in this area," he said.

But the board is not ready to say yet whether it wants to require bidders to supply an entire CNG fleet or a partial one or whether it will simply award extra points in the bidding evaluation for those who do.

Members are working with consultants R.W. Beck on the bid documents to be released in the coming months.

Several of the board's long-term contracts, including hauling, will expire in the summer of 2012. Each of the new agreements is expected to last eight to 10 years.

The contracts are to be divided into four areas: trash and recycling collection, yard and bulky waste collection, recovery of energy (because the burn plant's contract will be up, too) and recycling processing.

Bidders can compete for one section or a combination.

Although the documents are still fluid and have not yet been approved
by the full board, there seems to be consensus in several areas.

Bids will be solicited for once-a-week and twice-a-week collection and once-a-week with optional twice-a-week service to determine the price differences. One of the board's goals is to move to unified service citywide.

Recycling would no longer be an optional service but based on voluntary participation.

The trash board might also stipulate that a person's trash and recycling collection occur on the same day.

If yard waste collection is done by another contractor, it also would be put on the same day.

The board is reserving the right to award yard and bulky-waste collection to city crews.

City crews collect trash for a small section of Tulsa known as the northwest quadrant, and it has been discussed that those employees could be used for yard and bulky waste pick up instead.

The city also is expected to move to a cart-based trash and recycling system, where households would be issued large containers.

Bidders would be required to provide specifications for 60- to 70-gallon and 90- to 100-gallon trash carts that customers could choose between and then a 90- to 100-gallon recycling cart.

Backyard collection would still be offered at an extra cost.

The board also is exploring requiring radio frequency identification technology on each of the trash carts and trucks to better track whose trash is picked up, as well as when and where it is taken.

One major change being eyed is to stop providing bulky-waste collection to residents at no extra cost.

Members agree that there should be a charge per collection, but they also are considering a base charge per household.

Pierce said his concern is that instead of paying a bulky-waste charge, people would resort to illegal dumping.

Finally, the board is considering spending $700,000 annually on public education and other matters during the first two or three years of the contracts to help smooth the transition.

Half of those funds would come from the board; the other half would be covered in different amounts by the contractors.

[RecycleMichael]

The current contract has been modified so many times that it can't be legally renewed again. This is a city contract that hasn't been rebid for 32 years. They have made many significant amendments and it's legality has been questioned.

No government contract should go over three decades without rebidding.

[Gonesouth1234]

Absolutely agreed.

But is it necessary for the TARE board to be exploring the additional requirement that haulers use only CNG powered units for their fleets?

And why exactly, if the current board members are as experienced as our honored Mayor has noted in his renomination bids, is it necessary to bring in a consultant? 

I know none of the members on the board, and my only dog in the fight is having contributed to the bill for years.  But to my way of thinking, this is not government being run on an efficient basis.

We all know that costs rise, and the trash service is a necessary item, and if I remember correctly, was being subsidized by other funds from the COT; but efficiency and economical operation don't seem to be the key operating
issues according to the article.

[RecycleMichael]

Most of the large trash companies have already converted their fleets to CNG. I have heard the cost adds about $20,000 to the price of the truck, but fuel savings make it back up in less than 50 months.

These are the three reasons I favor CNG trucks as part of any long-term city contract...

One, Tulsa is so close to failing air standards. Last year the regulatory ozone level measure in Tulsa was 84 parts per billion. The rules say 85 parts per billion. We are literally one billionth of a part from failing and going on the dirty air list. CNG is cleaner than diesel.

Two, natural gas is a strength of Oklahoma. We are the Saudi Arabia of this energy source. Natural gas demand is good for Oklahoma's economy.

Three, the best CNG refuse trucks are made here in Tulsa at Crane Carrier Company. They make trucks used all over America. Having a contractor buy 60 to 100 new trucks from a local company will means jobs right here in Tulsa.

[Hoss]

Most of the large trash companies have already converted their fleets to CNG. I have heard the cost adds about $20,000 to the price of the truck, but fuel savings make it back up in less than 50 months.

These are the three reasons I favor CNG trucks as part of any long-term city contract...

One, Tulsa is so close to failing air standards. Last year the regulatory ozone level measure in Tulsa was 84 parts per billion. The rules say 85 parts per billion. We are literally one billionth of a part from failing and going on the dirty air list. CNG is cleaner than diesel.

Two, natural gas is a strength of Oklahoma. We are the Saudi Arabia of this energy source. Natural gas demand is good for Oklahoma's economy.

Three, the best CNG refuse trucks are made here in Tulsa at Crane Carrier Company. They make trucks used all over America. Having a contractor buy 60 to 100 new trucks from a local company will means jobs right here in Tulsa.

And I believe UPS here in Tulsa has its entire fleet using CNG...might be wrong there, but I see most of their big trucks using it.

[TeeDub]

They want trash trucks to double as snow plows as well.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20110301_11_0_Counci644345


I would think all these restrictions would reduce the bidding pool to someone's particular favorite.   Sounds like someone is getting a deal.

[RecycleMichael]

The snow plow idea is not coming from TARE. It is coming from the city council.

[Gonesouth1234]

I am in favor of the CNB powered trucks, but for the individual companies that make up the current operating system of Tulsa Refuse, Inc.; it would appear that this could be a fly in the ointment for several who may not have the means to upgrade their trucks.

CNG is, IMHO, the coming thing, better and more reliable than electric vehicles, but not very useful at the moment due to the scarcity of filling stations.  It's a proven technology, but like most things of that nature, the cost of getting into it can be prohibitive up front.

And why is the TARE board exploring the placement of RFI chips on individual trash carts?  They are trash carts! 

Good idea, but RFIs on trash carts?

At the risk of sounding like Shadows, ". . too many people on the committee trying to build the horse that looks to much like a camel."

<<sigh>>, my government tax dollars at work.

[RecycleMichael]

Tulsa Refuse Inc. needs to buy new trucks. They have a fleet that is old and rusted. The only reason the trucks stay together is that the maggots are holding hands.

The reason why the contracts are for eight years in length is that the banks will loan them enough money to get all new trucks. Any bidder on this long term contract has already planned on buying new trucks if they win the bid.

[Gonesouth1234]

Tulsa Refuse Inc. needs to buy new trucks. They have a fleet that is old and rusted. The only reason the trucks stay together is that the maggots are holding hands.

The reason why the contracts are for eight years in length is that the banks will loan them enough money to get all new trucks. Any bidder on this long term contract has already planned on buying new trucks if they win the bid.

I tip the debate hand to Michael's side of the table.

But the thought of those maggots having a physical breakdown in front of the hacienda while the trash truck is slowly moving down the street while the carriers do their best to see how far they can throw the trash containers after emptying them is not a pretty picture.

Not really trying to debate the point, just discussing what I think could be a very costly point in a new contract bidding that might eliminate some who would like to bid.

Points well taken.

[Townsend]

So what's all this then?

http://www.newson6.com/story/15928054/tulsa-city-council-votes-to-change-trash-pickup-requirements?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The Tulsa City Council voted to change the requirements for trash collection in Tulsa, which could possibly disrupt a new contract for trash service.

The Council acted against the advice of their own attorney and an attorney representing TARE, the board that is handling negotiations for the new contract.

Councilor Rick Westcott, who led the debate on the changes, said he is trying to make sure TARE cannot make changes to the trash service the public does not want.

The council changed the current broad language on trash collection to say that residents can use any trash container of any size and that trash haulers must convert to CNG trucks within four years. The council added language stating that trucks are not required to install GPS units.


The TARE board, in proposals for the new contract, specified that haulers would supply trash containers in three sizes, with residents billed accordingly. The proposal also requires the winning bidder to use an exclusively CNG based fleet, with GPS units installed as a method of proving the routes are covered.

While the council acted to change the regulations, it's unclear whether their actions will impact TARE's contract process. TARE's attorney told the council their changes were likely too late to impact the process because the bids have already been received and they essentially are contracts waiting to be accepted.

TARE has retained legal counsel to handle issues with the Council, and several City Councilors said they're willing to take on a legal battle with TARE.

[Breadburner]

Lets make something simple a complicated mess.....