AB - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, November 26, 1997 Plan to contract out trash collection gets tossed out By JEFF NAGEL THE CITY of Terrace won’t privalize residential garbage pickup after all. But the decision Friday to reject the idea came after an unusual turn of events in which city councillor David Hull first submitted his own business proposal that ap- peared destined for success only to withdraw it at the Jast minute, Hull’s proposal was under his business name of Kermode Waste Systems and would have cost the city $126,536 per year. That figure was well under the city’s present cost of $206,000 a year to provide residential garbage pickup. And it was also lower than three competing bids the city received — Riverside Disposal at $186,000 a year, Canadian Waste Services at $194,451 and North Pacific Industrial at $286,000. Director of engineering Stew Christensen’s memo had recommended awarding the contract to Kermode Waste Systems, provided the new company came up with a $20,000 bid bond. And he recommended the city go with an option that would have seen the city impose a three-bag per week limit, with a 50-cent sur- charge on each bag after that. That option, which would also have involved com- postable materials picked up, would have further reduced the price to the city down to $105,090, But that all changed on Friday when Christensen told a committee of council- ‘David Hull lors that Hull had submitted a letter just 30 minutes be- fore the meeting withdraw- ing his low bid. Because of that, Christensen said, he was recommending the city not privatize the city’s residen- tial garbage collection. “IT can’t see any good rea- son for it,” Christensen said. Mayor Jack Talstra agreed that the change in bids made the decision ‘‘a lot easier.’’ “T think we’ve got an ex- cellent service out there right now,”’ councillor Val George added. George said the minor saving of choosing one of the remaining bidders would not be worth the city’s loss of control over the service. He said private companies in the garbage business often come in with low bids initially to get ihe service. “Once they've got you over the barrel in an irrever- sible situation, then they jack the fees,” he said. _ hear Hull bad left the com- mittee room prior to the dis- cussion of the bids, declar- ing himself in conflict of in- terest. He won't say exactly why he withdrew his proposal, only that it was based on a number of business factors. “Pm a businessman, I’m forever looking at op- portunities to bid on things all over the countryside,’’ Hull said. “‘My personal business reasons and ac- tivities made it so I chose to withdraw my proposal.” Christensen said Hull has agreed to discuss some of his ideas for more efficient service with cily administra- tion for possible intemal use by the city to cut costs. Union representatives who feared layoffs if the city had privatized garbage pickup were relieved. “Tm glad to hear what | 2” said CUPE Local 2012 representative John Rosenberg following the meeting. ‘“We’ve always told administration we're open to any suggestions they come up with.” But Rosenberg was not impressed that a city coun- cillor was tempted to try to get in business with the cily. “It’s distressing to see that one of the councillors wanted to get involved with operations of the city,”’ he said. “I deem it a conflict of interest. He would effective- ly be his own boss.”” Hull’s low-ball proposal would have come in cheaper because it would have used just a single one-man truck, instead of the two one-man.’ trucks the city now uses, UNBC body count rises past 3,000 THE UNIVERSITY of Northem BC has broken past the 3,000 level. As of the end of September 3,024 students were enrolled, compared with 2,696 last year — a 13.7 per cent increase. Of those students, 56 per cent came from northern B.C., 30 per cent from the south, eight per cent from the rest of Canada and six per cent from overseas. There’s a big increase in graduate num- bers. Over 20 per cent more students are studying at the masters and doctoral level. The first doctoral program Natura] dents are registered, There arc 66 international students at the university, including-the first students from Rumania and Belgrade, And international students participating in a stu- Resources and Environmental Studies — began this semester. Four stu- dent exchange with UNBC’s partner in- stitutions in Sweden, Scotland, Japan, Rus- sia and Finland. That’s good news for northern students. Their education experience can be ¢n- hanced by meeting other students from around the world. “‘T can study in my home town, but still gain the experience of going away to a uni- — a Phd in versity by mixing with people from around the world,”’ said one student, About 250 students are studying with the assistance of scholarships and bursaries. The average award is about $1050, Nearly 300 students are taking part in UNBC’s co-op education program, which there are 12 month. provides work experience for student. Over 125 students were placed in jobs over the summer and 33 began work terms last _ NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT #5 covered. Our team of When it comes to service, Northern Savings has all the bases THE NORTHERN SAVINGS TEAM Fast, friendly service FREE FANNY There was also some con- fusion among councillors over how quickly the city had moved to issue a call for proposals. ‘7 don’t recall asking for a forma] tender,’’ Talstra said. “I do recall us asking for costs.” ‘Tl thought we were still in the very initial stages,’? added councillor = Val George, saying he became “quite concemed’’ when he saw a call for proposals had already been issued. The decision to issue a call for proposals was in past council minutes, but was apparently overlooked by those council members. hakke City director of enginecr- ing Stew Christensen says councillor David Hull did nothing wrong in secking to do business with the city. James W. Radelet RADELET & COMPANY Barristars & Solicitors Tax Law+ Trusts* Corporate & Commerclal 4930- 1075 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, 8.0. 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Applications Available At 4641 Keith Avenue, Terrace, B.C. AUTOMOTIVE & INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY F AUTON PARTS & SERVICE CENTRE 3|2) - 635-6334 ERVICE AT YOUR _. Terrace City Employees _.. are proud of the work we do! From garbage pick-up, and water works service specialists can help you with ali your banking transactions, on everything from investment advice to providing financing for a new home or car, Meet the team that knows how to play the service game. Drop into Northern Savings today. NORTHERN SAVINGS Terrace Community Branch e 4702 Lazelle Avenue © 638-7822 PACK Open a new account before December 3, 1997 and as @ gesture of aur appreciation we'll give youd handy Northern Savings fanny pack. Meet the team today.* ‘Cannot be combined with other pronmational. offers. to snow removal and inspections. We're proud of the quality of work ‘we do and happy that many Terrace residents show their appreciation every day. THANKS TERRACE! CUPE local 2012 - Terrace City Workers.