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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Councilman files injunction to stop Flint mayor's garbage switch
Flint Council member Scott Kincaid addresses the media about the trash contracts at City Hall Friday, September 23, 2016 in downtown Flint.
Mark Felix | mfelix@mlive.com
Print Email Molly Young | myoung7@mlive.com By Molly Young | myoung7@mlive.com
on September 23, 2016 at 1:20 PM, updated September 23, 2016 at 1:22 PM
FLINT, MI -- A Flint city councilman says he filed an injunction seeking to stop Mayor Karen Weaver from hiring Rizzo Environmental Services for trash pickup in the city without approval of the council.
Councilman Scott Kincaid says he filed the injunction Friday, Sept. 23, after he and other council members learned through media reports that Weaver sent a letter to garbage hauler Republic Services saying its services were no longer needed for waste pickup in the city, despite the fact that the city has a contract with Republic through Nov. 11.
"I filed this morning in the circuit court an injunction to stop the mayor from implementing her letter and entering into an agreement with Rizzo without city council approval," Kincaid said.
In June, Weaver's administration asked the council to approve hiring a new garbage hauler, Rizzo Environmental Services, saying the company, with a five-year contract, bid $2 million lower than Republic.
Council members have argued the bidding process was flawed, and they questioned Rizzo's integrity after inquiring about potential ties to Canada and to former Flint Mayor Woodrow Stanley.
Council members say they believe the mayor is making deals with her friends, those who supported her campaign and those who support her administration.
"(Eight council members) support a three-year contract with Republic, because they are undoubtedly the lowest responsible bidder in that process," Kincaid said at a press conference Friday morning. "And this administration has commitments to people, that they are committed to give a five-year contract, to be able to comply with meeting those obligations of people that have worked in her administration, that supported her in her administration, that are getting paid by Rizzo company, and that is wrong."
Weaver, however, sent out a statement Friday morning saying she is doing what is best for residents, since she believes Rizzo will save the city money.
"The citizens of Flint elected me to serve and protect the health, safety, and well-being of all residents in the City. I took an oath to make decisions that are in the best interest of the citizens and the City of Flint and that includes being fiscally responsible. After months of consideration, negotiation and litigation, I am ready to move forward with a temporary appointment of the lowest responsible bidder to begin collecting waste in Flint and the lowest responsible bidder is Rizzo Environmental Services."
Weaver said Rizzo will begin waste collection services Monday, Sept. 26.
"We are working to ensure Flint residents receive uninterrupted service as the City transitions to Rizzo for solid waste collection," Weaver said in the statement. "My team and I are eager to get this matter resolved, so we can focus more on securing the resources Flint still needs to recover from the water crisis, increase economic development, and improve the overall quality of life for the people of Flint."
However, Kincaid and other council members say they don't believe the mayor can pay Rizzo, since there is no emergency and there is currently a contract in place with Republic.
"I don't believe there's a provision for them to get paid at this point ... I don't believe that the mayor has the ability to create a man-made emergency and use the emergency purchasing process to offer a contract to someone when there is no emergency," Kincaid said. |
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Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:25 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Watch Councilman Eric Mays question Wantwaz Davis' sobriety during trash debate
Mays asks Davis, 'Are you sober?' in argument over Flint trash
Print Email Molly Young | myoung7@mlive.com By Molly Young | myoung7@mlive.com
on September 23, 2016 at 5:50 PM, updated September 23, 2016 at 6:56 PM
FLINT TRASH
Watch Councilman Eric Mays question Wantwaz Davis' sobriety during trash debate
Councilman files injunction to stop Flint mayor's garbage switch
Garbage hauler challenges Flint mayor's attempt to cancel contract
State court of appeals says county judge wrong in Flint trash dispute
Both sides talking but still no decision on future of Flint trash pickup
FLINT, MI -- The debate over the city's garbage contract turned personal after a city councilman once accused of a drunken car crash confronted another potentially facing his own criminal case.
Flint City Councilman Eric Mays asked Councilman Wantwaz Davis if he would take a breathalyzer and if he was sober while Davis stated his opinion on Flint trash contracts after a press conference Friday, Sept. 23.
Six city council members held a press conference in Flint City Hall's dome Friday morning to assure Flint residents they would fight to keep Republic Services, and to announce that an injunction was filed in Genesee County District Court to stop the switch.
The conference came a day after Mayor Karen Weaver sent the company a letter saying its services were no longer needed, and gave the go-head to Rizzo Environmental Services to begin trash pick-up Monday morning, Sept. 26. |
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Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:33 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Mays is the only city councilman who supports Weaver's decision, and said he was not invited to Friday's press conference. He walked into the auditorium about half way through the announcement, and could be heard mumbling in disagreement as other members of city council talked on stage.
After the conference ended and as council members were filing out of the auditorium, Mays proclaimed to the media that he wanted to make a comment.
He alleged that the press conference was illegal and in violation of the Open Meetings Act because he was the only member of city council not invited.
He also wanted to maintain his support for Weaver and her decision to switch to Rizzo.
Some council members, including Davis, came back into the auditorium at times to argue with Mays.
When Davis began speaking, Mays talked over him: "Are you willing to take a breathalyzer, sir?"
And: "What you're doing right now is ignorant and rude. Are you sober?"
It was an apparent reference to Davis' recent run-in with the law when he crashed his vehicle on westbound Interstate-69 near Interstate-75 and was jailed on suspicion of impaired driving.
A search warrant was issued for his blood after Davis declined a breathalyzer, police said.
The Flint Journal has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the state for the results of Davis' toxicology reports. No charges have been announced in the case as of Friday, Sept. 23.
Mays has also had his own run-in with the law.
A judge sentenced Mays to jail on Jan. 5 for 30 days after prosecutors claimed Mays crashed his vehicle near Leith Street and Industrial Avenue in Flint before driving it almost three miles on the night of his arrest, ending up facing the wrong way on I-475, just north of the city limits.
In June, Weaver's administration asked the council to approve hiring a new garbage hauler, Rizzo Environmental Services, saying the company, with a five-year contract, bid $2 million lower than Republic.
Council members have argued the bidding process was flawed, and they questioned Rizzo's integrity after inquiring about potential ties to Canada and to former Flint Mayor Woodrow Stanley.
Council members say they believe the mayor is making deals with her friends, those who supported her campaign and those who support her administration.
However, Weaver sent out a statement saying she is doing what she believes is best for residents, and said she believes Rizzo will save the city money. |
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Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:35 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2016/09/post_465.html
Garbage hauler challenges Flint mayor's attempt to cancel contract
Jiquanda Johnson | jjohns16@mlive.com By Jiquanda Johnson | jjohns16@mlive.com
on September 22, 2016 at 8:47 PM, updated September 22, 2016 at 9:49 PM
FLINT, MI – Flint's trash hauler says it will continue to pick up garbage in the city despite a letter from Mayor Karen Weaver's office saying its services are no longer needed.
"This afternoon, we received a notice from the City of Flint that the 90-day contract extension has been terminated," read the Sept. 22 statement sent by Russ Knocke, vice president of communications and public affairs for Republic. "Republic will continue to provide uninterrupted and exceptional service to the citizens of Flint."
Republic is under contract with the city to continue hauling trash after a judge ordered Flint on Aug. 11 to work out the trash issue in 90 days and to continue using Republic to haul the city's trash.
According to the statement the city cannot terminate the 90-day agreement without an order from Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Farah.
Weaver's administration along with city council members have been meeting weekly to hash out the city's controversial trash contract.
In June, Weaver's administration asked the council to approve hiring a new company, Rizzo Environmental Services, saying the company bid $2 million lower than Republic. The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Weaver for comment.
Council members have argued that the bidding process was flawed, and they questioned Rizzo's integrity after inquiring about potential ties to Canada and to former Flint Mayor Woodrow Stanley. They have also said Rizzo's bid didn't offer the same amenities as Republic's, including a blight plan.
The issue sparked controversy in June when the council voted against Weaver's administration causing an ongoing battle over the trash issue with eight council members against hiring Rizzo. Councilman Eric Mays is the sole council member supporting hiring Rizzo to haul the city's trash.
City Councilman Scott Kincaid filed suit against Weaver and her office over the trash dispute. Farah finally decided to have both the council and Weaver's office to work it out and to continue using Republic to haul the Flint's trash. |
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Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:39 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2016/09/state_court_of_appeals_says_co.html
The Court of Appeals already struck down Judge Farah's ability to impose a contract on Flint. How will Farah deal with this issue? State court of appeals says county judge wrong in Flint trash dispute
Updated Sep 11, 2016; Posted Sep 9, 2016
Gallery: Judge extends Flint trash service through Republic for 90 days, approves attorney for city council
By Jiquanda Johnson
FLINT, MI - The Michigan Court of Appeals has reversed a county judge's decisions regarding Flint's controversial garbage contract.
According to documents filed by the Court of Appeals, Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Farah could not place an injunction on Mayor Karen Weaver's administration nor could he order the City Attorney to appoint an attorney to represent the Flint City Council in a lawsuit against Weaver's office over a trash contract dispute.
"The court orders that the Genesee Circuit Court's August 11, 2016 order granting a preliminary injunction is reversed," said the decision from Michigan Court of Appeals. "Plaintiffs did not meet their burden of proving a need of a preliminary injunction because they could not show that they are likely to prevail on the merits of their action."
Farah could not be reached for comment on the ruling.
The state-appointed Receivership Transition Advisory Board voted against the city paying for attorneys to represent the Flint City Council in a legal battle against Mayor Karen Weaver and her administration regarding the city's trash contract.
Weaver would not comment on her next move but said she is pleased with the Court of Appeals decision.
"Mayor Weaver is pleased to learn that the Court of Appeals has granted the appeal filed by the City in response to the judge's decision made previously regarding the waste contract," said a statement issued by Flint spokeswoman Kristin Moore. "The Mayor is still assessing the matter and has no further comment at this time."
The trash contract has been an ongoing issue since June when council members voted against an recommendation from Weaver's office to hire Rizzo Environmental Services to haul the city's trash saying it would save Flint $2 million over five years.
The council argued that Rizzo may be the lowest bidder but they questioned the company's integrity and said they lacked transparency when questioned about whether former Mayor Woodrow Stanley served as Rizzo's consultant and if the company did work in Canada. The council later voted 8-1 to join in a lawsuit with Councilman Scott Kincaid suing Weaver's administration and the city over the dispute.
Councilman Eric Mays was the sole no vote saying the he was in favor of the savings offered under Rizzo's bid to haul Flint's trash.
Rizzo's bid came in at $17,418,644 which was $2 million less than Republic Waste Services' bid for a five-year contract with the city. Both Farah and council members say the bids can't be compared because of various differences including a blight plan offered by Republic, the city's current trash service provider, that was not in Rizzo's bid.
Under Farah's injunction, Weaver's office has been forced to continue using Republic Waste Services -- the city's current garbage removal service provider -- to haul the city's trash while the council and Weaver's administration worked out the ongoing trash contract dispute under his order.
In addition, Farah ruled that City Attorney Stacy Erwin Oakes had to hire attorney Barry Wolf to represent the city council. A decision that was also appealed and reversed.
"In the eyes of the Legal Department the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch and the Judicial Branch were engaged in this process," said Erwin Oakes. "Therefore, it was important to receive clarity on everyone's role as we move forward with serving the residents of the City of Flint."
There were a total of three appeals filed. The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Wolf nor council members for comment.
Wolf told the Flint Journal in an earlier unrelated interview that the council and Weaver's administration had met four times to hash out details regarding the trash issue.
"They're making progress," Wolf said after a Sept. 9 update hearing with Farah. "Both sides are open and honest in terms of how they look at the documents. Now they are going to move on to how the bids were evaluated. The hope is by the end of the process they have a waste contract."
Rizzo also filed an appeal which was denied but representatives for the trash hauler said they are happy with the court's decision to reverse Farah's injunction under the city's appeal.
"The Court of Appeals found everything that Judge Farah did to be wrong," said Joseph Munem. "There was no argument, there was no hearing. They read it and reversed it. What it sounds like is they did it because there was nothing that Judge Farah did here based on the law."
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Wed Nov 22, 2017 1:43 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:46 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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http://flinttalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=12360
From a previous post
Thankfully the flint campaign finance reports are now available online. As I reviewed Scott Kincaid's most recent reports,I had to question where his loyalties are.
The three time amended report pivoted on fundraiser held at the Flint Golf Club that raised $ 6,770 .
The big contributors:
*Note : there are many contributors linked to the Genesee-Flint Chamber of Commerce and the Uptown Reinvestment group.
Tim Herman $300
John Matonich $100
Ridgeway White $300
Ghassan Saab $300
Geoge Hamo $300
Lawrence Moon $200
Steven Landall $300
Gary Hurand $300
Universal Ambulance Service $300
Richard King Jr, $300
Dovey Richter $100
Damion Frasier $300
Francis manley $300
Robert McDonald $100
Greater Flint AFL-CIO $$300
*Pifer Inc $150 (corporate donations are not allowed)
UAW Mihigan V PAC $2,000
Genesee landlords Association PAC $300
Page 8 of 9 showed a second UAW $2,000 donation. This one was UAW Region 1 D V Michigan V PAC at 1940 W Atherton
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:12 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:50 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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| If you are on facebook, check out Quincy Murphy's video of the dueling garbage trucks. LMAO Good going Quincy! |
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Mon Sep 26, 2016 8:57 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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WEYI TV 25
Flint trash debacle continues
BY MADELINE CIAK FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH 2016
The trash debacle continues in Flint Friday as Rizzo trucks made the rounds in Flint picking up trash.
Flint, Mich. — The trash debacle continues in Flint Friday as Rizzo trucks made the rounds in Flint picking up trash.
This comes after Republic Services sent out a statement last night stating that Thursday's Court of Appeals ruling wouldn't have an impact on the already existing trash collection services.
Republic Services also said that they planned to pick up trash on Friday as well and that they're optimistic that they'll enter a long-term service agreement with Flint.
Here is the entire statement from Republic Services:
It is our understanding that today's Court of Appeals ruling does not impact the Temporary Restraining Order on interim collection service, which remains in effect. We plan to provide normal waste collection service on Friday, and remain optimistic that we will soon enter into a long-term service agreement with the City. |
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Sun Oct 02, 2016 7:22 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Frankly I am tired of this mess and wish it would all go away.
Where are the media reports on the Appeals Court ruling so residents really know what it says. There is so much she said-he said crap. Now an arbitrator is here.
Bad media coverage!
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:13 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Sun Oct 02, 2016 7:25 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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This was a local Burton case, but if anyone can find evidence of wrongdoing in either the Rizzo or the Republic contracts, please bring it on so we can get over this mess!
» Quid pro quo not required for Hobbs Act, Section 666 prosecutions
Quid pro quo not required for Hobbs Act, Section 666 prosecutions
By Alain Leibman on May 7, 2009 Posted in Offense elements
A public official who accepts a bribe from a developer, both cash and a plot of land, but does not explicitly reach agreement with the bribor on an official act to be performed by the recipient may still be convicted of violating the Hobbs Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1951 and 18 U.S.C. § 666, according to the Sixth Circuit. United States v. Abbey, 560 F.3d 513 (6th Cir. 2009).
Abbey, a Michigan city administrator, was found to have accepted cash and a subdivision lot from a developer. There was no evidence at trial that Abbey had, in return, agreed to perform a specific official act in exchange, that is, there was no quid pro quo. In a pretrial motion to dismiss, a Rule 29 motion, and on appeal Abbey contended that, absent a quid pro quo he could not be convicted for extorting the money and property "under color of official right." Only in the area of campaign contributions is the government required to prove a quid pro quo to ensure that an otherwise permissible activity is not criminalized unfairly (citing McCormick v. United States, 500 U.S. 257 (1991)). In all other Hobbs Act areas, the government need only show knowledge by the defendant-official that he/she was expected to exercise some influence in favor of the bribor as opportunities to do so arose.
Likewise, under § 666, there is no requirement of proof of linkage between the thing of value given to the official and a specific official act. A conviction will be sustained on proof that the official merely intended to generally use his/her influence to benefit the bribor.
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Sun Oct 02, 2016 7:50 am |
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BillPayer
F L I N T O I D
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Sun Oct 02, 2016 12:37 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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What we know about Flint's erupting waste controversy
While Republic, Rizzo and City Council settle contract chaos, we outline need-to-know points of the dispute.
By Cole Rosengren | September 29, 2016 Printprint
UPDATE, Sept. 30: Both Rizzo Environmental Services and Republic Services plan to collect Flint's waste again today after a ruling from the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed an August filing by Genesee County Circuit Judge Joseph Farah. Mayor Karen Weaver has claimed this as a short-term victory.
"I am pleased that the State Court of Appeals has again ruled that I indeed had the authority to utilize my power as Mayor when I asked Rizzo Environmental Services, the lowest responsible bidder, to start collecting trash in Flint and requested that Republic discontinue its services. In light of today’s developments, I have asked that crews from Rizzo temporarily resume collecting trash in the city," said Weaver in a statement.
The Court of Appeals has yet to rule on a temporary restraining order that was filed by Farah on Sept. 26.
"It is our understanding that today's Court of Appeals ruling does not impact the Temporary Restraining Order on interim collection service, which remains in effect. We plan to provide normal waste collection service on Friday, and remain optimistic that we will soon enter into a long-term service agreement with the City," said Russ Knocke, vice president of communications and public affairs with Republic Services, in a statement.
Weaver, members of her administration and select council members are set to meet again in court today to continue negotiations for a long-term contract.
***
Flint, MI has been in the news for many reasons in 2016, though the recent ongoing dispute over the city's waste contract may the hardest story to follow yet.
Republic Services has been collecting Flint's waste since early 2013. The decision to continue with Republic Services or start a new contract with Rizzo Environmental Services first came before the Flint City Council in June. While eight of the nine council members supported Republic, Mayor Karen Weaver and the ninth member supported Rizzo.
Since June, this dispute has led to collections being temporarily canceled, calls for a state investigation, a public records lawsuit, multiple legal motions by elected officials, an attempted termination of Republic’s temporary contract, one day where both companies were collecting the same routes and much more.
Republic currently has a temporary contract to continue collections until Nov. 11. Genesee County Circuit Judge Joseph Farah has signed a temporary restraining order preventing Weaver from hiring Rizzo or ending Republic's agreement. Farah required Weaver, city officials and council members to report to court this week until an agreement can be reached.
In an effort to clarify details around contract costs — the main point of contention — Waste Dive spoke to both Rizzo and Republic about information their bids contain. Republic also provided a Sept. 13 memo which was sent by the company’s legal counsel to Derrick Jones, Flint’s purchasing manager, for further information.
Mayor Weaver's office could not be reached for comment. Councilman Scott Kincaid, who has been a leading proponent for Republic, could also not be reached for comment.
Terms and costs
According to the memo, Republic, Rizzo and Emterra Environmental USA submitted bids for a five-year contract with the city in the spring. The city administration had these bids evaluated by three officials: Purchasing Manager Jones, Transportation Director Kay Muhammad and Waste Services Coordinator Heather Griffin. They evaluated these bids between late May and early June based on multiple factors. Republic and Rizzo received the same score for cost, but Republic came out on top with a total of 80 points. Rizzo received 76 and Emterra received 69.
Republic bid $19.52 million, Emterra bid $18.51 million and Rizzo bid $17.42 million. Weaver backed Rizzo as the "lowest responsible bidder," citing the $2 million difference as the main factor in a city with dire financial constraints.
"We're offering a $2 million savings over five years, over the next lowest bidder," Joseph Munem, director of government affairs at Rizzo, told Waste Dive. "'Lowest responsible bidder' is a very narrowly defined descriptor, of which we are."
"There really is no $2 million savings with Rizzo." - Hicks
tweet this quote
Republic and the eight council members dispute this claim.
"There really is no $2 million savings with Rizzo," Gary Hicks, municipal services manager for Republic told Waste Dive. "When you read the city's own purchasing ordinance and you look at the bids that were submitted you find that Republic is the lowest responsible bidder."
Republic's Sept. 13 memo argues that Rizzo’s bid was "deficient in several ways" due to multiple factors.
Landfill access
The city's invitation to bid requested that the selected hauler allow residents with a city permit to dispose of up to one ton of debris for free at their landfill. According to a cover sheet in the memo, dated May 5, Rizzo noted that its list of services "does not include free dumps for residents."
Based on an assumed value of $35 per household, Republic says its landfill service is worth $1.34 million annually. The company argues that, in fact, this makes their bid less expensive.
"It is a true differentiating factor between everyone that bid," said Hicks.
Rizzo argues that it is now willing to offer unlimited bulk pick-up.
"Why in the world would anybody want to load up stuff in a truck and take it to the dump when we're going to pick up from them at the curb?" said Munem. "This is a specious argument."
Republic told Waste Dive it will also offer unlimited bulk pick-up at the curb.
Providing a blight plan
The city asked bidders to provide a blight remediation plan for dealing with large amounts of illegal dumping and waste from abandoned homes.
Republic proposed dedicating a collection truck and crew full-time to working with Flint's blight elimination division. The truck would have special identification and the crew would have special uniforms. Hicks says this was inspired by challenges crews currently face because they can't enter private property to collect illegally dumped items. Republic hopes that advertising this truck's special status and coming through neighborhoods regularly will encourage residents to bring their waste to the curb instead. City officials valued this at approximately $155,000 per year, though Republic argues that its true value is approximately $238,000.
Rizzo's original bid offered two 40-yard roll off containers per month at an estimated value of $12,000. The company has since said it would also include a clam truck and rear-load packer, along with staff. As Republic’s memo notes, the city's purchasing ordinance doesn't allow for bids to be altered or corrected once submitted. Rizzo says the change was a clarification as requested by the city, and not a modification. Rizzo also notes its experience dealing with illegal dumping in Detroit as another reason why it has the better plan.
"This is a fantasy that Republic is selling," said Munem. "By offering that clam truck and also by picking up bulk items unlimited we are offering the only truly significant blight remediation."
Ripple effects of the lead crisis
Based on these two factors, Republic argues that the true cost of each bid is different than has been reported.
"While Rizzo's base pricing is slightly lower, this is not surprising for a base bid that is missing several minimum bid requirements," reads the memo.
Since this process began in June, the city and council members have gravitated toward negotiating a contract for three years rather than five. According to Republic, when free landfill access and blight remediation are factored in it has the lowest bid for either timeframe.
For a three-year contract the company says that its total bid would be $11.59 million as compared to Rizzo’s $11.89 million. For a five-year contract, using this logic, Republic’s total bid would be $19.52 million as compared to Rizzo’s $22.12 million.
This question of which bid is in fact lowest matters more in Flint than most other cities. The city is still under the guidance of a Receivership Transition Advisory Board and is dealing with major infrastructure costs and consequences related to lead-tainted water.
Weaver cited this as the reason for her stance at a town hall meeting on Sept. 28.
"If you want to know what I’m fighting about, some money, I thought about $2 million for more lead service line replacement, and $2 million is a lot," said Weaver, as reported by East Village Magazine. "I don’t know why nobody’s mad that they [Republic] have been charging us $2 million more."
"You have an irresponsible city council that is in a power struggle with the mayor." - Munem
tweet this quote
While the majority of council members disagree with this reasoning, Rizzo sides with the mayor's connection to the lead crisis.
"You have an irresponsible city council that is in a power struggle with the mayor," said Munem. "One would think that responsible elected officials would be looking to find every spare penny to sink into resolving that problem."
Hicks noted that Republic played a large role in assisting with the recycling of water bottles by increasing collection frequencies and other services.
"We continue to go out every day and try and provide the best service for the residents of the city of Flint that we can," he said.
Waste Dive will update this story as the situation develops.
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Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:17 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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quote:
BillPayer schreef:
http://www.wastedive.com/news/what-we-know-about-flints-erupting-waste-controversy/427268/
Interesting article which seems to be independent of local bias?
This doesn't appear to mesh with Muhammad's testimony before the RTAB board. I interpreted her comments as contract steering. She mentioned the partnership with Republic entered onto by Croft under the Emergency Manager. Republic paid a portion of a 25 % match for recycling brochures and a paint collection for Habitat for Humanity.
Muhammad also state the bid process started a year prior, which did not make sense. Even the RAB board questioned her about this citizen committee she had evaluating the contract. She stated they were not completed with the citizen evaluation. She also stated that upon returning to work she was startled to get a call that "they"(the administration)was not giving a one year extension.
How could Muhammad be working on a bid that had not even happened yet and what do citizens know about the intricacies of the waste business?
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:57 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:25 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The contract agreed to by the EM was for 3 years with 2 possible one year extensions.
Muhammad complained about not having enough time to evaluate.
Kincaid told Channel 12 that the original contract with the EM for Republic was "inflated" because they were to purchase the City trucks and hire some city workers.
No one knows how much this inflation was.
In the past trash cleanups were paid for by the use of CDBG grants or the Land Bank's work. The use of "intangibles" by Muhammad in the bid process sounds to me like the taxpayers are now footing the bill. Since Republic has been working closely with Muhammad as a "partner", were they given preferential treatment in the bid process? Would any other bidder know the extent of these "intangibles"?
I have read several issues of Waste Dive as well as articles on Republic and Rizzo.
Personally, I do not have a good opinion about Republic, but that is my belief. |
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Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:38 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The City has never allowed free dumps up to a ton. In recent years a person could purchase a dump permit for a reduced fee with certain limitation on what could be dumped. However, what resident needs to dump 2,000 pounds of trash?
AFSCME filed complaints years ago that one landfill was having asbestos dumped while Flint trash collectors were dumping. Some went to the hospital to be checked out.
Personally, I favor rebidding the contract and letting the chips fall where they may. I don't favor a contract that does not have the contractual terms spellt out completely for every bidder. Also, while the EM felt this partnership was necessary to respond to the Governor's request for more recycling, my opinion of using a city vendor is that it is inappropriate smacks of favoritism. But then everyone is entitled to their beliefs.
Is the article biased, probably not. But then I don't believe they have all of the facts and neither do the residents of Flint.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Wed Nov 22, 2017 2:10 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:51 pm |
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