Other waste management entities that contracted with the city prior to council's decision during a Nov. 4 meeting asked officials to reconsider.
Council heard citizen comment from city residents, organizers and representation for the five solid waste disposal service providers contracting with Round Rock.
Paul Daugereau, the public-sector manager for Waste Management, asked officials to consider going out for bid on a contract if they want to select a single provider of solid waste collection services. He added the resolutions would void what he described as city residents' right to choose commercial customers.
"We've been doing business in Round Rock for over 20 years now," said Daugereau, who is also a Buda City Council member. "We currently serve approximately 600 commercial customers with approximately 100 roll-off and compact customers. ... My question is, do any of these guys know this is coming? Do any of your customers out here know that their right to choose their contractor is going to be gone?"
Representatives from Central Waste and Recycling, Texas Disposal Systems and Waste Connections Lonestar also asked council to consider a different option, including implementing a request for bids.
City documents state council directed staff in July to start negotiating with CTR for a single-source contract that would make it the only solid waste collection service provider for residential and commercial property in the city limits of Round Rock.
The five companies contracting with Round Rock have franchise agreements to provide multiple waste collection options.
CTR serves around 40% of commercial customers, according to the city. It is also the sole vendor for residential waste pickup services in the city.
Round Rock Utilities Director Michael Thane, who on Nov. 4 outlined some issues the city has had as a result of its open-market system, said staff have been internally discussing the matter for a couple of years.
"We're starting to see a lot of cities in Central Texas that have gone to a closed market or sole source where they have one provider," Thane said.
Thane said multiple vendors create duplicate routes in the city, contributing to additional vehicles on the road, wear to roads, possible air pollution and less accountability than if trash pickup was contracted through the city.
Thane also said switching to one provider would allow for better rates.
CTR CEO Michael Lavengco thanked council for the new opportunity during the Nov. 4 meeting.
He also responded to what he described as "accusations" from other service providers who shared concerns about recycling getting mixed in with regular waste.
"With social media you can make things look the way you want them to look," Lavengco said. "But I can assure you we absolutely are committed to recycling and in everything else that needs to be provided."
