“The savings Frontier is offering are too large to ignore,” Council Member Trent Perez said.
Over a year ago, council asked staff to review the city’s contract with Waste Management and to see if there was another business to which the city should offer the solid waste contract. The solid waste contractor is responsible for picking up the trash and recycling in Pearland.
Three companies became the final contenders for the contract: Waste Management, Frontier K2 LLC and FCC. The city named Frontier as the company with the best value.
Council Member Woody Owens and a few citizens had concerns about choosing Frontier, as did Keep Pearland Beautiful, which works with Waste Management for recycling.
“We’re happy with the level of service we have now,” KPB Board President Michelle Croasdaile said.
Owens’ concerns included Frontier’s bid being $2 million lower than the other two top bids the city received.
“When I see a bid that is way off, I am told either they don’t understand what they are bidding for or that they are trying to buy a contract,” Owens said.
Frontier founders Bill Killian and John Gustafson were at the meeting to answer council questions. Ultimately, council voted to give the contract to Frontier. Five members voted for the contract; Owens voted against the motion, and Council Member Adrian Hernandez did not vote on the item.
“There has been a lot of discussion, but ultimately, there is a singular vote. I feel very comfortable with the due diligence staff has put together,” Perez said.
The city’s contract with Frontier will begin in October 2021, once the contract with Waste Management expires.
