Editor’s note: Transcript provided by CoverGov.
Euless could penalize its trash pickup contractor, Republic Services, for missed pickups in December, City Manager Chris Barker said at a Jan. 15 town hall meeting.
“We have visited with (the City Council) after that event, and we have sent to Republic Services a certified letter that exercises a clause in our contract that is a penalty performance because they missed so many services,” Barker said.
The contractor’s performance penalties may result in a $25 penalty for each failure, and subsequent failure at the same address within any 30-day period may result in a $50 penalty.
“The holiday season always brings a proliferation or an increase in just sheer volume,” Barker said. “These folks have been picking up trash for a long time, so they know that and they try to plan for that, but the volume does increase.”
Republic told the Report it experienced minor delays in Euless.
“Due to increased waste volumes and holiday schedules, our team experienced minor service delays,” the company said. “Bagged waste not collected on the scheduled day was collected the following day, although some customers experienced additional delays due to their rescheduled day falling on a Sunday or holiday. All remaining bagged waste was collected within a few days of the original service date. We value our partnership with the City of Euless and remain focused on resolving any service matters in coordination with the city.”
Barker also noted that the mild December weather added to a leaf bag pickup problem. Certain neighborhoods could have 60 or more bags of leaves at a home’s curb, he added.
A cul-de-sac with four houses in north Euless had 125 bags of leaves set on the curb, he said.
“That cul-de-sac alone would fill up a garbage truck,” Barker said.
Near the end of the meeting, Mayor Linda Martin announced she would not seek reelection, citing personal reasons since the passing of her husband, Don Martin.
Martin was elected mayor in 2014. She was elected to the City Council in 2004. Election for mayor and City Council Place 2 and Place 4 are May 2.
“I’ve come to realize that this is a time in my life when I need to focus on myself and on healing, Martin said. This community is my home, and I will continue to support what is best for Euless and for our community as a whole.”
To learn more about how the transcript that informed this report was created, visit covergov.com.
Eric Zarate is a freelance journalist. Scott Nishimura, a Fort Worth Report senior editor, added reporting to this story.
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