Small Town News

Exeter picks up trash contract with Sunset

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City Council approves 10-year contract with Sunset Waste: rates will remain the same for customers

The Exeter City Council approved a seven year contract with Sunset Waste Systems, Inc. at its last meeting Aug. 25. The contract, which begins Dec. 1, will include free recycling audits for local businesses and rates will remain the same for all, for the next two years.

As part of the contract Sunset will institute a recycling education program in local schools and plans on informing the public on what they can do to reduce their waste at annual events.

City officials feel the city will only benefit from the new contract.

"The city came out ahead with the contract," said Director of Public Works and Assistant City Administrator Felix Ortiz. "We're going to be getting a nice program and they will be hiring a Recycling Coordinator real soon."

City Administrator John Kunkel said that Sunset will be in town four days a week meaning residents who forget to put out a can will have a second chance. While the pickup day for residents will change, all cans (waste, green waste and recycling) will be picked up on the same day. New cans will be distributed this winter.

"Based on everything we've heard, it's going to be great," said Kunkel. "They've already got their city business license and joined the chamber. They are doing everything they can to become part of the community."

The city opened the proposals for refuse, green waste collection and disposal June 30 and asked all companies to submit all services and programs they offered.

Ortiz submitted a refuse recommendation to council at the end of last month after he, Mayor Protem Jack Allwardt and California Integrated Waste Management (CWMA) Director Anne Magana conducted interviews as a panel with each of the five haulers.

Current cost collected per residence is $ 16.60 with $13.11 going to the hauler (Waste Connection) and $3.39 remaining with the city. Initial rates, which include cost and 21% franchise and administrative fees submitted by various waste haulers included Waste Connection at $14.87, Waste Management at $19.47, Pena's Disposal at $16.55, Tule Trash at $17.25 and Sunset at $17.40.

After proposals were collected and interviews were conducted with all haulers on July 10, the panel ranked each company. Sunset was ranked first, Pena's Disposal second, Waste Connection third and Tule Trash fourth.

Ortiz said the city did not want to raise resident rates so under legal advisement he approached the top ranked Sunset and they agreed to lower their rate, including fees to $15.90.

As a part of the recommendation, Ortiz worked with Sunset to negotiate a contract for services for refuse, green waste and recycling. After the city council agreed to go into negotiations with Sunset at their Aug. 11 meeting, Ortiz went back to Sunset and negotiated commercial rates down to their current price. Sunset's contract will begin on Dec. 1 and cost per residence will remain the same at $16.60 for at least two years.

Sunset Waste Systems provides solid waste collection and recyclable material processing services to several municipalities and commercial enterprises located throughout Fresno, Kern, Tulare and Kings counties. Sunset Waste Systems currently provides these services to the cities and jurisdictions of Fresno, Visalia, Sanger, Reedley, Delano, Woodlake, Biola, Lindsay, the Lemoore Naval Air Station and unincorporated Fresno and Kings counties.

Sunset Corporate offices are located in Fresno. They also operate a Transfer Station and Material Recovery Facility in Visalia. Sunset Waste Systems, Inc. was started by John Mohoff Sr., in 1969.

Sunset also operates in Wood-lake and Lindsay. For more information call 592-3710 or visit www.sunsetwastesystems.com.



Copyright 2009 The Foothills Sun-Gazette, Exeter, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2009 The Foothills Sun-Gazette Exeter, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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