City Council to seek other trash pickup services

The Donaldsonville City Council voted in its July 8 meeting to not renew its current five-year solid waste disposal contract with Progressive Waste Solutions. The decision came off of multiple complaints from constituents, which ultimately led to District 5 councilman Emile Spano to say enough is enough.

“It’s not only my district, but the entire city,” Spano said. “The piles are escalating.”

The council also authorized Mayor Leroy Sullivan Sr., city attorney Chuck Long and city engineering firm GSA Consulting Engineers to begin seeking service proposals.

The move came after council members criticized Progressive for not picking up bulk waste piles in the city for weeks.

The city’s current contract with SWDI, who now operates as Progressive Waste Solutions, expires Sept. 1. However, Long said, the contract contains an option to automatically renew for another five years. But the council needed to act soon before the contract automatically renewed.

As far as the services not being rendered, Long said the city could withhold payment to Progressive.

“We need to hit them where it hurts, in the pocket,” Spano said, who brought a similar problem to the council earlier this year.” I don’t see why we can’t deduct some type of payment from them.”

Progressive missed three scheduled pick-ups since June 5 in District 5, which Spano represents.

Spano said he called Progressive officials and was told the company is waiting for parts to repair its boom truck that services the city.

“I sympathize with the breakdown, but that’s not our problem,” Spano said. “They have to service us because we pay them every month.”

“They surely have more than one boom truck,” he said. “It’s a big company. There’s no reason they should be missing us like this.”

Mayor Sullivan agreed and said Spano is correct. Mayor Sullivan said he’s seen several areas of the city that are filthy because trash isn’t being picked up.

“I’m tired of dealing with it,” Mayor Sullivan said. “Every where you go there are piles. There are some that have been there for over a month.”