Council considers budget amendment for hazard pay, new solid waste contract

During its regular Nov. 03, 2020 meeting, the Forney City Council met to proclaim Municipal Courts Week, reject fire station site bids, consider hazard pay for all employees for 23 weeks, solid waste contract bids.
(watch official video)

• Proclamation for Municipal Courts Week Nov. 2 - 6, 2020.
  
• Approved as one consent item:
  • a COVID-19 Project federal grant.
    
  • rejecting the bid proposals received for the Fire Station #2 Site Improvements.
        Mr. Johnson asked about #2: he noticed the estimated costs came in after budget was finalized, would have been nice to have that before.  Mr. Carson said it's not a funding issue, but will examine the scope.

• an Ordinance amending the budget for fiscal year 2020-2021.
      Ms. Woodham said COVID grant they just approved covers hazard pay for police and fire at $5/hr over 23 weeks for actual hours worked.  The personnel portion is $360k.  The budget amendment includes funds for all city employees.  When adjusted budget, had an excess of $307k in general, $645k in utility fund and $27k for EDC.  Recommend approving the amendment.  Mayor Penn asked if it applies to anyone who did not work during COVID period - it does not, only actual hours worked.
  
• Approved a Resolution awarding a bid to CWD and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents related to a contract for solid waste and recycling services.
      Mr. Morgan said current 5-year contract expires in Feb 2021.  Staff released RFP with similar services to current plan for 5 years, w/ option for every week recycling.  Staff received 3 proposals.  CWD proposed same service w/ slight decrease in cost, which is lowest residential and second lowest commercial, 3 year guarantee on rates.  FCC Environmental proposed Mon-Thur pickup, second-lowest residential cost, highest commercial.  Waste Management was highest residential but lowest commercial, they proposed automated residential service w/ carts.  Staff believes all 3 would be good.  CWD is substantially lowest.
      Dan Brazil w/ FCC: been in business 120 years, municipal collection since 1911, state-of-art facility in Dallas, Mon-Thur collection, trucks would be dedicated to Forney, will be brand new, operate dispatch and call centers locally.
      Mr. Stephen Kellar w/ Waste Management: in public sector 24 years, their proposal is the highest on residential, but lowest on commercial, on purpose to provide world-class service.  This is rare opportunity to affect substantial change for citizens.  Have noticed work EDC trying to attract businesses, Forney has a great reputation.  Businesses are looking for cities with sustainable services.  Their company has changed how they operate; every resident would get a 95 gallon cart, + new recycle cart; it's unsightly to have bags sitting on the street.  Carts improve the litter problem.  All trucks would be new, CNG instead of diesel, fueled by emissions from their landfill by converting methane to CNG.  They have intangibles in proposal: free use of landfill, up to 4 yards once per month.  They pay a living wage, among highest pay in industry.
      Mr. Greg Roemer of CWD: this would be their 11th year, they cycle new trucks into the city, now have CNG trucks w/ 4 axles, helps preserve the roads.  The RFP is the exact service they do now.
      Mr. Traylor asked about cost differences CWD vs FCC? residential: 8.95 vs 12.89 vs 16.99.  Commercial: most common is 8 cubic yard, 117 vs 128 vs 179.  After review, CWD far cheaper, other two close in total cost.  Mayor Penn asked about list of complaints w/ CWD - Mr. Morgan said been fairly consistent, had dropped a little lately.  Mr. Carson said will always get complaints, the issue is how they respond.  They get results w/ CWD.  Mr. Morgan said don't get excessive complaints, get good service.  Mr. Traylor asked if 1 day / week sufficient - Mr. Morgan said haven't had specific requests for more, could have enough growth can't service entire city in one day.  Mayor Penn said sometimes better to pay extra to get more, but would have to tell citizens rates are going up.  Mr. Cooper said council worked to lower taxes, don't erase it w/ rates.  Ms. Powers asked if CWD considered providing containers - Mr. Carson said that's not how they requested the bid, wanted to keep rates low.  Mr. Johnson said this was his world for 30 years, 2x/week service is a big expense.  Brush is a concern, neighborhoods 17 yrs old now, want boom trucks, which can be a pain.  City needs to provide this service.  Would like to have seen more bidders.  Mr. Myers asked how much cost to provide trash can - if use same trucks now, $75 / container, maybe $1 / home.  If go full automated, that would offset some of the cost, but can lead to items not being collected.  Mr. Carson said it wasn't part of bid - Mr. Thatcher said if wasn't included, would have to reject all bids and start over.  Mayor Penn said citizens likely don't want an increase.  Mr. Johnson said some areas have an aversion to carts, due to HOA rules.
      Approved selecting CWD.
  
• Public Comment - none.
  
• City Manager's report - Mr. Carson thanked Mr. Morgan for doing the RFP.  Ms. Powers asked about keeping up w/ alerts about cyber-attacks - Mr. Cardwell said they participate in several national security centers.  Have multiple internal systems w/ backup, firewall, intrusion protection.  They are proactive.  Mr. Johnson asked about Quiet Zone - Mr. Carson said city has provided info, now in 60 day comment period, feel confident will get crossing back into Quiet Zone.  Mr. Johnson said 548 isn't really an issue, but downtown's crossings are important.
  
• Council Comments - Mr. Johnson thanked staff for work on RFP.  Mr. Cooper thanked staff, hopes to be back in 2 weeks.  Ms. Powers thanked staff, happy they will get extra COVID pay.  Mr. Myers thanked staff. 
  
• Held a 27-minute executive session re:
  
  
  • PUC Docket No. 47814; SOAH Docket No. 46-18-1344.WS Petition of High Point Water Supply Corporation, Talty Special Utility District and Markout Water Supply Corporation Appealing the Decision by the City of Forney Affecting Wholesale Water Rates.
    
  • Deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property (Tex. Gov't Code Section 551.072).
    
  • Project Liberty

• Took no action.
  
• Adjourned at 1943