(STURGIS) - The Sturgis City Commission has approved a long term recycling contract with Borden Waste-Away.
On November 12, the Commission approved the second reading of a recycling ordinance, which became effective December 4. At that time, the Commission provided direction to the City to pursue a three year contract with Borden.
During a recent meeting, City Manager Andrew Kuk presented the proposed agreement. He shared that some terms needed to be corrected, the first of which is the request for an exclusive franchise agreement. Kuk says Borden wanted an exclusive franchise agreement with Sturgis, but the City Charter doesn't allow for that. Kuk says Borden is okay with that change.
One of the other terms is the number of residential units which needs to be amended based on the Commission's action to limit the required participating properties. Kuk says City staff is working with Borden to make these corrections.
Another term according to Kuk is a change in the unit price and the yearly increase. Originally in the first year, the cost was to be $6 per unit per month with a 3% increase annually. Borden changed that to a 3.5% increase or the Consumer Price Index whichever is greater. Kuk says in talking with Borden, they agreed to an increase of 3%. (LISTEN ABOVE).
Kuk also says that Borden's service provision will be changed from two times a month to every other week or 26 times per year. That will begin in February, according to Sturgis City Clerk Ken Rhodes. The current pick up schedule will be used through January.
The Commission approved the contract by a vote of 8-1.