Tribune/Debra Reid - Residential garbage collection continues without a contract agreement between Waste Management and the city of Sparks.
The garbage collector and the city have been involved in several clashes over the past year, disagreeing over the terms of a franchise agreement that would regulate garbage collection practices and rates in Sparks.
“A franchise agreement has not been completed,” said Justin Caporusso, Waste Management spokesman for the western region. “So we will not be going before the (Sparks City) Council this month.”
Officials have set no firm date for a decision on the item.
At an Aug. 28 meeting the council unanimously decided to support a “garbage only” franchise agreement with Waste Management, stating that the company had the exclusive right to wet refuse in the city limits. Other dry waste, including constriction materials, was open to any other business that wanted to collect it.
In addition to regulating the types of waste the company was contracted to collect, the decision reigned in Waste Management’s ability to raise residential rates. The company originally told the council in the August meeting that residential rates would need to increase by 38 percent, or $5.41 per month, in order to compensate for business lost from the regulation. The council disagreed.
The modified agreement approved by the City Council allows for a one-time only residential rate increase of 8 1/2 percent, which equals about $1.20 per month. The modified agreement also states that after seven years, residents’ garbage can rentals would fall off their bill.
Because the agreement passed was not an option that Waste Management had negotiated previously with city staff, the company had the right to cease garbage collection in the city of Sparks, according to city Attorney Chet Adams.
However, since that time, garbage collection has continued in a good faith agreement with the city.
Once the franchise agreement is finalized, it will go before the City Council for discussion and action.
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