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June 28, 1996
The five-year, $7.3-million deal won by Standard Disposal Services Inc. in a 6-3 vote early Wednesday is in limbo until July 9, when the council will try to override Steenbergh's veto. It needs six votes to be successful.
Standard Disposal Executive Vice-President Dominic Campo said the city refused the Warren company's letter of credit and revised bid Thursday after Steenbergh told reporters the company was unfit to get to the contract.
"He's trying to screw us out of what we won fair and square," said Campo, who plans to create eight new jobs by the weekend as a direct result of the new contract. "If we were such a bad company, how come no one can shut us down? It's not like Steenbergh just moved to Warren. He's been around for years. What a ripoff."
Steenbergh criticized Standard Disposal for its "demonstrated irresponsibility in the operation of its transfer station (that) has included indifference to the concerns of neighbors" who say the company's plant pollutes the south end of Warren.
At today's emergency meeting, the council will discuss extending the existing contract through Sunday with City Management Corp., the city's hauler since 1991.
"I think it's sinful to call a meeting with no notice on a Friday night intended to keep the citizens of Warren in the dark about the facts," said council President Jim Fouts, the only elected official to vote against Standard Disposal.
If the council extends the contract with City Management, two haulers could be picking up Warren's garbage. Steenbergh has told City Management subsidiary Warren Waste Transfer to continue hauling until further notice so garbage doesn't pile up on curbs.
City Attorney George Constance says the city charter gives Steenbergh, not the council, the power to select a company to haul trash until a new contract is signed.
Meanwhile, Steenbergh aide Marilyn Donlin says the mayor is researching whether it's legal to select a trash hauler without signing a contract.
The controversy started when the council ignored a recommendation from Steenbergh and a hand-picked committee of city officials to award the contract to City Management subsidiary Pine Tree Acres Inc. The council decided Pine Tree's last-minute price cut wasn't fair.