That's all right.

No, once that's done, that's a little bit more thing.

I'm gonna start doing this because it's gonna be because you're gonna be able to do that.

I'm gonna send you my cat.

Or how about this?

Yeah.

Okay.

Okay.

So it's the rest of the client.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Okay.

Good afternoon, everybody.

Welcome to the City Council Chambers for the Committee of the Whole.

This Wednesday, March 25th at 4 p.m.

to discuss the solid waste contract.

Clerk, will you please call the room?

Hobbs.

Jones here.

Kramer here.

Martinez.

Present.

McPherson.

Here.

Melden.

Morris.

Williams.

Driscoll.

Here.

Gaddis.

Seven present.

Thank you so much.

If you have had the opportunity to sign in, wonderful.

If you've not, we have uh some sign-in sheets on the side over here.

Uh to my right, your left if you wish to speak and make public comments at any time.

Um we will first hear from uh the folks here at what we call the pit.

Just some representatives from the city as well as from Priority Waste.

Um and then we will allow for questions to come from council members to the folks in the pit and then open it up to public comments.

And at that time I will go in order of who signed in.

So please make sure that you do.

And uh we will keep the comments to three minutes uh so we can hear from as many people as possible.

If you hear somebody say something that you were planning to say, uh please try to be as succinct as possible when you come up to say it then too.

Uh and with that, I will turn it over to the administration to get us started.

Thank you.

Good afternoon.

Thank you.

Hello, members of council, Megan Robson, Chief of Operations for the City of Toledo.

Um today at the table, I'm joined by Commissioner of Solid Waste, Ryan Murphy.

Um, Vince Huyumpa, who is the chief executive officer for priority waste.

And Austin Austin Azaretti, the director of the PIP command for priority waste.

Also, um, we have other members of our team, including Joe Fosna, the director of public service for the City of Toledo, as well as Michael French, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer for Priority, and Sam Karamanga, Vice President of Municipal Relations.

Uh, we appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today regarding our recommendation to enter into contract with priority waste for the upcoming curbside refuse and recycling contract.

As council is aware, the current contract between the City of Toledo and the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District and Republic will expire on August 31st, 2026.

About ten months ago, the city team, along with the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District sought proposals for a new refuse and recycling contract.

We received proposals from Republic Services, Priority Waste, Rumpke, Waste and Recycling, and FCC Environmental.

Today we will take you through the process of our selection.

We will also introduce you to members of the Priority Waste team and their operations and services that they will provide to us, as well as the transition plan and what our residents can expect.

During the time that we were doing our requests for proposals and looking at options for the new refuse and recycling contract, Council members Gaddis and Comives hosted talking trash meetings in all of our council districts, and we received over 3,600 responses to a survey that we put out for our residents to learn what they were looking for as a part of the new refuse and recycling contract.

That feedback was really important to us, and we took all of those comments that we received from those community meetings as well as the survey responses.

And basically we're able to compile those into three service areas that our residents really wanted to see.

Our residents wanted to see increased accountability with a service provider.

They asked for performance measures within the new contract that could be identified that they were aware of and that we all agreed upon.

Our residents wanted to see improvements to blight and bulk collections.

Residents felt the service did not do enough to control blight within our neighborhoods, and there were too many missed bulk pickups that had been scheduled.

Communication was a big, big piece of what we heard from the resident feedback.

Residents asked for route tracking and more methods for outreach and improved customer services, including notifications when things were going to be delayed.

After review and interviews, the selection committee narrowed the proposals down to two priority and republic services.

After formal presentations, additional interviews, talking to residents, of course, including information on that feedback, taking all of that into account.

We have made the decision to enter into priority waste, and that is uh with a contract, and that is our recommendation.

The contract with priority would be for a term of five years with the option for a five-year renewal.

Based on the feedback we receive from residents through our refuse and recycling surveys and trash talk meetings, we will include a service level agreement as a part of the contract.

Within the SLA, we will build in performance metrics holding the provider accountable.

The administration has made it very clear we expect priorities Toledo Workforce will ultimately unionize and their bid accounts for union wages.

Priority met with Teamsters Local 20 before the recommendation was made as a show of good faith.

And we they will not interfere with workers' rights to organize.

Priority has also committed to prioritizing the hiring of Toledo drivers and Toledo residents.

We are not asking you to take this on faith.

We will build these projections directly into the contract.

Additionally, the contract is for curbside refuse recycling and bulk collection only.

There are no elements of this contract that would ultimately eliminate City of Toledo unionized jobs.

Priority waste offers enhanced customer service experience for our residents through the use of technology, and they will deliver long-term savings and efficiencies over the life of this contract with real-time trout truck monitoring and video route tracking and a dedicated Toledo customer services contract assistance and data sharing with engaged Toledo.

Our team appreciated their understanding of the city's need and approach to deliver consistent, reliable, high-quality service to our residents.

Toledo residents deserve the best long-term value for their refuse and recycling service, and that's exactly what we feel this contract delivers.

I'm going to now turn the presentation over to Austin, who is going to give us a little more information about the priority team and their organization and operations.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, Council members.

Thank you for the opportunity to be here today.

My name is Austin as Austin Azuretti, and I'm currently lead priority of the lead priority integrated technologies for priority waste.

The real-time operational engine behind how we service the resident each day.

Before stepping into this role, I led our program management office and customer experience functions, where my focus was designing how service should operate at a strategic level.

Because service isn't defined in strategy, it's defined in execution.

It's defined on the street, on the route, and in real time for every resident.

I want to start by recognizing the city of Toledo.

It's clear, thorough, or it's clear through this process that your priority is not simply waste collection.

It is delivering a reliable, accountable experience to your residents.

In fact, I came across a quote from Mr.

Mayor when researching Engage Toledo, and it states this.

Customer service is a strategic priority for my administration and for me personally.

City service, city services are for residents, and we are committed to making sure those services are delivered with the highest quality of service.

This standard matters and it aligns directly how we operate.

At priority ways, service is not just a function, it's part of our culture.

Our expectations mirror this administration that every employee is trained and empowered to find solutions, build relationships, and go the extra mile to make every interaction a positive one.

We are not approaching this as a traditional vendor relationship.

We are approaching this partnership, one that is fully integrated in the city's operation, aligned to its expectations, and accountable for its outcomes.

Our role is simple to take the standard that this city has already set and ensure it shows up in execution every single day.

We appreciate the opportunity and look forward to walking you through a few key things of the contract.

The priority integrated technology.

So this is our command center.

Each community that we service gets LDCs, which is a logistics driver coordinator.

They are integral part of the customer experience because they are immersed in a 3060 90 day training program to ensure they are specialized in your community.

These are folks that could be working in your community now that want to transition over to our team.

But these are the customer service representatives dedicated real-time support.

This is not a pooled service, this is not a uh additional resources specifically Toledo based, right, for your community.

And they manage the drivers and the residents as well.

Proactive route monitoring to ensure completion efficiency and making sure we're as safe as possible on your streets.

And the main focus is on customer experience, service execution, accountability, and most importantly, closing a loop, making sure your residents feel heard, and making sure their resolutions are positive.

Next, a big important thing is technology and cameras.

We have six cameras on every truck, so we replace opinion with proof.

Every stop is documented, every route is verified, and every customer interaction is backed by data.

Automated timestep proof of service at every stop, digit audit trail for compliance and missile reporting, and reduce repeat service calls through first touch resolution.

And most importantly, this is something specifically that will enhance keep Lucas County beautiful.

With their reporting requirements, we're able to provide them their data and your data for your community.

The PIT Priority Integrated Technology Portal, you know, it's transparency and real-time access.

So not only are residents going to be able to traditionally call and email their specific LDCs that are managing their community, but they're also able to use what is called the Priority Integrated Technologies Portal.

And this portal, they're able to enter a request and get updates based on that request.

In the same time, the leadership is able to have full accessibility to all these issues or all these concerns on a daily basis through digitised dashboards.

So for each of the people involved in this decision making and the leadership here in front of us, we are able to customize dashboards through the transition to make sure you're seeing what you want to see as you go through the day.

This is fully customizable and delivered to you to have that visibility into what your residents are calling about.

In the meantime, the residents are getting real-time updates based on their issues that they're connecting to.

Bulk pickup.

Bulk collection will include furniture appliances, wrap mattresses, up to five items, with the excessive exceptions of some move outs, evictions, and cleanouts.

Weekly bulk collection, same day as scheduled refuse collection service.

Oversized items may be segregated from core routes to maximize efficiency, but ensure those items are completed.

Flexible capacity to absorb seasonal demand function fluctuations, and this is also managed by a portal as well, so you are able to see that data.

Community education, this is a big one.

Dedicated representative for the City of Toledo's educational programs, a dedicated City of Toledo landing page on our website with all the educational materials, and we'll attend City of Toledo events leading up to the launch and after the launch.

But most importantly, LDCs along with special community representatives will become a resource to help assist keep Lucas County beautiful through the all their initiatives.

And last but not least, transition.

This is a big one for us.

From contract award to the final trial runs, our transition methodology is a proven, structured approach designed to ensure every aspect of service is fully addressed.

This process is supported by dedicated resources who specialize in transition, allowing us to focus on route readiness, staffing, equipment, communication, and system alignment.

So the service is stable, seamless, and ready for day one.

At the end of the day, every piece of this program is designed around one thing.

Delivering a consistent, transparent, and reliable experience for the residents of Toledo.

We appreciate the opportunity and look forward for the potential to serve the City of Toledo.

Thank you.

We are happy to answer any questions that you may have or go into further detail on any of the items covered.

Thank you so much.

Start with Councilwoman Kramer.

Thank you, Chair, and thank you so much for the presentation.

My first question is about the union labor component.

Union labor is very important to us here in Toledo.

Can you tell me about your plans to hire union labor?

What does that look like?

Certainly, Councilwoman.

My name is Vincent Hoyampa.

I am the interim CEO of Priority Waste.

Number one, uh as we go through this transition and employment process, right?

Anyone, whether they are union or otherwise will be welcome to apply.

All right.

As they are hired, the yard will have the ability to choose to unionize, which we would welcome.

We have a union contract currently with the Teamsters 247 for the City of Detroit.

So again, priori is neutral, uh, but we welcome the ability to work with a union uh workforce if the employees that are working at that yard deem fit that they wish to unionize.

We're not we can't legally force somebody to be part of a union, but we welcome everyone's right to choose to be union or not to be union.

Uh and the majority of those employees will decide whether or not to unionize.

If they so choose to unionize, I welcome that, and I will work with whatever union they select to uh to represent them to work through a fair and equitable contract for all of the employees at that yard.

So it will be up to the workers to unionize themselves.

That's correct.

And do you anticipate there will be any work stoppage as a result of the unionization?

No, I would not.

Okay.

Um my second question is regarding recycling.

Um what are your capabilities in terms of recycling?

Uh just so uh if I could understand the question, um, are you saying are we able, do we have the trucks available to pick up the recycling or to process the recycling?

I can ask a more specific question.

Um, where is your recycling facility going to be um to process the Toledo recyclables?

Uh thank you.

I'll take this question.

Uh Commissioner Ryan Murphy with the Division of Solid Waste.

Uh currently all of our recyclables are collected and they're brought to a site in Toledo called Coleman's, and then they're trucked to a MIRF, a material recycling facility in Oberlin, Ohio.

Um we will have to work out the details on how this transition will occur.

Uh we hope to continue to work with the existing MERF in Oberlin and the transportation company that's hauling those materials there.

Um but those details will be negotiated and worked out as we go through the process.

Um then at such time when the county MERF is available, uh, those materials will start going there.

Okay.

Thank you.

Councilwoman McPherson.

Thank you.

Just a couple of questions.

Thank you for your presentation.

Um on your bulk pickup.

What is your plan as to how often you will do bulk pickup?

It'll run concurrent with our normal curbside collection.

So bulk pickup would be done daily.

Daily bulk pickup.

Yes, ma'am.

And then on the exceptions, you have exceptions, move outs, evictions, clean outs.

How will you deal with these exceptions?

Well, our normal pattern of practice is to tag uh that's how we have handled it in other communities where we would tag those items which were beyond the scope of the contract and then notify our our uh coworkers, our partners at the city to advise them of you know the existence of uh unacceptable items.

So we deal with a lot of evictions and pickups, and I I have a concern with that because property owners or landlords that do evictions um are really benefiting from being picked up.

Are you looking at doing something different?

Are we looking at uh for those evictions that there may be charge?

Um are we doing the same thing as we're doing right now?

Or will priority do something different?

Sure.

So um as Vince mentioned, um bulk collection would occur weekly on a residence refuse day.

Um they would be allowed five items.

Um one of the benefits of the contract with priority is they are allowing for furniture and appliances to be collected as a part of that bulk pickup.

For evictions and improper set outs, which are currently non-compliant as we've been you know uh working over the last 10 years of the current contract, those items would be tagged by priority, and then we currently have legislation that that we have worked on with council member comives, and we are working with the urban beautification team to increase those fees that we would see for those improper eviction set outs and um encourage those residents to get um dumpsters, for example, and with those increased fines, we hopefully would help um eliminate that behavior.

My understanding this company has been in business for five years?

Since 2018, ma'am.

Okay.

And with the new technology that you umide in your presentation, how long has this uh your technology operations command center been up and running?

Since 2022.

And this is you have a portal you're saying where the residents can operate or use this portal or tap into it.

Can you give me a little bit more on that?

Certainly.

Great question.

Yes.

The the resident would either you know traditional methods call, email, or go to our website, or can fill out a ticket in our portal.

And from there, you would if you opt in, you will get updates on that as we're researching it, right?

Because what my logistics driver coordinators will do is if they get it, let's say it's a missstop, they'll get a missed stop that comes in and they'll start a pulling up camera feed on historical to see what happened at the curb.

They'll then update that ticket and the resident will get that conclusion on what happened.

If it's our obviously our fault, then we're more than willing to go back and address that and work with the resident on those matters.

But they will have visibility into what they submit.

And if I could chime in, I think one of the the benefits where the city team saw some benefits to this is um how this will be coordinated and in real time with our customer service representatives that engage Toledo.

Um currently, right now, if we receive some type of complaint from a resident that engaged Toledo is taken into from the customer service representative, we typically have to email or give a call to Republic Services, and then we have to wait for that response.

The benefit to this portal and the way we're going to be working with priority is that information will be given to us in real time.

So someone in um our customer service center would be able to see that information and potentially answer those questions right away from that phone call instead of having to hang up, create a service request, and which then they have to go research and and might not be responding to for several days.

Thank you.

Um turnaround time.

Um is your company presently at this time um equipped with trucks and employees to handle the city of Toledo?

We are in the process of obviously we don't have the employees, but as our intent would be if if this uh body were to award us this contract to begin a process where we would go and hire the manpower that we would have need to service the contract.

As it relates to the uh equipment, we have that on order, and frankly, uh I have a call with them tomorrow to advise them of uh the status of what this process is and to advise them uh whether to proceed or not.

Uh if this contract is awarded to priority, we would expect to receive those trucks by the beginning of July.

So are you assuming that this is going to be solidified tonight?

No ma'am.

Oh well you said you were going to make a call tomorrow.

No, I have a meeting tomorrow already scheduled to give them an update because they're obviously uh we it is a substantial investment both by us as well as the as the distributor for those trucks then they just would like to have a little bit of guidance as to whether or not it is something that they'll move forward to or place with another customer at this point that we have it on hold.

Obviously there's no pressure upon or no rush on this board to make a decision but we wanted to be prepared.

Okay I just wanted clearity because you sounded like you were waiting to hear yes so I know and you're gonna get on the phone and make that call.

Okay clear um I do have some concerns because you said you have some workers that are with Teamsters in Detroit that's correct.

Your other locations they are they have opted not to be union every yard has had that opportunity to decide whether or not to become union and at other times there have been votes and they have decided not to become union we take no position whatsoever we don't hold meetings to rally for union or to discourage a union that we allow every employee to make that decision on their own with absolutely no interference from management interesting thank you I have no further questions.

Thank you.

Councilman Martinez thank you madam chair so I have lots of questions um kind of going in with an open mind I do have one some constituent questions so I just want to make sure you read them into the record and then I do have a statement from President uh Williams.

So she's traveling she was not able to make it she asked me to read this so we'll get to that here in a second one of the questions was will priority be giving new bins to residents or how will that work?

Sure so the toters will remain with the city of Toledo the city of Toledo owns those okay so should be a seamless transition no new bins and no new nothing okay so that was one question.

Then I got a statement from a former council member uh you may uh remember um Scott let me pull his name up Scott Ramsey thank you.

Uh so I just wanted to read into the record because I said I would uh good afternoon I know the council Facebook page encouraged public comment either in person or through council members if we can't attend regarding the trash contract unfortunately he's traveling I wanted to put an endorsement for retaining republic service they provided excellent service for both regular pickup and as well as bulk they also quickly responded to bin issues periodic minor issues uh resolution if a pickup happened to be missed and so forth I'm concerned that the transition to a company with the track record with the company with a track record had capacity that priority has will be uh thorough and may set us may not be as thorough and set us back in future issues as a community so I just want to read that for the excuse me for the record okay so let me read the statement from uh president Williams so I'm not gonna do this justice so just imagine this in councilwoman Williams' voice I represent district four as this great city the heart of Toledo I have been fighting with Republic and the lack of services missed curbside pickups missed bulk up pickups and sometimes weeks on end missed in neighborhoods that have been divested in for years if not decades.

Trash pickup is a city service that cannot be lacking because it brings so much hurt and distrust to neighborhoods that already have hurt and distress I understand and I am very aware of the concerns with the union labor service to the community and priority as the chosen solid waste provider.

Everyone that is coming forward to fight to keep republic where has this fight been for district four during the past five years and five and a half years of residents calling and crying out for someone to simply pick up the trash respectfully where has the fight to keep republic been for them to serve the community yes they have done better in the last few weeks but I would too if I were at risk for losing a multi million dollar contract.

So what I'm trying to understand is definitely the concern with the union issue, right?

So you you've worked with the Teamsters up in Detroit.

Um I'm sure you can understand the consternation of not working with a contract.

What exactly is your thought process while if in the event that this is awarded, how would you work with the current members without a contract?

Well uh as with any employee, whether or not they're unionized, right?

We will negotiate with each person.

So we will, as we go and uh go through this process of hiring employees.

First of all, uh we will interview them and see if they're a good fit overall.

All right.

We pay a very competitive wage, all right, and we will take into consideration their uh experience, uh their you know, their knowledge of the the waste industry, if you will, and pay based upon that experience, all right.

So there's going to be a range in pay, whether a person is brand new to the business or if they are a long-term veteran of the business, all right.

So that is also a factor in that compensation.

So, you know, with that, all right, you know, they are going to start at a specific rate.

Uh when and if the yard chooses to unionize, right?

We will then I will then with my team sit down with the union representatives to go through not only the pay structure, but the benefits, work rules, and other issues that you would have in any negotiation of the union contract.

So, you know, to ultimately answer your question, Councilman Martinez, um, you know, they will if an employee chooses to work for it for priority, uh, they will be paid upon the agreed rate that we have with that employee.

And if they choose to become part of a union, we will then uh negotiate with that union body as to what the rates will be for all of the union members uh that are represented by the union.

Okay.

Um so but I'm sure you can understand the concern of working without a contract.

Sure, right?

Absolutely.

I just want to make sure that abundantly clear.

Yes.

Um and then I guess this is more to the administration in the event that we do move forward with priority, and for whatever reason, is there any room in the administration for any Teamster workers that could potentially be displaced within the organization of the City of Toledo?

We would um we always encourage uh anyone who is interested in being an employee within the city of Toledo to apply, and we would go through our normal hiring process as we um as we do.

Um I we don't we don't currently have anything um built into a contract for that, it is something we could discuss, but we don't currently have it written into a contract.

Okay.

So at least there's some willingness to work with okay.

So my again going back to uh other municipal employees, would there be any other displacement?

No.

This contract has has no impact on any city of Toledo employees, no employees within the city of Toledo are going to be displaced or lose their job as a result of this contract.

This contract is specific for curbside refuse recycling and bulk collection.

Okay.

And then I guess in terms of the dollar amount because it seems to be higher, um, and I am assuming there's some sort of value add there.

Um so I guess so number one, if you can explain that, but I have a follow-up question because it kind of ties in, especially given the what's going on globally with gas, my concern is that there's gonna be increased costs because of gas uh escalators and other fuel or fuel escalators.

I'm not sure if they use gas price diesel, but I I just want to make sure that there's no surprises, no nickel and diming.

Um, and then I have a follow-up contract question after that.

So that was a lot, I'm sorry.

This is the price that um was given to us as a part of the proposals, and this is the price um that that we are working with uh if council so chooses for us to move forward with the contract, this is this is the price that we have identified, and we do not anticipate that it would change.

That is correct.

We stand by the prices that we had quoted under the terms of the request for proposals that were submitted, and uh there would be no change to those.

And this was the lowest and best bid.

This was not the lowest bid.

So um so originally when we were working with the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District and we sought proposals, we received the proposals from the four entities that I had mentioned.

Um at that time, priority actually was the lowest price.

Um they offered the solution to bulk collection that we're currently doing, um, and they were the lowest price.

After conversations, interviews, and of course um uh the administration and the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District making it clear that um that we ultimately thought that um the workforce would unionize.

We allowed those providers to go back and submit a modified proposal.

After doing that, um priorities price did increase and republic chose to decrease um their price um as a result of that.

However, we feel the administration feels that priority is the best option for our residents and for the employees of the City of Toledo and for City Council ultimately.

I would like to remind all of the council members that during the life of the contract that we currently have with Republic, we have had to hire a blight team internally within urban beautification to help handle all of the bulk that Republic was not able to pick up as a part of the contract.

Additionally, we have been talking about improvements to bulk collection for years.

In 2021, we had to provide a letter, um, a notice of breach and demand for cure to Republic about the lack of collection that they were doing in our districts for our residents, and as a part of the contract that we had with them.

We have been having these conversations for over five years.

And coincidentally enough, in the last three months, Republic was able to change their bulk collection process to what priority proposed.

We feel we are adding value by going with priority as a part of this contract.

We will see a reduction of blight within our neighborhoods and an increased satisfaction to our residents.

That is the value that we feel we are going to get with this contract.

Thank you.

Um I have more questions, but I will yield my time and let my other members talk.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Councilmember Gaddis.

Thank you.

Um I appreciate you bringing up the uh Blake team.

Not only have we established it, but we've had to grow the Blake team.

Yes, we have.

Do you know how much we spend on the budget on the Blade team?

We spend 1.7 million dollars annually for the Blight team.

To pick up the stuff that's left in the street.

That's correct.

And those are all valuable City of Toledo employees.

Um we we do expect with priority that those bulk complaints will be reduced with the approach and method that uh priority utilizes.

They actually have two teams that will go out on a daily basis.

They use a claw truck, which um allows them to pick up those furniture items.

They're not going to be asking residents to cut their furniture in half, for example.

Um, they'll be able to pick those up right on the spot.

Um those members of the City of Toledo team, um, if we do find a reduction in in blight needs, for example, could be utilized in other areas of the urban beautification team.

We value them.

They are they are wonderful employees within the organization and and and we we would ultimately could use their skill sets elsewhere if if that's what happens.

Thank you.

By way of referral, could we see the results of the survey?

Oh, yes.

Um, there is a lot of data, and I am happy to provide that.

Okay.

Sure, of course.

Could we see the since the creation of the blight team every year, how many property cleanups slash whatever cleanups those are called for each year?

Sure.

I have some of the figures with me if you'd like me to go over some of them.

I brought them um some of the figures that we have since 2023.

So in 2023, we had 9,813 complaints and work orders.

In 2024, we had 6,924 complaints and work orders in 2025.

We had 8,245.

And then so far in 2026, so the last three months, we've had 736.

Okay, I appreciate that.

Um I guess one of the things I reading this is um I know we currently have problems with wrapped mattresses.

Um how is the administration going to take on since we're continuing the process of wrapped mattresses?

And that is something that we see a lot in in my district personally.

It is, it's something um we've discussed, and it's something that um we are through communication and conversations are gonna encourage, and maybe we could find a solution to to help get um uh mattress covers out, for example, working with Keep Toledo Lucas County Beautiful with our neighborhood partners and council to make sure that we have um uh those accessible to our residents.

Okay.

And then um I appreciate that you've listened to the the people as they spoke about accountability and performance.

Could you go into that more of how we're going to um hold better accountable and better performances moving forward?

Sure.

Actually, um Jenny Jakeway is uh uh has done a lot of research on this, and um I would be happy to invite her to the microphone if she'd like to talk about what some other municipalities do and things we've discussed as a part of this.

Good afternoon.

Uh councilmember Gaddis, could you please repeat repeat the question that you were asking from the Yeah?

So one of the big asks that we found out in the survey results is for better accountability and performance, and how are how is the city planning on moving forward uh with better accountability and performance?

So there is a best practice industry standard for a customer service call center and for my performance metrics.

It's called a service level agreement, uh commonly known as an SLA.

So in an SLA, you can build in, and this and our intent would be to build this into the contract and hold the provider accountable to the KPIs that we identify as a city.

So for an example, average speed of answer.

If a resident has to call solid waste for any reason, our KPI metric is that call should be answered within 90 seconds.

Um average talk time, average time to resolve, first contact resolution.

The same is said from an operational lens.

So say for an example, it's today's Wednesday.

However, many household collections are scheduled for Wednesday.

The SLA metric would be greater than 98%.

If for whatever reason we fall below 98%, we hold the service provider accountable.

We don't have that current state.

We learned as we did our research that that is a best practice that a lot of people have that.

Um we know what we can do better and what we must do better in, and that is we heard it from our residents in the survey.

They don't want to be held accountable if their garbage isn't picked up.

They want the service provider to be held accountable.

And so that's an example of items that we would put in it from a performance metric standpoint.

Other examples, we will have access to their software that you heard about custom reports, reports on demand.

Um we have our data, we know through CityWorks through engaged Toledo, all the people that call us.

So we would continue to hold a new provider accountable to the service level standards that we all have set, just like we do our current.

We have a process in place today.

It works.

We would continue that process.

Okay, thank you.

And as far as resident experience, why have you will they call engage or is the goal for them to call priority?

So I can um so as uh Chief Robinson mentioned our containers are already at the resident homes.

They are owned by the city of Toledo.

The phone number is actually on the container.

So the it the experience would be continued that the resident would call the same phone number, 419-936-2511.

They would receive a representative at priority waste on the other end of that phone during regular business operation hours.

After hours, or if the resident chooses instead of calling, you heard about a portal.

I'd like you to think of it in terms of our engaged Toledo mobile app.

We have a web portal that a resident can go on and request a city service.

We have an email, we have a phone, and we have a mobile app.

That's what their service portal is.

Instead of calling to request a bin exchange, you could simply go online to their customer portal and request that through the portal.

So if that's helpful, the intent would be during business hours, the resident would contact priority waste after business hours.

They could either go to the portal and self-service, if you will, or they could call engaged tele like they've been doing for the past ten years.

Okay.

And then we would have access to the complaints, like knowing Navarre Avenue, this block has been missed over and over and over again.

So we would know if those people have called in that something we could access.

Yes, you'll have real-time visibility daily.

Okay.

And then by way of referral, um, and maybe priority, could you give us examples of what other customized dashboards for um your other cities look like?

Uh I would be interested in um what kind of data they're capturing.

Uh yeah, I can provide you a sample too, but uh, you know, miss stops, uh first call resolution, um, you know, uh service verification, the the amount of you know stops compared to misses, there's all different kinds of things and we can through the transition we'll template and we'll provide uh a plethora of different things that we track um you know a lot of the things that keep Lucas beautiful regarding participation and things of that nature, right?

So we have the ability, because it's your data to to pull all of these different metrics and and we will work with you guys to go through and make sure that that each one is set up to exactly what you guys would like to see.

Okay.

Thank you.

And then just one more final um before I yield my time.

Um I think going forward it would be really helpful to put I don't know, um to make sure that council is gets an annual report on how things are going.

I think if we want to be transparent with um no matter whom we choose, no matter what we're doing forward, if we want to be um transparent with our residents, that kind of data is really important for not only us to hear, but for us to be able to share out to the community.

Yeah.

So what we typically do, um, and this can be at a more frequent cadence is a QBR, so a quarterly business review.

You'll be provided all that data.

Um that data is also loaded into the portal for all council and leadership by month.

Um, and then we'll do a QBR where we compare best practices and things of that nature, and then obviously a huge one at the end of the year to to kind of recap the whole year for you guys.

Okay.

That sounds great.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chair.

Of course.

Councilman Zarantu.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Apologize for my turniness.

I had uh an appointment with an ophthalmologist.

As you know, it usually takes two months to get an appointment.

So I'm sorry I was late.

Um I I want to follow up on the issue of unionization.

How long do you think it will take uh for if you get this contract for you to become a Teamster Union company in Toledo?

Well, it first and foremost is dependent upon the employees as to when they have a vote.

Uh that's again that's scheduled at their convenience at their time frame.

Uh they have a vote and they approve it.

Uh once it's certified by the NLRB, we can then begin uh negotiations with the with the union.

Now, again, as I stated, uh uh my intent is that we would begin the hiring process sometime in July with the intent with the hope that we would be fully staffed by you know early to mid-August.

All right.

So during that time frame, there's going to be training.

The employees will already be employed by priority, and they can then hold a vote at any point at that point to you to choose to unionize.

Once they've unionized, then you know we would immediately begin the process of negotiating a long-term agreement.

My current agreement with the Detroit Teamsters 247 is a five-year agreement.

Uh we ran it so that it was uh concurrent with the City of Detroit contract, and my my hope would be that we would negotiate a five-year agreement with a the local union uh selected by the employees.

Where else do you have a union agreement?

I know you have locations in Michigan.

What what other cities are that is my only yard that is currently unionized?

And the remainder of the yards have chosen to be uh non-unionized.

And how long has Detroit been un unionized with your since the beginning of the contract in 2024?

Okay.

All right.

Um I have a question for the uh chief of of public service.

Um the current contract that we have, and correct me if I'm wrong, the county uh instituted that contract, and we basically f followed that.

Am I correct in that?

In other words, they voted up, and then I think ten years ago or so, we renewed a contract, but it was written by the county.

Correct.

Um the current contract that we have with Republic Services is with um the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District.

The proposed uh legislation that is in front of council is um for the city to do to enter into contract directly with priority services for a new contract beginning on September 1st of 2026.

So the current contract, does it have any provisions when uh there is dissatisfaction uh with the company that we could have followed?

Um not really.

There are no sort of service level agreement commitments or any types of um key performance indicators uh uh that allow us to hold um republic accountable for for missed collection or or um delays in service, for example.

Um we we have um uh tried different methods and approaches um in 2021.

We did um off we did file a notice of breach of contract and demand for cure regarding our bulk collection services.

We've um as counsel knows, uh we have had uh multiple conversations over the years regarding missed pickups, um bulk collection uh complaints specifically, and and so we've done that through formal letters through you know our attorneys as well as the attorney with the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District.

So the contract we had from the county really had no enforcement provisions, and we were stuck with that.

Unfortunately, it's you're saying the new contract will absolutely, that is our intent, yes.

So according to my calculations, uh with the priority contract, it would cost the city about $1,750,000 more a year compared to the Republic bid.

And there were only two bids submitted.

Am I correct on that?

Um no, there were actually four bids submitted.

Okay, but you sent me only two.

What are the other two?

Um I I sent you four.

There was a spreadsheet that had um Republic Priority Waste Rumpkey and FCC environmental listed.

I'm happy to give those.

So there was original proposal submitted.

Um's original proposal was a monthly cost of 1,6,740.

Priority waste's original proposal was a monthly total of $935,300.

Rumkey's original monthly proposal was $1,353, excuse me, $53,000, and then FCC Environmentals original monthly proposal was $1,596,000 monthly.

Um there were after conversations, interviews, um, working with the service providers and having further discussions with the county and the city specific to union labor.

Um the county um sent a letter and allowed the respondents to submit modified proposals if they chose to do so.

Um priority and republic both submitted modified proposals, priority um included, of course, that unionized labor piece within that modified proposal.

The modified proposals, then um it was only republic and priority that chose to submit additional costs.

Priorities modified proposal was $1,120 monthly, and Republic's modified proposal was $977,600 monthly.

Okay.

We find that the what priority offers and the value that they will add could actually offer some reduced costs to the City of Toledo in the way that they do bulk collection and also the customer service level commitments that they're able to offer through their use of technology.

Um, as you recall, have had to hire a a blight team within urban beautification department that is costing us 1.7 million dollars annually.

We have also had to increase that team over the years to continue to handle the bulk collection that that Republic was not able to service.

We could, if if we find there is a reduction in complaints of bulk and blight, which we very much expect um based on what we have seen from priority, based on on what we have heard from other municipalities that utilize priority and are very happy with their bulk collection services.

We could reduce those costs in urban beautification that we're currently paying for our blight team because those employees who we value very much could be used in other areas of the organization of within urban beautification.

Okay.

So since January 5th, we've had uh bulk pickup every week on the day that garbage is also picked up.

Uh I've had numerous emails from people, numerous conversations.

I was in point place Monday night at a community meeting.

Nobody had any complaints.

They were very pleased with Republic services.

So let me ask you this in the uh January, February, March, have you has the Blight team been working uh at the same pace they were uh in 2025?

Because I don't see a lot of blight in the city anymore with with the weekly pickup of bulk.

That's a really good point.

The weekly pickup of bulk and that proposal is actually what priority brought to us.

We have been asking Republic to change their bulk collection for years.

We have letters, notice of cure letters that we have sent to Republic since 2021 asking them to improve their bulk collection.

And they were not interested in doing so until basically there was a little competition and we had a proposal from priority that is the exact solution that we have right now.

However, we have still had some complaints.

Our blight team is still working.

Um I just gave, I just currently we we have received 736 complaints into engaged Toledo regarding cleanups for our urban beautification team to handle, and that's three months of the year.

We have had property cleanups, non-compliant broke work orders that that team has had to handle for for multiple, multiple years.

Okay.

We've we've been trying to improve this service for a long, long time.

Well, but it seems to me that if we just started, you know, the weekly bulk pickup, uh, we need a little more time to evaluate uh how much more is going to get picked up and if it's not being picked up.

But to me, I also look at this from a financial point of view.

If we uh enact a contract uh with priority, it's gonna cost us uh eight million seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars approximately uh over the next five years.

That's a lot of money.

That's a huge difference.

And if Republic is doing a much better job now in addressing the bulk pickup issue as well as the trash issue, which all the reports I've seen and personal observation driving through and around Toledo, it seems um doesn't seem prudent to spend uh almost nine million dollars more over a five-year period.

Uh you know, granted things were not great uh previously, but they have improved vastly, and I I really think they are doing the job.

And I just from financial point of view, nine million bucks is a lot of money when we have such a tight budget, and it will be getting tighter.

Republic has had 10 years and a hundred million dollars to improve blight, and they've only done so in the last three months.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you.

Uh Councilwoman McPherson.

Thank you.

Um, I get that, Megan, that um they've had 10 years.

And um I had this conversation well, maybe less than an hour ago, where I believe that we didn't hold them accountable.

We didn't force their hands on a lot of things, and I came in um collaring and screaming my first year at Republic in several meetings, because I also live in District 4, where they were driving by, and I've had personal um issues with them uh driving by and not picking up.

So um I get that, and um just recently they've jumped into the weekly bulk pickup.

But here again, we're saying that we're gonna take priority and we're gonna hold them accountable and they're gonna do A, B, C, and D, but we didn't hold Republic accountable because there were many times when we said that our citizens were complaining of what they were not doing, and the administration did not jump on that.

And when I say jump on that, it's just like um when you have uh renters and you tell the renters to put their money in escrow until the landlord does what they need to do.

I believe that's something that we should have done to Republic when they weren't doing what we were paying them to do.

Now I don't have no problem with you because I don't know you priority.

I've only been dealing with them for five years.

Shout out to Cheryl that works for Republic because that girl needs a bonus for taking the calls and making things happen in my neighborhood, but for many of my residents.

Because when I call her and tell her about and send her the pictures, she then responds and sends me the picture of it being cleaned up.

That's holding people accountable.

Now I want to ask about this five-year contract.

One, why did we choose five years?

I'm with Councilman Serrantu about the money because here we are right here at budget time talking about cutting the budget, but we're increasing the budget if we go with this contract.

I'm leery too about uh organization that say, yes, I will let my employees join a union if they choose to.

Um that's hearsay.

Um that's not an actual, and things could change once we sign the contract with this company.

Um republic has employees that are not City of Toledo employees, is that correct?

That's correct.

So if we go with this contract, those employees that work for Republic could very well be losing their job.

That's not good.

I I not in these days and times, and I understand that we would keep our employees and those that do the book.

And I I gotta give a shout out to my book people for the city of Toledo, because they have been carrying a lot of the weight, and we spent the whole lot of money where we were paying twice.

We were paying Republic and we were paying the city.

We were paying our employees to go out and do what Republic should have been doing.

We should have, and I don't understand all the legalities of contracts and how they go, because when we looked at it and you said we didn't have anything that we could hold them about not doing what they were doing, the one thing we could have held was their money, and this company right here could turn around and do the same thing, and we would be in the same position.

So I'm not knocking priority.

Because Republic has screwed us for a long time, but on that same joint, we allowed Republic a lot of times to screw us, and we didn't hold them and hold their feet to the fire.

Now, so that should we give them another opportunity?

I think so.

I I I and that's just me.

Remember, this just me.

This not council, this just me.

Because you know I am labor, I support it wholeheartedly, and whether it's five people that's in the union or 20.

I don't want nobody to lose their job, and then we hold whoever we hire accountable from the beginning, and if they don't do what they're supposed to do, then we have to shut the purse.

We didn't do our due diligence in that, and in suffering, our citizens, our residents suffered on that.

And and I'm I'm done.

That's it.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, Republic, and good luck.

We um oh I was gonna respond to your question regarding the fight, why we sure sure.

Um, so one of the reasons why we opted to do a five-year with the option for you know, renegotiation or renewal is because we did feel like the 10-year contract without any ability for us to renegotiate or add any sort of performance indicators or service level agreement within that contract was too long.

Um as I mentioned, you know, back in 2021, we identified issues that we had that needed improvement, and we were sending letters and doing what we could as far as that contract allowed us to hold Republic accountable.

We were we were documenting that.

We have been doing that.

You know, we sent this notice of breach and demand for cure to hold them accountable because that's what the contract allowed us to do.

Ten years is a long time to not have any changes.

A lot has happened in the past ten years.

We find we we feel five years with an option for renewal or renegotiation as things do change, as we know is a much more appropriate term for the contract.

I appreciate that, and I think two years because I don't want it to get too far and get out of hand.

And this is a new company, and in five years, our administration totally changes.

I think two years with all of that in holding and and what happens, and if this doesn't happen and this and all of that, um and I think two years, whether it's priority or republic.

I think ten years is too long and five years is too long to go back and check.

And I agree with um councilmember Gaddis that council needs to have report on how and what they're doing, and I think we let Republic go too long without that.

Thank you.

Thank you for answering the question, Megan.

Absolutely.

I just want to chime in and say I've sat in that seat over there for eight years.

I think there's been six different general managers under Republic in those eight years, many supervisors in that time.

Um you know, we've all all reached out to them many times over the years to address concerns and address the issues that plague our neighborhoods that make our lives hell.

So I I and the only reason those notice secures went out was because we were screaming up here.

So I really argue with the fact that I I believe we were doing our job, and I would really appreciate if you could take a second to talk about the relationship with the Solid Waste District and why you're recommending that we do not enter into an agreement with the Solid Waste District, but rather bypass them in this case.

Sure.

Um so uh uh you know, ten years ago, Ryan and I weren't in these positions that we are in now in the way that contract was created and um with the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District and Republic.

Um you know, the county uh uh was serving sort of as a as a go-between um for that relationship.

What we have found over the years, and especially as Ryan and I have been um serving in these roles and Joe as um the new director for the Department of Public Services, it's the city of Toledo that's having those those those communications with the service provider with Republic.

You know, we're working with them directly, we're the ones that are talking to them on the daily basis.

It's it's Jenny and her team who are getting those calls and those complaints in and need to work with the Republic team uh uh to solve those those issues.

So we didn't find that it was really necessary at this point to um to to have the contract go through the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District.

We felt it was more appropriate to have that contract go with the city of Toledo and the service provider so that we could add those service level agreements in there so that we could hold them accountable so that we could be offering all of those um all those areas of of commitment that our residents wanted to see as a part of the new contract.

So we felt this was was a a better approach.

We also you know worked with the county through this process that that the county and the city both agreed this was a this was a mutual decision of of why we felt it was the best to proceed at this with this route.

And if I may add the existing agreement with the county holds the county responsible for service compliance and not the city.

So we were going through this triangle of communication and going direct with the service provider will allow us more control.

Thank you for that.

Councilwoman Jones Thank you, Chair.

Um thank you for the presentation and just the information provided.

Like my colleagues, we've received multiple emails saying stating basically staying with Republic.

Um because of course, like you said, they've been doing a good job for the past three months uh at this point.

But it was concerning to me as one resident had sent in a article concerning the changeover of the priority CEO.

What is as far as just the stability of priority and you serving as interim CEO?

I believe most of them were in Michigan where they were having a lot of complaints, and it seems like that was taken care of, but then this change in leadership had happened.

So what what is happening now that would really solidify that trust to go with you as a company?

Certainly, Councilwoman Jones.

So after I was appointed as the interim CEO, I met with a number of our various uh leaders of the various uh communities that we service.

Additionally, members of my municipal relations team also met with a number of uh number of leaders such that we have spoken with every community that we service, all right.

So, and basically I'm gonna tell you what I've told them.

All right, I have the full backing of all of our debt and equity holders, all right.

They are fully vested in priorities ongoing growth, all right, and stability as a company.

The changeover at the top was uh was based upon the fact that the ideology that was uh championed by the prior CEO was not consistent with what the board felt as the what priority needed to continue to grow as a strong stable company, right?

So I have been with priority since day one, all right.

I am well versed with this company.

I have served in basically every capacity in this company from chief financial officer to chief operating officer.

I've held the title of chief uh chief of staff, and I've been the general counsel since day one, all right.

So yeah, I've been able to meet with all of these leaders, including uh the representatives of the city of Detroit and the other major communities in Metro Detroit to assure them all right that priority is strong and is able to continue to provide the service that each community deserves, right?

And we would you know we welcome the opportunity to provide that service to the city of Toledo So, you know, from a big picture standpoint, we have the ability to place new trucks in your community.

We are looking to again hire residents of the city of Toledo to provide the services to Toledo for your curbside residential service, and uh you know, anything else that you may need, we stand ready to address and you know provide and be a good partner to the city if this city chooses to select priority as its provider.

Follow-up question to the recruitment.

Do you have an outline of or just something a documentation about your recruitment campaign?

I know that you have pinpointed that you will make it a priority to hire Toledoans.

What does that look like?

Um, how have you even looked at the I would say environment to as far as like who's available, how many potential employees that you would have, who would need training, do you offer like training for licensures, you know, CDLs or anything like that?

What are the benefits of being an employee of priority, especially in Toledo?

Absolutely.

So as an example with respect to the city of Detroit, uh we had a campaign that if a person wanted to that reside in the city of Detroit wanted to again employment with priority, uh you know, obviously you can't get a CDL overnight, right?

But uh if they first were hired as a loader and wanted to become a driver as an example, priority for those residents of the city of Detroit would uh sponsor those employees to get their license uh and become a driver and work in the city of Detroit as a as a as a as a driver working in the city.

Um, priority has been very adept in being able to provide the employees and the manpower and the customer satisfaction, you know, given various time frames.

Uh, you know, as an example, uh we were awarded the City of Flint contract uh with less than 30 days to hire you know basically 20 employees to provide you know full curbside service for the city of Flint.

All right.

Uh I wouldn't normally recommend that, but were we able to do it?

Yes.

All right.

Uh our very first contract with the city of Ham Tram.

It's a small community in Detroit.

Uh the incumbents, when they lost the contract, they decided to leave and breach that contract three weeks prior to priorities actual scheduled start.

All right.

So we had to scramble and we didn't miss a beat, and we had our trucks in the city that following Monday, despite no notice from the incumbent that they weren't going to show up, other than we got notice from the city that they were told that uh yeah our our current garbage providers done today.

We need you guys to start on Monday.

All right.

So yes, I can provide you a our general plan and some in some case studies as to various incidents of how we've handled different uh communities.

And what will be basically the priority or incentives for those living in Toledo?

Well, I would start ideally with again offering something similar that we had with the city of Detroit, where if you are a resident of uh Toledo and you are able to gain employment with priority and you wish to get a CDL, we would provide that.

Um then we would also uh generally speaking work with you know various outreach and uh various uh you know with the city itself to help fashion an overall campaign to you know attract you know additional employees.

So I don't have in stone a full plan, all right, but we would have that well in advance.

It's March now.

Again, we'd be looking to begin that hiring at the end of June, beginning of July.

So it seems like you're equipped to you know handle transition, which brings my question to Chief Ropeson as far as let's say you know, we do go with priority and Republic is like whatever, we're we want to cut short.

What is that plan?

Sure, um that could happen.

Um priority um has actually experienced that in the past, and so they have been through that process and as they mentioned, they've already um you know acquired a building, they would they would look to um probably republic employees, for example, employees that live and work within the city of Toledo, people that would want those positions to hire them in to be able to um get get that equipment on the ground and make sure that refuse and recycling was being um picked up.

They've had experience doing that in the past with um providers walking away from their contracts as well.

According to this timeline is I'm assuming the yellow and black is the start date in September?

September 1st would be the start date of this of this contract, yes.

So I mean if it's going if this goes on for months.

Because of the transition, are we are is priority ready for that?

If if that's called then we still have April, May, June, July, and August, you know.

So I know it the story had three weeks before, but it could be months before if that's the case.

But um other than that, um I I do have to leave a little early because I'm hosting uh another event, but um I would uh by referral definitely would want some more data with that, especially with the recruitment aspect of it, and then also um would want to look more into this technology piece.

I still have to well, unless you have that, what's the difference between priorities technology versus republic?

Sure, I think the biggest um difference is that it is real time and that there are cameras on the trucks and that the um the the team that currently would be at priority as a dedicated um city of Toledo team currently if someone calls into Republic, for example, that call could go to someone in Las Vegas or Charlotte, North Carolina, for example, um, and that you know, when we get a call in to engage, we typically have to create a service request.

We then have to go and investigate it.

Our team is doing that work.

Ryan and I are doing that work.

Jenny and her team are doing that work with what uh the technology that priority has to offer and with the prior uh with the portal that they were speaking about, the dashboard, for example, all of the um uses uh Jenny and her team would be able to see that in real time.

They'd be able to communicate with those individuals in real time and and be able to answer questions to that resident uh on phone.

No.

I'll probably have to do this by referral.

Um, but as far as you know, the real time and it would there be a transition period of that technology to get connected to Engage Toledo is just all set up.

That is something we would work on as we're going through the contract to make sure that it's ready to be set up on day one.

Yep.

Okay.

I those are a lot of my questions.

I mean, I want to hear more of especially when it comes to our union workers, what that process looks like, because if Councilwoman McPherson is saying that's not true, then I would need to see some data, some statements, things of that nature.

Because we don't want to put people at risk of losing their jobs, losing just income for such a service that is essential.

This is literally trash, and that's a public health issue.

So with that being said, I'll put in some referrals, but thank you just for providing the information and then I'll follow with you.

Absolutely.

Happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, Chair.

Of course.

Um I'm gonna continue with councilmember questions, but it's all your second time, and I really want to get to the public.

So if you could keep your remarks brief, it would be appreciated.

Um starting with Councilman Martinez.

Uh great.

I was actually gonna go ahead and end, but it was really just I wanted to answer um, I guess maybe just adjust uh my colleagues um statement about um seeing any reduction in complaints.

Uh so as a district rep, um I get three major complaints bulk pickup trees and sidewalks.

That's the majority of my um complaints.

Um I've not seen a reduction in complaints to the district.

As a old South Ender, I drive there because I have a lot of family down there, and I get I handle some district three complaints on behalf of my colleague.

Um I do keep her aware of it, and I've not heard any reduction either.

So just from a district rep perspective, I've not seen a difference yet.

It could be too early.

I give them that.

Um I was gonna get into more specifics on the contract because I had very specific questions than the difference between what we're at with the Lucas County solid waste and why we weren't able to hold anyone accountable to versus now, um, regardless of who we choose, will we be able to hold either party accountable?

That is our that is our intent, yes.

We would write that in the contract.

We um the legislation that's before council actually is what authorizes us to enter into contract with the provider.

Uh so we don't have a finalized contract, but as Jenny was mentioning, some of those uh KPIs, key performance indicators, some of those service level commitments, best practices, it's it there these are items that we have uh discussed with with all of the parties that submitted proposals, and it is something that we have planned on including in this contract for a while now based on um some of the experiences we've had with the current contract.

Got it.

Okay.

I I will yield my time.

Thank you.

Yeah, thank you.

Uh Councilwoman Kramer.

Thank you.

I very quickly, and I I want to clarify for everyone in the audience too.

So on Tuesday, before council is to approve the contract with priority, if that is not voted in approval, then what happens there?

Uh quick point we're first read, so we're like three weeks from voting potentially right now.

Thank you.

Yes.

If the contract were not to be approved by city council, correct.

So currently the contract that we have with the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District and we're public services expires on August 31st, 2026.

If um the contract were not to be approved by City Council, um more than likely what we've done in the past is we would have to rebid it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilman Sarantsu.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I'll be quick too.

Uh speaking of uh Lewis County Salid Waste, uh, by way of referral, I'd like to know what communications were made from the City of Toledo to Lucas County Solid Waste regarding complaints that you had about republic.

In other words, were they written?

Were they just phone calls?

Were they just uh c informal meetings?

Because it seems to me if they drew up the contract and they're responsible, I'd like to know what we did uh in terms of talking to them.

Um I'll send a referral on that.

And I specifically I want to know what and when what was discussed and what was written with regard to Lucas County solid waste and what did they do to correct the situation?

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, Councilmember Gaddis.

Thank you.

And I I'm on the same thinking line as uh councilman Sarant too.

I'd love to see a timeline of action that the administration has took um with any of our partners that are are involved in this.

I think that that's going to be really important.

And then just finally, I just I just want to say that trash is so much bigger than just clean streets.

When when we talk about how it bleeds into safer neighborhoods, um it lowers crime when your streets are clean, it raises the health, the morale.

I mean, trash is a huge component of the health and well-being of our city.

So this is this is a big uh thing for us to take.

So thank you.

Thank you, Chair.

Of course.

And with that, we'll move on to the public comment period of the committee hearing.

I'm gonna do my best to say your names.

Don't hold it against me if I don't get it right.

Uh just as a reminder, you'll get three minutes uh to speak.

There's gonna be a clock here, here, and here it's it'll display your time.

I will gently nudge you at three minutes and encourage you to politely wrap up your comments if you haven't yet.

Um I don't want to use the gavel, but I have in the past.

Um so with that, Janet Beam.

Yes, I'm Janet Beam, and I live out near off of Hill Avenue between Reynolds and Hill.

Um I'm sorry, what?

Oh usually everybody can hear me.

Um I'm Janet Beam.

I live off of Hill Avenue between Reynolds and Hill.

Um Reynolds and where am I at out there?

Anyway, Mr.

Hobbs is my council person, so I'll try not to embarrass him tonight.

Okay, um we've went and checked on a few things that I'm just gonna share.

Better business bureau rate for Republic is A plus.

Better Business Bureau, also for the other name, is F.

Uh we've checked and then some other things here, and Republic source uh as of 2.7, and which is a compliment.

200 compliments.

The other one had one point, and it was uh thousand compliment.

So trying to figure out who's who here.

I only go by what I live in and what I see.

I've been a neighborhood block watch leader for years.

I hear all the complaints.

You think you get complaints?

I could probably top you.

So I get them in with the people that they need to talk to.

That's why a lot of them know me because I do talk and tell them where to go.

Um and if I can't get that, then Mr.

Hobbes has to step in.

So uh I'd like to share some things in my own neighborhood.

We really have no complaints, maybe a few little things.

They call if there's something wrong, they get it taken care of.

I've never had any problems.

I call out to the office out there, it's taken care of that day if it's possible.

I guess I'm pretty lucky because I've heard other people complain, but in my neighborhood, everybody's pretty happy there.

They get their garbage taken care of.

And we have neighbors that aren't real good about that, so you have to be diplomatic and try to get that taken care of, and you always need that help too to get to know how to do that.

So I'm just here to support my group, the wonderful people and the my my garbage guy is so great.

We always have a little wave and special because I always get out there to try to put it back before it sets out there.

I I just am very happy with it, and maybe that's unusual, but I just like to be the first to say I'm happy with that company, and I'd hate to see it change, because I'm sorry, I don't know you, and I don't know you, you know, what you could do.

I don't have any complaints, and my neighborhood seems pretty happy.

If they're not on if they are unhappy, we get right in with the company, and they they take care of it.

So that's all I've got to say.

Right on time, Janet.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Uh Diana Schreiner.

Diana Schreiner.

Uh my name is Diane Schreiner.

I live in Bancroft Hills.

I also write represent United Neighborhood residents, and we are very much in support of Republic.

No one is perfect, but when we have issues, they're resolved.

That's all we care about.

Republic services have been a union since 2005 with 54 employees.

Priority is non-union.

They say they're going to be if the employees went to, that's not an answer for me.

And to and Toledo is a union town.

One thing that I think is missing in this whole thing is the you need to hold some of the citizens responsible for what they put out and how they put it out.

And the flight you say team also, they've picked up things like tires and other new and nuisance houses.

They don't also just pick up after Republic.

Because they Republic has been doing a great job since we switched to the every week.

And pride doesn't have a clue.

So let's not reinvent the wheel.

Priority waste dumped the CEO and co-founder in a major shakeup, which is upsetting to me.

Priority race had to apologize to Superior Township residents in Michigan for their poor trash service.

So talk is cheap, so I think we need to stick with Republic because they already know the ropes.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um Mark Meenhausen.

Also, if we can hold applause until the end, that would be lovely.

Good evening, City Council.

My name is Mark Schmiehausen, principal officer and president of Teams Local 20.

Well, I have a statement to read in the record, but before I do, I want to put on the record this gentleman sitting in front of me here, who is the intern CEO, who has been with priority since day one, put on the record that they would give their employees the choice to be union.

They don't care by any union.

Teams Local 247, the principal officer Paul Harris, who I'm very good friends with, had an organizing drive in 2022 to organize 30 drivers.

They had an election, they won their election, it was certified by the labor board, and the very next day priority fired 20 of those drivers.

Our attorney right now is getting the case law from the NLRB to prove to prove this.

The IBT got involved.

It took over a year and a half to get a contract, and that's because this company wanted to run the year in a day out for decertification.

So I want to put that on the record when they come before City Council and the residents of Toledo, that it's a union town, proud union town, that says that they will do whatever it takes to work with a union.

Thank you.

City Council members.

It's a reckless decision that could put cost service quality, worker safety, and public trust at risk.

This is not a minor change.

This is a direct threat to an essential public service and residents rely on every single week.

The solid waste division in this country is the fourth most dangerous job in this country.

Republic services sanitation workers are trained professionals.

They are Teamster Local 20 members who perform difficult, dangerous, and thankless work every day to keep the city functioning.

The work under established standards that protect safety, demand accountability, and ensure proper training.

Replacing them with a non-union contractor is ill-equipped, undermanned, and surrounded by rumors of controversy, uncertainty is not smart governance.

It is a gamble with public service.

And it's to be on so let's be honest.

This gamble will not even save the people of Toledo money.

Year one alone, with the bid that priority has uh submitted to City Council is gonna cost this city one million seven hundred and forty-eight thousand four hundred dollars in year one alone with a total increase over a five-year contract of eight million seven hundred and forty-two thousand.

That's money over and above what what Republic has proposed to City Council.

Is that saving money in a time when in America the cost of everything is high?

What makes this even worse is that Republic has already shown it can respond when the city rises raises this concern.

You brought them an issue and they delivered a solution, not excuses, not promises of solution.

And that solution is working with the data to prove it.

So why would this council even consider replacing a company that has responded, improved and produced results with one thing that brings uncertainty, risk, and a record of workplace safety violations?

Trash collection is not a place for trial and error.

Residents will not wait patiently while a new contractor figures it out.

They will see the consequences immediately.

Miss pickups, unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, overflowing trash, and neighborhoods that pay the price for this council's bad decision making.

Toledo is already dealing with enough problems tied to negligent landlords.

They're the ones creating the problem, not following the process.

Other communities have already learned this lesson the hard way with priority waste.

Toledo should not be lining up to make the same mistake.

And let's not ignore what this says to working families in Toledo as a union town.

It has always been a union town.

Union jobs built the city and union workers continue to hold it together.

These jobs provide fair wages, health care, retirement security, and dignity.

Replacing them with non-union labor is a slap in the face to every to the people who live here, work here, spend here, and raise their families here.

It weakens the local economy, it undermines the middle class and tells working people that their loyalty and service means nothing.

When a cheaper political uh talking point comes along.

Just two weeks ago, U.S.

Secretary of Treasurer of Transportation Pete Budicat and Congressman Marcy Captor were here in Toledo speaking about the importance of supporting good working people, protecting jobs, bringing industry to Northwest Ohio.

These words mean absolutely nothing.

If the city turns around and helps his manual union jobs at home, and I urge his council to make the right decision.

You come to us looking for our support, we won't forget.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Carlton Certman.

What I have to say shouldn't take more than a couple minutes.

My name is Carlton Surtman.

I was born in Toledo in 1942.

And here I am at age 84, still above ground, and still in Toledo.

I love Toledo.

The past 53 years, I've been a Toledo homeowner.

The first 16 years in East Toledo on Worthington Street.

The past 37 years in Point Place, where I currently live on Lehman Avenue.

They say it's the best place, any place, and I've become a believer.

The past 15 years I've witnessed rescues and recyclables pickup service that has been outstanding in our neighborhood.

We're blessed, apparently, because I hear horror stories, you know, East Toledo, for example.

But you know, Gary Linhart, I go to the meetings, one voice for Toledo, and he's dealing with this on a day-to-day basis, and I know you are too, Teresa.

And I gotta think that some of these bulk pickups that are put out are ransacked and not able to be picked up in a man in many instances.

And that's where this blake comes in, and you do the cleanup.

Okay, continue on here.

I might go three minutes now.

So the standardized containers that we went to, I believe it was 15 years ago.

Outstanding, durable.

And you know, before it was a hodgemodic containers that had holes in them and they get kicked over.

So big improvements by the city of Toledo in that respect.

And those containers, I understand, are owned by the City of Toledo.

And uh what I've witnessed is efficient, conscientious, and hardworking people with Republic services.

And I've also witnessed a significant improvement this year, personally.

I've witnessed bulk pickups, which was commenced weekly at the beginning of the year, and with no need to schedule such such pickup.

And I've personally seen these bulk pickups, and these these crews, they're picking up large items.

They're picking up couches, they're picking up mattresses, uh large bags of garbage that the residents couldn't get in their containers.

And they're hustling.

So like they're on a time clock.

They're moving.

And they're very thorough in cleaning up the space that they they leave.

We're at three minutes.

Oh, okay.

I'm geez, I'm sorry.

I'm not privy to the intricacies of the five-year contract bids received from public public services and prior waste, so I can't spoil speak the dollar amount differences.

I only know what I learned in the media.

I find it disconcerting.

And that uses non-union labor in many locations.

It has bad track record from the standpoint of the quality of their service and their financial situation and top management turmoil, in essence.

We would be gambling with the company of questionable stature.

When you decide who all we are refused pickup company for the next five years, I respectfully ask you to not attempt to fix something that's not broken.

And please, please, please be good stewards of our money.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Blair Johnson.

Uh good afternoon, my name is Blair Johnson.

I'm a South Toledo resident and a local entrepreneur here.

Uh my first concern with this new company would be capacity, accountability, and overall operational readiness.

Um based on what has been stated today, the proposed pr proposed provider will have to build their workforce and does not have the necessary equipment on hand, which trucks will have to be ordered.

And we know since COVID, timely orders are not timely anymore.

Uh what can contingency plans are in place if there are delays in hiring or equipment cannot be delivered in time?

And how are we ensuring residents will not experience service direct disruptions if those times lines are not met?

We've also heard the proposed timeline is to begin hiring in July and be fully staffed by mid-August for a September 1st start start date.

That is an extremely tight turnaround.

We're talking about building a full workforce, acquiring equipment, training staff, and standing up operations for a city of over 260,000 residents in a very short amount of time.

What guarantees do we have that this timeline will be met?

And if not, what is that contingency plan?

Beyond that, what insurance do we have that once those initial startup teams are gone, service levels will remain consistent and not decline?

Also want to add context that a lot of blame has been placed on the current provider regarding blight, but that responsibility is not solely on them.

We have a serious issue with illegal dumping across the city that has existed well before the contract.

We also have no problem area, such as the old city waste management garage on West Delaware and do in uh I-75, which has been a regular dumping site for years since it has been vacated, and that wouldn't fall directly under the current provider.

So how are we separating service performance from broader issues like illegal dumping?

So we're making the right decision based on facts.

With multiple bids submitted and the current provider reportedly offering a lower lower cost, what's we know some of the specific factors, but moving with a cost that's almost double the amount.

We're being told, you know, as citizens that there won't be a financial impact to our bills, but what does that look like long term?

Because those costs that they're adding don't just disappear.

Where is that official additional funding gonna come from?

And how will this impact residents down the line?

If the current provider is willing to match the proposed service levels, including clear performance standards and KPIs and upgrade their service at a lower cost, has that option been fully evaluated?

Additionally, would the city consider including the performance-based clause in any contract that would allow it to be reopened or rebid early if service expectations are not met.

Also, what accountability measures are in place?

Because locking into a five-year agreement without strong protections creates real risk.

Because even if we go with the new tech new new provider, we can still be locked in five years of trouble.

Toledo is a union town.

We have experienced local drivers here today.

There are local jobs and local tax revenue coming into the city.

How are we prove protecting that workforce and what guarantees are in place that this new provider is not if this new provider is not currently union and with some of the information we just got that they're actually going to be following a man of their word.

This is not just about trash and Toledo.

This is about service reliability, economic impact, and whether residents can trust basic city services.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um I think the last name is Hendrix.

I apologize.

Uh yeah, yeah, okay.

You're the next step on the prices right.

Hi.

My name is Slinda Hendrix.

Is that better?

Yep.

Hi, my name is Linda Hendricks, and I have lived in East Toledo my entire life.

I have been a community activist since beginning of time.

And I know most of you in console.

And I have a very unknown uh forgotten forgotten fact, I think.

In 1984, I know a long time ago, um, the city had a functioning blight commission board.

It was made up of all members uh of the community from every neighborhood, and there is there was a proposal by that board sent to the city that outlined much of the um proposals that we're talking about today.

Um the hoarder I am, I still have a copy of that um commission.

I am here to and I have dealt with trash issues as a block watch leader and whatever.

In fact, my first cleanup uh rat ran across my foot.

Um cleaning up from an alley cleanup in the neighborhood, and in that neighborhood we removed over 14,000 pounds of trash.

I am here to say that trash is a very important issue, and I am so glad that city council uh approved the ability of republic services to be able to pick up larger items on the week.

That has made a huge difference.

Um I'm tired of my neighbors not obeying their trash laws and their junk for plight word.

Um Republic Services has improved.

Um I call um Amy, whatever back there.

I call her when there's an issue when they haven't picked up my trash, and it is usually picked up within um a couple of hours.

Um we do need to hold people accountable for our trash for them to put out um to put it out properly and to deal with our slum landlords who don't give a flying fig um about what they do.

And I am concerned about our streets in East Toledo are very narrow.

A lot of them are on a curve, and um we need to figure out a way to um get our trash picked up on both sides of the streets.

And I've been to Detroit and I've seen the amount of trash that is left in um the neighborhoods, and frankly, I'm appalled.

Um, and I firmly believe in unions and the contra any contract that we set out should be they should be mandatory um union workers.

And the why do you pay somebody that has a new job?

A different wage, and it's not union.

I know I'm over my three minutes.

We appreciate you.

Thank you so much.

Um next I have Miranda Napier.

Hello, my name is Mariana Napier.

I have been born and raised on the East Toledo.

I've seen a lot of issues with trash and everything, but when I do, it's picked up.

I never had an issue with Republic.

I've called and within time frame of the same day, everything's picked up and done for.

Like they love when they come out, they go out there, the drivers, we have a great bond between us and them.

My issue is why would we bring in a new company when it is nonunion and then get away from people who have helped our community who have been with us for years and try to help us with everything we've done.

I just look at it as more of why like she said, why get rid of something that's not broken?

them my issue is why would we bring in a new company when it is nonunion and then get away of people who have helped our community who have been with us for years and try to help us with everything we've done I just look at it as more of why like she said why get rid of something that's not broken I hope that you guys take in consideration that these are people's lives in everything that they are human and people do make mistakes things do happen but the mistakes get rest get fixed within that time I just hope that you guys take in consideration that Republic is there for us and we've never had any of any big issues going on in my neighborhood I've grown up in East Toledo I bought my first house in Toledo I believe that being born here and raised here and seeing the issues of going on it's not republic's fault I think we more need to have the community more looking into everything because we have residents that don't care that just throw things everywhere um we've I've had a issue down the street from my house and I called republic public within an hour all of it was picked up I just hope that you guys take in consideration to stick with a company that is trying to improve and not a company that we have seen multiple times not set a record for what we are already established with.

Thank you.

Thank you up next is Rick Rolfe good afternoon still afternoon right um I appreciate opportunity to be able to talk to all of you my name is Rick Roth I'm the general manager for Republic Service in the area.

For 15 years Republic Services has been trusted partner in Toledo providing reliable waste collection and responsive customer service during the recent procurement process Republic Services submitted the lowest cost proposal.

Our year one rates are not only 1.7 million lower than the other finalists they're also three percent lower than the current rate that's provided to the City of Toledo State law and the city ordinance requires the city to select the lowest and best bidder in procurement contracts Ohio revised code 735051 only allows an exception in the case of a real and present emergency what is emergency at the at the city city claims excuse me what what is the an emergency that the city claims is driving their selection of the higher bid in our meeting with the city officials no one is able to address that.

Why?

Because no emergency exists further the the emergency must be found by two third vote of the council I would encourage each of you to consider this as you weigh your contract why is the city waiving its own brid procurement requirements and recommending the approval of a more costly contract why should your constituents pay more than the exact for the exact same level of service while you contemplate these questions I also want to address Republic Services committed commitment to the city and the community we pride ourselves on a response responsive customer service in recent months we have modified our bulk trash collection to meet the community needs at no additional cost as a result customer service calls are down and customer satisfaction is up we are prepared to offer new technology to the market that allows residents who opt in to track their truck along its collection route and receive service alerts and other real-time updates feedback from the excuse me free feedback from both the city and Lucas County confirms this we employ a hundred and fifty four people in our Toledo business unit including 82 who live and work in the city of Lucas excuse me the city and Lucas and as you can see in the back there's the team these these guys are the best they take ownership they're proud of what they do every day and the things that they do out on that road says a lot to me every single day we're at three minutes Mr.

And as you can see in the back, there's the team.

All right, let me just finish.

The decision you're about to make will make a very real impact of the people you're looking behind me.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Gary Lenhart.

Good afternoon.

Thank you, Consul, for this opportunity.

And I especially wanted to thank Mr.

Comise and Ms.

Gaddis, uh, council members for leading the trash talk series.

Um it was during those meetings that I first met a Republic Service employee ever.

And I thank you for that opportunity because those of you who know me know that that's when my collaboration immediately started.

And for 10 months, I've been working with Ms.

Bowen, who the rep that I've met at the first meeting I attended, um, and tried to work towards solutions to the problems we're having.

And since that time, we've been chatting every week and touching base about what is and is not getting done.

Things are changing for the better.

Um concerned about some of the things that we're thinking now.

I have to admit that I was probably the most vocal critic of Republic Services for the last nine years.

Um, but I also keep an open lens.

It's during the process of talking about trash and the collaboration attending the meetings.

I attended three of those meetings, and one was hosted, I believe, at the enrichment center as well for East Toledo and others to attend.

So I just wanted to say that I'm concerned about the direction we're take we're taking.

Uh I'm concerned about the non-union issue.

I'm concerned that we are willing to make housing in Toledo more affordable with the PLA, but now we're going this way.

Doesn't make sense to me.

It doesn't seem to fit the fit the situation.

I'm concerned about having grown up on a farm, we raised a lot of animals, and we raised sheep, and I always had to be aware of the wolf in sheep clothing.

And I'm really conscientious about that today.

I'm concerned we're can even considering a five-year contract.

Um, regardless of whom is selected, I don't have a vote here, but regardless of whom is selected, I would suggest that we do a two-year contract with the renewal option of three years based on performance.

Why do we want to get stuck for five years again?

I'm concerned about costs.

I thought we had a tight budget.

I thought we were trying to cut costs yet, and still are trying to get five percent from a few departments that have an AND up.

With that 8.7 million, we could know at an average cost of $18,000 of demolition.

I'll take that 483 houses we can get rid of in these Toledo with this overcost, the gap between the two bids.

Because when we get done all these fire-burn homes overlooking our school, elementary school, Oak Street had not even burned out homes that haven't been demolished in eight years.

That's ridiculous.

We could demolish 483 of the worst homes in Toledo with this overgap in the bid.

I'm concerned that our wheel of opportunities Toledo is now.

We have a river walk, river gallery, and everything happening, and we can't get things cleaned up on Miami Street.

Give me a break.

That's a gateway to east Toledo from the casino off the expressway, and we're gonna leave that trailer park or ruined there, sitting there like that.

Unbelievable.

I'm concerned the ability of priority services to absorb 94,000 customers impacting 270,000 residents in Toledo.

When they took on Detroit and 700,000 new customers, they struggled.

Then they acquired 80 municipal contracts in Michigan in July of 24 and had a very challenging transition period.

They experienced significant, well-documented struggles, including risk pickups and long delays.

Thank you, Ms.

I'll leave my time with that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Fanny Effler.

So Fannie Effler, 2830 Collingwood Boulevard.

Thank you to those who stuck around for this uh public conversation.

Uh I'm surprised that the city's been struggling like this.

I I participate actively in two neighborhood groups, Old West End Association and Toledo Old Town Neighborhood Association.

I didn't know the city was was thinking.

I Rick Rolfe has been to my last two monthly meetings to work with us on the new spin-out of the five-item large item business.

You guys, you could have come to us, you could have come to the neighborhoods.

We know how to get things done.

I'm a big fan of engaged Toledo.

Jenny Jake was the best.

Republic services is responsive.

We don't have we have when we have problems, we talk about it.

We don't go flip to a brand new administrative choice of garbage service.

It's like insane.

This is like this is like a divorce situation where you don't like what's happening, and rather than go to mediation, you just divorce.

No.

We are now mediating.

Yes, and I think there are responsible people here who are talking with Republic.

Republic's made changes.

Rick Rolfe has been great at our meetings.

We have not had complaints, and shame on the us as a city administration that there's been this frustration for 10 years, and you didn't tell us.

We're the people who are affected.

Come to us, talk to us, work with us, the neighborhood groups.

So you guys know what you know.

If Facebook had feet, this place would be overflowing.

The f I learned about this meeting today through the East Toledo community group.

Seriously.

I didn't hear about it from any of my council folks.

I don't complain to you guys.

You don't clearly complain to me.

Well, if there's no complaints, then I guess there's no problem.

So why in the world would we spend another three point five million dollars?

That's what I saw somewhere.

Because the Blade just picked us up and TVG and TOL just picked it up.

I emailed each one of you to say, what the heck?

Do you want citizens there?

Blast us.

District 4 usually sends out a blast whenever they want participation.

I got no blast from District 4.

I wait Teresa Gaddis, God lover.

I think sent an email.

I didn't get that either.

Um but and sent an email to her folks.

And fortunately, I watched what Gary Lenhart is doing, and then and I hope he gives that speech to you in writing, because Gary knows his statistics.

Count on Gary.

I know my emotions.

My emotions are don't switch from republic.

Don't spend more money.

I'm already angry you're going to $18 for for uh trash pickup.

Now you have the money to spend another that's our $18 is going to spend another three million to a brand new service.

No.

Thank you.

A fan of engaged Toledo, fan of Republic services.

No reason to change.

We are getting it together now.

And by the way, five bags of trash does not make does not cure blight.

You're gonna have blight.

I heard 1.7 million a year for the city to pick up blight.

Heck, against 3.5 million extra to priority.

You're still gonna have the city picking it up.

Jenny's still gonna have to bust her butt to clean up our our city because you're only taking five bags.

That does not cure blight, you guys.

Get out in the neighborhoods of the city.

Say it again.

That was the decision of Republic.

Thank you.

Your time is up.

Okay, cool.

Thanks.

Yep.

Um Renee Dallas.

Hi.

My name is Renee Dallas.

I used to live in Bancroft Hills.

Now I live diagonally from Bancroft Hills in the area of West Bancroft and Upton area.

I have a big problem with you, councilmen and councilwomen.

Republic and priority are not the whole picture of this.

We are not talking about the landlords or other garbage services and trust services in our community.

So we need to be aware to not to just blame one or the other who was doing majority of the service.

And that's what I feel is what we're missing.

Me personally, Republic's getting their act together.

Golly gee, they're following through.

Why?

Because I think you guys put the pedal to the metal.

But once again, I asked you guys to reconsider and keep working with them.

But you guys, there's one-fourth of our city that Republic does not do.

And it's out of their control.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mike Haynes.

Good evening.

My name is Mike Haynes.

I'm sure all of you know me.

The president of the Toledo Police Patrolmen's Association.

Um I live at Douglas in Sylvania, as far as trash goes.

I don't have any problems.

They wake me up every morning at seven, light clockwork on Mondays.

So that's how I get to work.

Really one of my main concerns is the financial budget that we have.

Um paying more for a service that is for the most part equally the same.

I can put the dots real close together.

What was being said was they started to perform when contract time came up.

So a performance evaluation that the think tank here put together, uh shorter contract or a long contract with an opt-out type of piece unilaterally based on performance, three strikes rules, something like that would most certainly be beneficial for the city.

Um, and we would be in control of the contracts.

It sounds that we weren't prior.

So contracts can be anything.

I mean you can put anything in it, really.

Um that's kind of where I'm leaning towards.

The budget problem is a huge problem.

Coming to me asking for potential layoffs.

You guys have been uh presented with uh slowing slowing a police class down, um, maybe even canceling a police class, lowering numbers.

Uh trash is very important, police is very important, fire is very important.

All the city services are very important.

So to really pull that budget together and strap on, you know, get the belt a little tighter and figure out what we need to do uh if they offer something, if the other company offers something that's a luxury and we're that tight, it's just like being at home.

Some days eat peanut butter and jelly, some days eat state.

If you can't afford steak, it's peanut butter and jelly time.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Tony Toddy.

Good evening.

I think we've entered the evening.

Um thank you for the meeting.

Thank you uh for bringing everybody together.

Tony Toddy, uh downtown Toledo resident, uh UAW local four team president, and uh UAW uh cap council president.

Um I'm dealing with the trash company right now, and it's called Value Point.

Uh they're union busting, they brought in these outside consultants to uh talk to the people, and they've already fired two of the union leaders there.

Um, from what I've heard about this company, um, we could face the same problems.

Uh this is a union town.

Uh we've been in this town for a long time, and I want to applaud the workers, the great clearing workers of this town.

And if they were going to be considered, they should have to go to these 54 workers first.

Um, but I don't like doing business uh with companies uh with terrible reputations and the fact that only one union uh uh unit that they have, why are not the other ones unionized in other union towns?

I gotta believe they're not truthful with what they say uh when it comes to the workers' ambitions for unions.

Um so we're watching that.

Our 25,000 UAW members in this union town are watching this decision as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Paul Kilinski.

Good evening, council.

I'm Paul Conwinsky, uh Secretary Treasurer and political action coordinator for Teamsters Local 20.

Today's emphasis or this evening's emphasis has been service.

And one only has to do a quick internet search uh to look at areas uh that currently or most recently have been provided service uh by priority in September of uh 2024, Dexter, Michigan.

Uh priority done.

Orient Township to switch garbage haulers effective in January.

This story was published in October of 2024.

Done.

Macomb Township.

Could find priority waste for complaints.

This was just in July of 2025.

Board issues notice of default that could lead to action.

McCone Township again, board puts priority waste on notice.

This was July 22nd of 2025.

In January of 2026, West Bloomfield Ridge residents say priority waste did not pick up trash for weeks.

Uh residents of West Bloomer Ridge neighborhood say they waited weeks for their trash to be picked up by priority waste.

Prior says that they only face delays this week due to the weather.

Because we all know that the weather isn't much better in Toledo than it is in West Bloomfield Hills.

The comments that were made regarding uh no city employees being affected by this decision or potentially.

I must say, as uh Councilman Saranto uh has pointed out this is a more expensive contract.

It's gonna add up.

And it's gonna add up big time.

If we're looking for a 5% reduction in all of our departments.

That's what we're faced with.

And we're looking for an increase for solid waste.

That money's got to come from somewhere.

Is it gonna come at the expense of city Toledo City of Toledo employees that are in the blight program?

Is it gonna be police officers?

Where is it gonna come from?

So Ms.

Robson can't say with certainty that this is not going to affect city employees.

That's an issue.

With that, I just like to close with.

Um I would urge this council to think very carefully about the choice before you.

Stand with the workers who have faithfully served the city, stand with the residents who deserve dependable service.

Stand with the values Toledo claims to believe in.

Replacing trained union workers with a non-union alternative is not progress.

It's not reform.

It is not responsibility.

It's a step backwards and a costly one at that.

If this council chooses to abandon union labor for priority waste, then it will be choosing instability over experience.

Risk over reliability and politics over people.

Thank you for the time.

Thank you.

Um Mark Sabzak.

Name's Mark Sobzek.

Used to sit where you were Nick.

I'll uh I'll caution you.

I was sitting there, I would ask the guy from uh number two or three guy from um casino in town when they moved in what was going to happen to our uh harness racing track.

Told me totally different markets, totally different markets.

No effect whatsoever.

Uh didn't get it in writing, not through referral.

Uh nine months later, the racetrack was closed.

Uh so talk is cheap.

Um as far as uh suggested referrals, I want to get into a question and answer with our uh folks from priority.

I'm sure they're good folks.

But I would ask uh that you ask them by way of referral for their non-union employees when they say they have competitive wages, what in fact those are for their non-union employees.

Uh the entry level is what the top rate is, what the median rate is, what the average rate is, to have some idea of what uh our workers will be having to work for uh until and if and when they ever would uh achieve uh uh a successful organization, which as a lot of you know is very difficult in this day and age.

Um you know, I I when I was the chief of staff and I was on City Council, City Council President, I I I I was loath to uh point fingers at the administration.

It was an easy, it was sometimes easy to do.

And uh I I I always supported their efforts because I believe they come to work every day trying to do the best job they can do.

So that being said, um it's it's it's a little tough for me to say these questions, but I think no matter who we have doing this work for us, if the city doesn't enforce our rules with regard to set outs, we're gonna have the same problem.

You know, you're not gonna get rid of 1.7 million in blight uh pick up with a bat team, beification action team, whatever they're calling it now.

If you don't enforce what happens, because no matter who you have doing the job, if there's a set out that gets gets mauled by the uh uh the citizens of Toledo, by trash pickers, by whomever, you're gonna have a mess on your hands.

Who's gonna come and get that when it's in noncompliance?

Uh you know, it's uh and and who's gonna put it into compliance.

So we're always gonna have a bat team to have to do some mop-up for people that don't follow the rules, or the uh or set outs that get uh uh uh trashed beyond what we can uh expect people to pick up.

Um I just have one other question I'd ask them is uh where are they gonna house these uh vehicles?

Where are our workers gonna have to drive to get their truck in the morning?

Um so with that, thank you for your time and appreciate you guys doing what you're doing.

Um it's a tough job, uh, and uh you're doing a good job at it.

So thanks for this opportunity to let the citizen engage.

Uh it's a very important thanks.

Thank you.

Um Tyson.

I'm Susan Tyson.

I actually have lived in Toledo all my life.

I'm in Theresa Gaddis's district over by the infamous sinkhole on Arlington.

And I just want to say that I would give Republic another chance.

I have like multiple questions, but I think it's like if they can give us a two-year contract that we can keep a better, closer eye on them, because right now they've been doing a fine job.

I've lived I've been a homeowner since 1989, and I'm usually the one calling engaged Toledo on a regular basis.

And Nick and George, you know that on a regular basis because we went on drive ride-alongs for all the blight, but I agree with what the gentleman just said before me.

We are not going to get rid of the blight, no matter if they have you know, five items that they can set out.

There's no way that they're going to, we're still going to have to have the Blake crew come out because you have the problem is we have so many rental properties in the city, especially in my own neighborhood.

There's at least a hundred.

And I've literally done a lot of research with the Secretary of State following who belongs to these houses.

Some are either behind on taxes, and some just don't even care.

The renters don't care.

They will put out whatever they want.

They don't even wrap a mattress like they're supposed to.

And even currently, we've had dead rats in our neighborhood.

But some of it's just people's trash in their own backyard.

Now I have to follow all the rules and the laws and stuff in the city.

Why can't they?

The problem is we only have 10 city inspectors that go around to deal with all this stuff.

And you know, a $75 fine for a first offense is not enough for these landlords.

They need to be held accountable for the stuff for their renters.

And then maybe possibly we wouldn't have as much blight.

A lot of people don't even know what they can recycle.

And you know, you can tell them what number to call for engaged Toledo all you want, but apparently a lot of the citizens do not know how to read.

Because I've called Republic Services myself, and I've either been told that yes, I'm I can they'll take care of it for me for this bulk pickup, which is not my property, or they tell me that they can't handle it because I'm not the homeowner.

So I honestly feel that you guys should keep Republic services.

This 1.7 million dollars.

It's we don't have the economy is not worth it, and I'm on a fixed income myself because I'm on disability, and there's no way that I'm gonna want my pro my prices to go up for trash.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Kathy Shotty.

I've been a South End resident all my life, and you know, I respect Republic services for what they do.

Um gotta hold everybody accountable for their trash and their yards.

And we don't have the staff to do it, but we need to get more people that to clean up the south end.

That's all I have to say.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Uh Christina Rodriguez.

Dylan Keel.

First off, I'd like to thank all of you guys still here.

Uh, I think it's absurd that there's six empty seats.

Uh but I appreciate it.

I'd like to start off by saying just last month, Priority Waste fired their founder and CEO and removed them from the board.

Priority is a young company only being founded in 2018 and already showing signs of instability.

Priorities bid was one point one million one hundred and twenty-three thousand three hundred dollars per month.

While Republics was only 977,600 to service 94,000 homes in Toledo.

Priorities bid is almost $5,000 more per day than Republic's.

It will cost the City of Toledo $4,856 and 66 cents more every single day over Republic's bid.

Priority took over much of Southeast Michigan when they bought out equipment, employees, and municipal contracts from Green for Life Environmental or GFL in the summer of 24.

The transition was littered with complaints of service problems and improperly maintained equipment.

Residents and dozens of municipalities tell of excess missed pickups, which burned relations and damaged reputations for the company.

McComb Township, along with others, activated default proceedings in their contracts, and others, such as Clinton Township, find the company for missed pickups.

Issues in the Oakland County area include missed pickups and billing problems.

Some, such as Bloomfield Hills and Harrison Township, switched waste hauler entirely.

Bloomfield Hills made the switch just this January.

Macomb Township Treasure Leon Drowlett has been quoted.

Our top priority is just ensuring consistent service to residents.

There's been some tough spots in the priority waste service over the past year.

So at this point, we're in a holding pattern where we look at what our potential midterm options are.

Do we need to go to bed early, even though we've got two years left on the agreement?

Where are we going to be a few months from now?

Officials cited improved customer service and technology as key factors.

The company offers real-time truck monitoring, route trafficking, or route tracking, and integration with engaged Toledo, as well as dedicated local service contact.

Even though they're faulty and improperly maintained equipment is one of their biggest complaints.

Republic's bulk curbside pickup change just this January from monthly to weekly, showing signs of Republic trying to please Toledoans.

How do we know priority?

We'll do the same.

The president of Teamsters Local Twenty has stated that Republic could lose upwards of 54 union employees.

And as it's been said by almost everybody else in front of me, Toledo is a Republic town.

And this is to bring in so far a non-union company.

Is why is the city of Toledo willing to pay almost $5,000 more every single day to accept a contract from a company that shows all the signs of being unable to complete the task at hand.

Thank you.

Mary Hammond.

Lori Hammonds.

She left.

Thank you.

Uh Dan Rabb.

Good evening.

My name is Daniel Rabb.

I'm the president of the Toledo Police Command Officers Association.

I'm here tonight because I've been in the same meetings as my union brother Mike Haynes, where we've been told that the departments need to cut 5% from the budget because the city has to have a budget cut.

Yet we're willing to spend more than our budget for Republic for trash services for an unproven company.

I don't understand why we would risk the possibility of layoffs of our own employees.

We've delayed the police class currently, so now we're delaying safety on the streets as well.

Why we would do that to pay more to a trash company that's not going to do anything better than Republic?

Over, I believe we said 3,600 survey people.

People answered the survey if I'm correct.

So over 200,000 residents of the city of Toledo and 3,600 had a problem, and now we're going to change what we're doing and spend millions more.

Over 3,600 residents.

That tells you something right there that the other 200,000 didn't have an issue.

Me personally, I've had one interaction with Republic.

I missed the garbage put out.

The driver saw that.

He said, put it out when I get done with your street.

I'll come back and get it.

And he did.

So that's all that's my interaction.

The other interactions, I don't have time to track their trucks all day long because I work.

So if tracking is a sales point, I don't know who's watching that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Christine Franks.

She left.

She also left.

Christine Frank?

Yes.

She left.

Thank you.

Uh is there another sign up?

She do we know?

Bill.

Can you check for me, please?

No?

Wonderful.

Thank you.

Is there anybody else who wishes to come forward and speak before this body?

You're welcome to.

Uh please come up.

Good evening, everybody.

Good evening.

Redon Jones.

Um, I am a UAW Local 12 member.

I'm also a resident of Point Place.

And born and raised here.

Keeping trash collection in Toledo with the unionized company isn't just about service.

It's about people.

It's about the workers who wake up before dawn every season to keep our neighborhoods clean and our city running.

These are our neighbors, our family members, people who take pride in this community because they are a part of it.

Outsourcing this work to a non-union company nearly 45 minutes away sends a message that those workers and the dignity of their labor don't matter.

It risks cutting corners on wages, safety, and accountability, all while taking opportunity away from the very people who live here and care about the city.

Toledo deserves more than distant contracts and disconnected services.

We deserve to stand by the people who have always shown up for us and keep this work in the hands of those who called this city home.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Please.

If you would say your name for the record, please.

My name's Larry Keel.

I grew up, was born and raised, grew up on the east side of Toledo.

The young man that just spoke was my son.

He didn't mention that he did grow up on the east side of Toledo.

I've worked for Republic Services for 15 years.

Prior to that, I worked for the City of Toledo Solid Waste Department.

I transferred over back in 2011 at the age of 36.

At the age of 51, I don't want to be looking for another job.

I reached out to Miss Gaddis with no response.

I emailed her several months ago back in, I believe it was November.

The guys that I work with are hardworking men.

I'm not saying that everybody's perfect, but they show up for work every day.

They come out, they do their job, they go home to their families.

I will be displaced after 15 years.

And I understand that city council isn't the ones that privatized.

I understand the county commissioners did, but when they did that, I either had a choice, take a pay cut or go to Republic Services.

I want to Republic Services.

Now I'm being told by City Council that it's potentially you guys are gonna cost me my job.

Because if you guys do away with Republic Services, I will be I'll be laid off.

I'll be one of the ones after 15 years at the age of 51.

I think you guys should reconsider it.

I think you guys should take another look at it and retain Republic Services.

Keep the union, the union members of local 20, which I've been a part of for most of my adult life.

I bought belong to two unions.

And I think you guys should keep Republic Services.

I appreciate you for your time.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Please come on up.

We got room for maybe one or two more after this, so hi everybody.

Thanks for uh hosting us here.

My name's Jerry Harris.

Uh I work for Republic Services.

I'm actually in sales.

Um my job has nothing to do with the city of Toledo.

My job is to go to businesses in the area, and if they're not blue, try to convert them over to blue.

Um, so that that is what I do for Republic.

Um, I love working here.

I love the people that I work with.

Um, if I ever have an issue, it's one phone call and it's done.

Um I provide quotes for businesses in the area, and I meet with 15 or 20 businesses a day.

And if I am successful in receiving a quote, I would say half of them are against priority.

Um, priority expanded very, very quickly.

I'm sure you guys are aware of that.

And um because of that expansion so quickly, there's a lot of service issues on the commercial side of their business.

Um, and that's something I see speaking with again, 15 to 20 businesses a day.

Um, that's all I have to say.

Appreciate you guys, thank you.

Thank you.

State your name for the record, please.

Hi, my name is Cheryl.

Gaston.

Um the go-to person that most city council people have called.

Um, my go-to for my job, guys.

Just like Mr.

Larry Keel, who was just here.

I came over here to um Republic Services.

I was there for Salaways at 2011.

I was there too.

I get displaced.

I was had an option to go over to Republic Services, and I've been there ever since.

Somebody said that we've had different ops managers, different hands.

I still remain there, still been here.

With all our changes, I'm still here.

Fourth Republic Services.

Can I say I'm like the little the glue of it?

I am the little of the glue of it.

I'm I talked to my guys, I preach to my guys.

We're all not perfect.

We're not perfect.

But gave us the option to build.

I've always said we the city and republic, we can do things together.

That way we can get the message out there.

Nobody's ever said anything.

McPherson and Miss Teresa Morrison, those are only two that ever cause a reach out.

Councilman Hobbes has as well.

Like you nobody can pick up a phone to say something unless it's negative.

Give us the opportunity to fix the things that you guys are saying that we're so bad about.

That's all I have to say.

Thank you, Sheryl.

All right.

Any opportunity to say anything?

To close?

No?

Uh last one.

Come on.

Come on, come on.

I promise.

I'll be quick.

I'll be quick.

I'll be quick.

I'll be quick.

Hi, my name is uh Jade Sendley.

I work with Republic Services.

I was born and raised here.

Um thing that stuck out to me, and I keep hearing is the residents of Toledo.

Um I am a resident of Toledo, born and raised.

They had mentioned something about uh about what they do for like an incentive for their employees.

When I started with the company, I started off on the back of a truck throwing trash.

They sent me down to Texas, they gave me my CDL before this job.

Honestly, I had no experience.

Didn't even know if I was gonna be an employable person, to be honest.

Hadn't very little work experience.

Through this job, I now have a career, a livelihood, and I can support my beautiful kids and family because of this.

Not only did they send me down there to get my CDL.

The training that management and Republic has put in place has given me the opportunity to rise up in that company.

I'm a swing driver.

I'm one of the main drivers that clean up probably most of your guys' stuff.

Uh I just would like to say thank you for your guys' time.

We're doing our best.

And like everyone said back here, we're gonna keep doing the hard work and putting in the work to remain this to remain the to retain the contract of the city of Toledo.

So thank you guys very much.

Appreciate your time.

Thank you.

Okay.

Anything else from council members?

No.

I just want to close with this.

First, we absolutely appreciate the workers.

There's no doubt.

I I've I can't imagine having to load all the things that you guys pick up on the side of the road.

Uh it must do tremendous things to your bodies, and we sincerely thank you for that.

We believe that it's so important that you have good benefits that this body is making it very clear to these people sitting in front of us that it must be a union if we're gonna move forward.

That is a requirement that we cannot make be.

Undoubtedly.

All of the concerns that we heard are certainly real and valid, and I also know what our experience has been like uh sitting up here.

I wasn't joking when I said I've been sitting in this seat for eight years, and I can remember when uh councilwoman McPherson started, and just I remember those hearings.

We had hearings monthly, probably, begging for something to change, for something to change.

And it wasn't the workers, you guys, in fact, what we found in our survey and from doing our talk talking trash series, we found really clearly that the daily job that you all do is working.

Picking up people's gray cans, picking up the recycling is working, and we really appreciate that.

What we found to be a challenge is certainly bulk.

And so we are unfortunately in this moment tasked with a really difficult decision that we have to make.

A decision that we have to weigh that uh the the reality of of our experience of being up here and hearing countless complaints and really begging your bosses to listen to us.

We want it, we want to work with them.

I don't think it should be the case that somebody should have that a count uh a resident should have to call George Tarontu and then call you, Cheryl, just to get something done.

I I wish that it would just happen.

And I think that what we're trying to figure out is what does that look like, right?

We are being faced with an opportunity to perhaps utilize some new new technology, some new ways to integrate things that might make those experiences easier for people.

Accountability does really matter.

It's really important to us.

We don't want to have to call any of you.

And so it has been a struggle.

We've sent many notices.

We've sent countless communications.

We I have unfortunately I have all six of those general managers' phone numbers in my phone still.

Um the reality is we just need we need it to work.

Uh and this body is focused on that.

So in front of us right now, this contract uh or this ordinance is sitting in front of us.

We have another three weeks before we might take a vote.

Um I think that there's no doubt that this body will continue to ask questions and do what we need to do to do our homework to make sure that we're making the best decision.

And I want to make it clear that it's not easy.

I also hear all of the comments by the residents who are calling for stronger requirements for property owners.

You're right, blight isn't just the responsibility of our waste management company, it's the responsibility of all of us.

It makes me angry when I see my neighbors toss their garbage out on the street or throw their uh Wendy's bag out of their driver's window right on our street.

I've watched it happen.

I don't understand it.

You know, we all have to live here.

I don't want to live in a trash bin.

Um we have an insurmountable task.

Um I want to highlight a couple of things that have been said to me by Republic leadership through this experience because I think it's important.

Also for everybody to understand why this decision is in front of us.

When being presented to Republic told us that they go into schools to do education with students upon further questioning, when I said, Can you name one school that you've been in in Toledo?

They did not.

And you know why?

Because they don't do education in schools, they provide a curriculum, which is very different.

I I highlight the story in particular because it goes to show that everyone wants to claim that priority will tell us anything we want to hear, but Republic is doing the same thing to us.

And in fact, in my experience, they've been doing it while I've been sitting over there for more than eight years right now.

And it wasn't only, it was only when we had the threat of a potential switch that they take any action.

That was the first time that they ever offered an alternative solution to bulk.

The first.

So my request to you all would be to push up.

Push up.

We're not talking about drivers, we're talking about republic leadership right now.

So I think um I just want to say really appreciate you're taking the time.

You guys sat here as long as we did.

Uh because you it matters to you because it cares, and undoubtedly uh trash in our community is a public health issue, it's a blight issue, it's a quality of life issue.

So uh we're doing our best to get it right.

Uh, I really appreciate all the comments that you brought to us today, the questions that you have.

I think we certainly all have more homework.

So uh with that, I will conclude this meeting and just again say thank you.

This meeting is adjourned.