EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
In the midst of a lockout between Allied Waste Services and it's union employees, the city of Evansville is announcing it will accept bids for a new and improved trash service, and the city will hold three public meetings to get your input.
The city insists this has nothing to do with Allied's lockout of workers from Teamsters Local 215, but that it has everything to do with improving service, and keeping Evansville clean.
Since April, members of Teamsters Local 215 have been locked out and on the picket line.
"Trash is a messy business. It's not something that most people like to think about," said Allen Mounts.
Mounts, who oversees the contract for trash service in the city, says that has nothing to do with Evansville's upcoming request for new bids.
"It really has nothing to do with our desire to bid the contract and doesn't have an impact on the services we provide," Mounts told 14 News.
Instead, Mounts says the city is ready for a new age with a new fleet of automated trucks that pick up larger, more durable bins similar to those already used in nearby Owensboro.
That will help keep streets and alleys cleaner.
"With these containers that we're using, rodents won't be able to break into them, so we'll be free and clear from all that plus it cleans up the look of those alleys."
Another goal? Improve recycling.
"It will increase five-fold the container that we're using for recycling services and we really want to promote that," Mounts said.
Mounts and other city leaders will hear neighbors' concerns and comments during three public meetings to be held next week.
Those meetings are free and open to the public.
"I'd like to see people there. It's good to get the feedback from our residents, to not only increase awareness but to listen to their feedback. There may be things that we're not thinking of that we should be so we always welcome that feedback."
Right now, it's unclear if a new contract will mean any change in rates.
Mounts says the city will put the contract out for bid sometime next month.
Meeting dates, times and locations:
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Public Meeting
C.K. Newsome Community Center, 100 E. Walnut Street, Rooms A & B
5:30 p.m.
Mayor Winnecke's Traveling City Hall
Oaklyn Library, 3001 Oaklyn Dr.
5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Public Meeting
Holy Rosary Church, 1301 S. Green River Road, Parish Hall behind the church
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Waste services topics to be discussed at the meeting include:
Residential trash service
- Standardization of residents' trash containers – 96-gallon cart (or smaller cart available upon request)
- One time per week pick-up service (operate service five days per week)
- Automated curb and alley pickup – convert alley to curb pick up where conducive
- Special spring cleanup service (for four weeks in spring) \
- Special unlimited bagged (biodegradable or paper bags) leaf service in fall
- Christmas tree pickup (with normal trash)
Recycling service
- Commingled (or mixed type) recycling, making recycling easier
- Every other week automated service at same location as trash
- 96- or 48-gallon cart (green color-coded lid for recycling)
Heavy trash services
- Spring and fall pickup (same as current program)
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