March 24, 2015: Authorize the proper city officials to negotiate and enter into an agreement with Minneapolis Refuse, Inc. (MRI) for the collection of garbage, recycling, problem materials, large items, mattresses, yard waste and source separated organics for approximately one-half of the City’s dwelling units for a five-year term from August 31, 2015 through August 30, 2020

December 10, 2014: Direction to provide City-wide, opt-in, source separated organics collection was provided to the Department of Public Works, Division of Solid Waste and Recycling through the 2015 Council Adopted budget.

September 10, 2013: Authorization to negotiate and execute an agreement with Minneapolis Refuse, Inc. for the collection of garbage, recycling, problem materials, and yard wastes for approximately one-half of the city’s dwelling units.

In 2015, the City negotiated and executed the current 5-year contract with Minneapolis Refuse, Inc. (MRI) to perform the day certain collection of garbage, non-recyclable large items, recyclables, source separated organics, problem materials, mattresses, box springs and seasonal yard waste in the designated area(s) of the City, for approximately one-half of the City’s serviced dwelling units.

Day certain collection services require MRI to follow the City approved plan for scheduled collection, transfer, and delivery of materials. This schedule requires that a route must be serviced on the same day of each week, based on a five (5) day, Monday through Friday, working week, with the exception of major holidays. When a major holiday occurs, all affected daily routes are collected one day later than normal, and are still completed within the week the Major Holiday occurred. MRI is performing its contracted duties in a satisfactory manner and is a contractor in good standing.

Public Works is recommending a three (3) year extension to the to the current five (5) year contract with MRI. The current agreement includes annual price escalators that would continue through the extended term, with no other contract changes.

The department is recommending this extension due to critical, resource demanding initiatives during 2019 and 2020 (list below). These changes present significant challenges in conducting a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for these services during this same time. Public Works understands the importance of the competitive RFP process, but believes that it is in the best business interest to conduct the RFP process after near term initiatives are complete and a year prior to the end of the three year extension with MRI.

SWR initiatives 2019-2021

• Transitioning of employees and equipment from two (2) locations, 2710 Pacific St. N and 210 City of Lakes into new facility*

• New Solid Waste data collection system in mid to late 2019

• Construction of the new SWR facility to be opened in late 2019/early 2020

• Repurposing and maintenance to the South Transfer Station

• Maintenance and potential modification to the North Transfer Station

• Relocation of cart inventory

*The impact on collection routing is a substantial challenge. Sufficient time to evaluate the most efficient way to route SWR trucks from this new location is necessary in maintaining high quality of service for Minneapolis residents, and could result in modifications to the defined boundaries for contracted services, a component of the RFP.