City to Renegotiate Contract With Athens, Forgoes Bid Process

Citing the city’s apparent overall satisfaction with , the Glendora City Council voted Tuesday to renegotiate its contract with the waste management company, rather than put the contract out to bid.

The city negotiated terms of its current contract with Athens in 2006, but with the 7-year contract nearing its end in 2013, city officials said they must determine terms of its next agreement.

The council chose to either renegotiate its existing contract with Athens, or seek proposals from other waste management services, ultimately deciding on renegotiation with Athens Services in a 4-1 vote.

While council members – along with the majority of residents and business owners who spoke during the public comment period – agreed that Athens Services provided the best quality service to the city, questions were raised on the transparency of the renegotiation option.

Council Member Joe Santoro, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said a bid process would offer the city’s taxpayers the assurance that the most expensive city contract had been awarded to the best possible vendor.

“I have no doubt in my mind that Athens has the capability to do everything better than any one else,” said Santoro. “I just think it’s good business to, number one, find out what’s out there . . . I just think we owe this issue, which is the biggest contract the city has, to take a look at all the details . . .  not only to the city, but to the taxpayers who are paying the bills.”

But on the strength of the council’s belief in Athens Services’ performance, and the low number of reported public complaints, the council deemed a formal bid process unnecessary.

“Athens performs a job that is second to none. They pick up anything,” said Glen Pine, a 58-year Glendora resident. “Personally, I think if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”

Council and public hearing comments also praised the company’s involvement in various community events.

Athens’ chief operating officer and executive vice president Gary Clifford also served on the Glendora city council and as the city’s mayor before he stepped down in 2010.

“We owe a duty for due diligence to make sure the services we provide are fair, with reasonable value for the fees. Then once we satisfy that, I’m not too concern with actually going out for a public bid process,” said Mayor Doug Tessitor. “That is a process fraught with uncertainty and it’s not a guarantee that we are going to get the value for the dollars expended.”

The council directed staff to renegotiate a new contract with Athens Services. However, if the city and Athens fail to come to a satisfactory agreement after eight months, the city may initiate the bid process.

Once an agreement is reached with a waste management company, the contract will be brought before the council in a public hearing.