Council signals support for replacing sweepers

City workers like Steve Haley still operate Lodi's massive street sweepers.

But if last night's City Council meeting was any indication, they will not do the job much longer.

Despite opposition by the city's rank-and-file union and concerns from the mayor, the council said it supports further talks with a private garbage hauler that has offered to take over city street sweeping.

Under the yet-to-be-completed deal, Central Valley Waste Services would take over the service as part of a seven year extension of its garbage contract with the city.

Officials expect to complete that contract within the next few months.

It is not clear how much garbage rates would rise under the new deal, though they could go up about 10 cents per month, under one projection.

"It concerns me that the city manager and public works director think so little of our services to the city of Lodi," said Haley, who has worked for the city for 30 years, the past nine years operating the sweepers.

He noted that no one knows Lodi's streets and how to best clean them like existing city sweepers.

City Manager Blair King and Public Works Director Richard Prima said the potential move was not a comment about the quality of the sweepers.

Both said they are doing a good job.

Waste Management, however, might be able to do the job more efficiently than city workers, Prima said.

In other action

The City Council voted to drop the city's protest against the East Bay Municipal Utility District in exchange for the delivery of 1,000-acre feet of water during the winter. The water will supplement the city's needs and will be part of the 6,000-acre feet Lodi receives from the Mokelumne River, through the Woodbridge Irrigation District. It is part of the city's overall plan to rely less on groundwater and move toward surface water usage.

Following recent and critical comments about City Manager Blair King, Councilman Bob Johnson defended the top official, noting the council has been "very, very happy with his performance." He noted that King undergoes annual reviews by the council and has received "glowing" comments. "Has he made everybody happy? No. Has he ticked off people? Sure he has. ... (But) I think Mr. King is doing an excellent job and I'm very happy to have him as our city manager."

Postings on an anonymous blog, which has since been removed from the Internet, and a recent letter to the editor published in the News-Sentinel attacked King and his management style.

— News-Sentinel staff

It already sweeps streets in Stockton and Woodland, company officials noted.

Contracting out the service, along with several other tasks like leaf pickup and emptying park trash cans, would also free up city money and manpower for much-needed street repairs, King and Prima said.

The city now spends nearly $700,000 per year on salaries, tasks or fees that Waste Management would pick up.

King said the city would not eliminate that spending, but redirect it toward street paving or sidewalk repairs.

Prima stressed the city will not lay off any workers should the service be contracted out. Instead, the city's two street sweeper operators would be given other assignments within the streets division.

Mayor JoAnne Mounce peppered Prima with questions, including whether workers had been notified of the possible change, and about what will happen should Waste Management do a poor job.

Workers, including Haley, said they'd only been notified recently, while Prima said he has been negotiating the deal since December.

Prima added that it would be a "financial burden" to take back the service should Waste Management do a poor job.

The city would sell two of its three sweeping machines if the deal with the private company works out, Prima said.

Other council members, including Larry Hansen, signaled support for the change.

He said he is in favor of getting "the best service for the lowest cost."

The bottom-line argument provided little consolation for Haley.

"I think the city would really miss a big resource and a handy tool if they got rid of the street sweepers," he told the council.

Contact reporter Chris Nichols at chrisn@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

OTH wrote on Apr 6, 2008 8:57 PM:

" Eileen St Ives If Stkn Waste Management requires their drivers to be more concientious about picking up the trash, how come they leave a lot behind on the streets? "

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Eileen St Yves wrote on Apr 5, 2008 12:13 PM:

" The street sweeping should be done by Central Valley Waste Recovery, aka Waste Management. When the City of Stockton included street sweeping into the Waste Management contracts, the city streets are cleaner than they have been for years. It also allowed the waste haulers to require their drivers to be more conscientious about picking up the trash. They leave a lot behind on the streets. "

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JustTheFacts wrote on Apr 3, 2008 10:00 PM:

" Is Mr. Haley part of the same union or bargaining unit that didn't want their represented employees to have to wear nametags? He doesn't seem to be afraid to give his name and speak up. This isn't meant as criticism or anything personal against him. I believe that he is a hard-working employee and he should be applauded for speaking up. It just makes me wonder who's giving them counsel regarding labor issues and what to speak up about and when. "

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JustTheFacts wrote on Apr 3, 2008 9:51 PM:

" And I'm sure there's room back on the Street crew for those drivers. If all else fails, put them on the graffiti abatement crew. "

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JustTheFacts wrote on Apr 3, 2008 9:49 PM:

" If the City's contract with WM is being negotiated, make sure that there's a clause that makes WM responsible for any additional costs if the City has to "take back" or supplement the street sweeping activities if WM doesn't maintain a certain standard. Let the City take that money when it's collected and before WM gets it. That way, taxpayers aren't burdened again for the additional costs. "

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s & W 500 wrote on Apr 3, 2008 7:36 PM:

" Steve Haley is known as "the company man", I worked with him in the Streets Dept when I was in college. He is a very hard working man, a good man.

The City (Blair) is trying to shift things to make them look nice. WRONG! We loose sweepers so CVWS takes over the contract @ 5-10 cents more a month, BUT the $700K will still go to city to cover sidewalks/paving...??
The city subs most of that out to contractors. Where do the "Employers" (US), Save? Blair you are full of *&#T! Passing the buck stops here! "

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girard74 wrote on Apr 3, 2008 11:28 AM:

" Steve Haley stated, 'He noted that no one knows Lodi's streets and how to best clean them like existing city sweepers.'

While that's a nice sentiment, it is hardly a valid reason for not looking to more cost-effective alternatives. Such a thought would leave us wondering what on earth will we do once Haley and the others decide it's time to retire.

Oh, I know - train someone else?

Also, the story mentions Central Valley Waste Services as the one company under consideration; yet Waste Management was referred to seven paragraphs later. Curious. "

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the truth wrote on Apr 3, 2008 10:41 AM:

" no one else knows the streets and how to clean them? Come on Mr. Haley, driving a really slow machine up and down the gutter isn't molecular biology. I also think the guys that collect the garbage know the streets just as well as anyone else. Don't fear the gravy train coming to the final station, they will find you another task that is equally challenging and rewarding "

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backncardr wrote on Apr 3, 2008 7:38 AM:

" "Waste Management, however, might be able to do the job more efficiently than city workers, Prima said.It already sweeps streets in Stockton and Woodland, company officials noted."

WM does a great job up here in Woodland and their job has been lightened by the addition of toters for yard waste-which they also pick up.
"

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