Garbage issue goes to negotiation

The likelihood of solving the number of complaints about missed garbage collection by installing cameras on both sides of Progressive Waste Solution garbage collection trucks turned out not to be as simple a solution as envisioned by the Solid Waste Committee which recommended amending the contract during Tuesday night’s session of the Acadia Parish Police Jury.
Though Juror A.J. “Jay” Credeur suggested one camera would be enough to confirm the garbage cans collected, Dave Clabo, area marketing manager for Progressive, asked who and how the cameras would be monitored for the seven trucks which service the parish.
Clabo also revealed the trucks are already equipped with cameras which monitor both the driver for safety and the equipment.
Clabo nevertheless volunteered, “We’d be glad to work with you.”
Credeur suggested Progressive should install the cameras to avoid potential $250 per unit fines if the garbage isn’t picked up within 24 hours of notifying the company.
Juror David Savoy said he wondered if the problem wasn’t due to new drivers unfamiliar with the assigned collection routes.
Clabo responded that, since June 2, the firm has received only four complaints. “We have a crew of good drivers,” he explained.
Juror Julie Borill remarked, “We need to come together to settle this issue.”
When previous fines haven’t been collected, Clabo said Progressive needed to receive documentation to back up claims of missed garbage collections.
Clabo also noted some system of recording “pings” to identify addresses of missed stops was necessary.
After Clabo repeated, “We’re willing to sit down and negotiate,” Savoy, who chairs the Solid Waste Committee, moved to “sit down” with Progressive to discuss a possible compromise. Juror Dale Trahan seconded that motion and the full Jury agreed.
In other action, jurors set millage for the 2015 tax year totaling 19.54 miles –– the same level as 2014.
Jurors also approved tax elections for Fire District 10, Fire District 8, Consolidated Gravity Drainage District 1, and Acadia-Evangeline Fire District. Fire District 1 also was authorized to issue $300,000 in bonds.
Retrofit projects for the Crowley Rice Arena, Church Point Community Center and Rayne Civic Center were also approved as substantially complete.
Public hearings were authorized to set a 35 mph speed limit on Monceaux Road and a 25 mph speed limit on Bulldog Lane.
Jurors also agreed to advertise for bids for the purchase of a new compactor at the parish landfill.
The Jury also accepted a $22,825.29 proposal of Gulf Coast Sound for a new sound system in the main third floor courtroom.
Jurors adjourned into a 25 minute executive session with Legal Counsels Doug Wimberly and Brad Andrus for an update on litigation Safeway & Watson against the Jury.
An intergovernmental agreement was approved with the city of Rayne and the First Ward Drainage District to improve drainage in the city.
Because three jurors will be absent for the July meeting, the date was shifted from July 14 to July 21.
Jurors accepted bids for the purchase of materials, lubricants and services for the coming fiscal year.
Jurors authorized President Borill to execute a $115,281.20 contract with Professional Engineering Consultants to develop a master plan for LeGros Memorial Airport, as well as a $51,680 contract to restore a terminal apron pavement.
Jurors accepted the resignation of Derek Bisig from the Parish Planning Commission and are expected to names his replacement during the July meeting.
A contract with the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service to support off campus units was renewed.
A contract with D&J Services for disaster recovery debris removal was also renewed.
Jurors authorized the secretary-treasurer or the Jury president to individually wire bank funds as needed.