web1_DoyleMcManus.jpg

What’s missing from the GOP tax bill?

web1_web1_Blotter-15.jpg

Wilkes-Barre police charge two in alleged child sexual assault

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The city rescheduled the opening of bids for waste collection until after Christmas to give contractors additional time to review the extensive Request for Proposals.</p><p>Bids will be opened on Dec. 28 at City Hall at 10:30 a.m. The public opening initially was set for Monday morning.</p><p>Butch Frati, the city&#8217;s director of operations, said Monday contractors asked for more time because of the extent of the RFP.</p><p>The 51-page document deals with the collection, distribution and disposal of residential municipal garbage and recyclables. It delves into the details of the work and requires bidders to provide names and numbers to show they&#8217;re qualified.</p><p>Areas covered include:</p><p>&#8226; General liability and comprehensive automobile insurance, $1.5 million per occurrence, $3 million aggregate.</p><p>&#8226; Non-performance fees of $500 each for - failing to clean up spilled receptacles; starting route collection before 7 a.m.; and failing to finish collections by 5 p.m.</p><p>&#8226; An inventory of trucks, tools and equipment necessary to do the work; maintaining them in good repair; and cleaning and disinfecting them at least once a week.</p><p>&#8226; Either a clerk or answering machine available around-the-clock to receive instructions from the city or inquiries from the public.</p><p>The contract is for 36 months and can be awarded separately for garbage and recyclables. But it&#8217;s unlikely any will be signed to coincide with the Jan. 1 start date listed in the RFP.</p><p>The bids are the first step in the process of exploring whether privatization will save the city money. It costs more to provide the waste collection service than what the city raises in revenues through the sale of garbage bags to residents.</p><p>The city also is engaged in contract negotiations with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 401 that represents the Department of Public Works employees who pickup the garbage and recyclables. Their one-year contract expires at the end of the year.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_WB-City-logo-3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_WB-City-logo-3.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jerry Lynott</p><p>jlynott@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Bids for Wilkes-Barre garbage pickup extended until after Christmas