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4-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, August 7, 2001 Have your 2&8c4 wheel alignment checked by our Iicensed technicians. Quick Lube Service We use Quaker State 011 ONTAPIO's and ram CLEA and FatitAccredited Test 011 Filters &e~Fat SUN AI SLIM*SIAME Garbage contract decision may be reversed at Region By RICHARD VIVIAN The Champion Reversing a previous decision, the Halton plan- ning and public works corn- mittee is taking a combined approach to garbage dis- posai and recycling collec- tion. Committee members voted Wednesday to overtumn a previous decision granting the Region's garbage disposai contract to Halton Recycling Limited (HRL) and the recycling contract to Canadian Waste Services (CWS) in favour of accepting a combined service bld from HRL. Though a staff report recom- mended the previously-passed con- tracts, some committee members felt the fimandiai benefits out- weighed previous customer service complaints. HRL's bid on the recycling con- tract came in $375,822 cheaper than CWS's. And the combined service HRL contract came in $478,592 cheaper than the previ- ously-approved aplit contract. "I think that's significant finan- cial savings," Burlington council- lor Mike Wallace said. "I can't ignore that." Staff evaluations were based 75 per cent on cost and 25 per cent on performance. In the last year, the Region received about 600 cails concern- ing HRL's current service (they've held the recycling contract for the last seven years). HRL Ontario General Managcr Bill Waddell told the committee that much of the customer calîs resulted from either people putting Iheir materials out late or mechani- cal problems due to the severe win- ter. He also assured the committee that steps have been taken to improve those issues, including the hiring of a new maintenance man- ager, a 40 per cent back-up fleet for recycling, the purchase of tnucks capable of hauling recycling or garbage, and the introduction of his position in March. Previously, company owner Emmie Leung managed both the Ontario and British Columbia operations. "Our focus is to move forward and put ail the resources in place to make sure we're ready, willing and able to not only meet the service objectives of the Region, but to exceed them," Mr. Waddell aaid. Repercussions added The Region has also added somne repercussions should service not be delivered as promised. If services aren't delivered by 5 p.m. the Region can invoke up to a $1,000 penalty against the company, deducted from its invoîce. With those stipulations in place, Oakville councillor Allan Elgar said he supports the HRL bid. "I feel very comfortable with that." But not everyone was in favour of giving HRL the combined con- tract. Regional Chair Joyce Savoline said she's concemned about the affect large contracta like this have on future competition in the field. I think the residents of Halton will be much better served having the leverage with two companies. The number of companies now that exiat to collect waste and recycling seemn to be reducing. I think that the more people that we can have in the business, the better leverage we have, especially for customer service," she said. Burlington Councillor Joan Lougheed said she wasn't in favour of the combined contract because the HRL bid received more review and discussion than the other bids. I believe that we need to have respect for the tender process and I believe that the other companies did not have the same advantage and same consideration in this sec- ond and third time review of this whole process. ' m not poepared to have disregard for that." Regional counicil deferred addressing the issue at the July 4 meeting after it was made aware that HRL (based in Burington) would have to cut 30 jobs if they didn't receive the recycling portion of the contract. Regional counicil is expected to formally address the matter Wednesday. CWS regional vice-president Garth Fowles told The Champion that his company plans to speak at the meeting in the hopes of revers- ing the committee's recent deci- sion. "We're disappoînted - no question about that. But it still has to go through full counicil, so we'Il just wait and see what happens as we go forward." EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY URGENTLY REQUIRED PART-T1ME & STANDBY CROSSING GUARDS, Concerned about the safety of school children and want to become involved? Apply for a Crossing Guard position. Effective immedi- ately, the Town of Milton is in need of a Regular Part-time Crossing Guard at: Laurier Avenue / Holly Avenue Morning Crossing After School Crossing Hourly Salary: $1 1.00 8:05 am-ý8:35 am 3:15 pm - 3:45 pm Standby Crossing Guards are required for ALL locations to substi- tute during the absence of daily Crossing Guards. Gloria Day Co-ordinator, Human Resources The Corporation of the Town of Milton 43 Brown Street Milton, ON L9T 5H12 (905) 878-7252, ext. 2146 Weighit 4ariageri a 1-utdiJiItioînit, www.herbalmagiesystems.com