Yesterday was a case of the dueling press releases in Jackson's garbage fiasco. Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks issued this press release:
As a Council Member, resident, and everyday citizen, I want to personally apologize to every resident in Ward 6 and the entire city for having to endure the current situation with our garbage collections or at this point, a lack thereof. I am sorry that we are here. We find ourselves in a very difficult and unnecessary place. It is my job as a member of the City Council to uphold the laws of the State of Mississippi and to support the best services for the City of Jackson.
Over the past year and a half, you have witnessed heated public debates during this garbage saga. It is the Mayor’s job to present any contracts to the council. It is the council’s job to vote yay or nay on each contract presented. If a contract/vendor is voted down twice within one year, the Mayor must present another contract or vendor. There are several reasons why I voted ‘no’ on the Richards contract, along with some of my colleagues. While presented as the lowest bid, I’m of the mindset it was not the best bid. Richard’s never received a valid contract from the council; however, this Administration illegally gave them a contract and a notice to proceed. Richards proceeded to work with full knowledge that they did not have a legally binding contract.
Scoring
In the Request for Proposal (RFP), there were four options: once a week with a cart, once a week without a cart, twice a week with a cart, twice a week without a cart.
Here, there were three winners-- FCC scored highest with once a week with a cart and once a week without a cart. Waste Management scored the best with twice a week without a cart. Richards scored the best with twice a week with a cart.
When the administration presented the blind results to the council, the council voted to eliminate the once-a-week options. This action only left the twice a week options on the table. At this time, the council shared several concerns that we received from constituents including concerns about carts: 1) seniors rolling a 96- gallon container to roadside 2) Only providing 45k carts when the last count was at least 53k households perhaps more. To this end, the council wanted to avoid confusion and made it clear that we wanted to see a contract on the twice a week option without a cart, understanding and being fully aware of the complexities
that carts bring. The Mayor nor this Administration listened, and ultimately still presented the provider of the carts to bully and convince us otherwise. However, my support was for the twice a week without a cart option, as this was the resounding message from many of our citizens.
Why I voted against Richards
When voting on any contract, we must look at 1) lowest and best bid 2) history and past performance of company. The service being offered based on scoring and the lowest and best bid is critical. While it is always in the best interest of our city to save citizens money and to use taxpayers’ dollars as efficiently as possible, the lowest bid does not necessarily mean the best bid. Such is the case with Richards. Richards was the lowest bid as it relates to the cost of the contract, however, on the service side Richards scored the lowest. While researching and looking at their performance history in Baton Rouge, LA and New Orleans, LA, I felt this was not the appropriate time to try a new company.
Timing
During this process, we have seen several legal challenges between the Administration and the City Council. All of which could have been avoided by the proper guidance of law, from the Office of the City Attorney. We witnessed the Courts rule that there could be no legal binding contract without the majority vote of the City Council. The Supreme Court (the state’s highest court) ruled, that the Mayor cannot veto a no vote. These lawsuits were attempts by the Mayor to abandon the rules of government, and to find a way to bypass the council. If I’m honest, there have been several other occasions where the Mayor has tried to act, without the legal approval of the City Council or without the council being in full knowledge of his actions until after it was done. During this process, the Mayor had the opportunity to negotiate better deals according to the RFP, with any of the vendors left, he refused to do that. While the expiration date of this situation was quickly approaching, NO action was taken by the mayor to find a solution nor to find a way to ensure that garbage collection service would not be interrupted. The Mayor did not present a new vendor nor suggestions to move forward. To be clear, the Mayor’s refusal to do what was right and this interruption of service is not the fault of the City Council. It is the direct result of a Mayor attempting to bypass the council, ignore the law and only wanting one vendor at the table. A Mayor simply only wanting things done his way.
Solution
Sadly, we are in a predicament that could have been avoided. Understanding that time is of essence, I want to offer a temporary fix or working solution for an unnecessary complex problem. To build back trust, restore integrity and repair relationships, I propose and would support a 90-day temporary contract with Richards, while the City Council and the Mayor in good faith, work together to identify a neutral third-party evaluator, who will conduct a new RFP process for twice a week without a cart option, in hopes of finding the vendor that scores the best in the area of lowest and best bid.
Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba fired back with his own statement not more than a few hours later.
We are discussing our options with Richard's Disposal Inc., the Office of the State Auditor and the Department of Environmental Quality as we move forward this week. We have not yet received confirmation from these parties regarding next steps, therefore, until we receive that confirmation, we cannot legally move forward with an emergency.
I agree with you that time is of the essence, however, I disagree that identifying a "neutral third-party evaluator" would result in an end to this situation. At the Council’s insistence, we already received an opinion in this regard. As you know, on February 10, 2022, the City Council received a memo (see attached) from a neutral, independent evaluator, which you unilaterally hired to offer an opinion on this RFP. Your independent lawyer opined, "The Office of the City Attorney has not demonstrated any conflict of interest." His opinion states, "I examined the process, beginning with the RFP, continuing with the manner in which the proposals were scored, and concluding with the negotiation of the contract terms. The RFP was extremely well conceived. Approximately eight-one pages in length, it was comprehensive, well organized, easily understood, and included useful references and attachments." He continues, "Because of Richard's Disposal's lowest price for that option, the weight assigned to the price factor, and Richard's other scores, its overall numerical score qualified that proposal as the 'most qualified' in accordance with the terms of the RFP." Finally, he states, "I conclude that the process followed the law, best practices were considered and employed to the extent required, and the single-most important criterion-price- was assigned appropriate weight."
Based on the responses received from the proposers and the current economic environment, issuing a new RFP will only result in more costly proposals whose increased cost will be borne by the City’s residents.
56 comments:
a pissing match-
Chokwe crying on TV was awesome.
Not a single person believed his "sincerity" and he lived up to his nickname "Baby Mayor".
Believe a cave in is in progress.
What is genuinely sad to me about all this is there is literally no regard for senior citizens, individuals with severe ailments, or anyone who has any kind of limitation that may be REALLY adversely affected by this whole situation. These folks just want to shake their peckers at each other displaying power, and the citizens feel the brunt of the consequences.
I hate politicians
Whoever wrote the councilman's letter lost me at (paraphrasing) "Richards has proven to have performance problems in Baton Rouge and New Orleans so I propose we contract with them for an interim period".
No mention of whether Waste Management is available for such a temporary period.
Come on Jackson residents:
"IMPREACH Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba!"
Banks and three others on the Council don't care for Lil Choke's refusal to do his lawful duty, ie solicit new RFPs months ago, nor for the taste of the little tyrant's bs as he continues his outlaw tirade demanding sole control of steering garbage collection to his personal favorite vendor.
All I see is Lumumba whining that he didn't get to control who evaluated the proposals.
u saw how the recall went for mayor of New Orleans---
If WM started TODAY, it would still take it 60 -90 days to restart the Jackson operation. Same for anyone else. THat's the problem with giving them a 90 day emergency contract.
It's simple. The council said no carts. Give the council the best-scoring bid without a cart for twice a week service.
The Mayor yaps about cost. Well, the careless option for RD is $1.2 million cheaper for year than the cart option.
So WHY is the Mayor so fixated on making everyone buy carts for Detroit?
Am I mistaken or did Chokwe say the other day that he would not try to declare another emergency? Color me shocked and confused. Only not. I work in Jackson and I am just waiting on the garbage cans outside to fill the air with their odoriferous perfume.
Rishard's is being kicked out of New Orleans for horrible service. They have contacted the City of Jackson to do whatever they can to keep them from going broke. There is no way a kickback isn't happening between Richards and Lumumba. The employees doing PR work in the streets is very telling what is going on here. They were on the clock passing out petitions and propaganda in favor of Richards. This is mafia/union type stuff. With NOLA giving them the boot(no pun intended), if Jackson shuts them down, that is a huge nail in the coffin to Richards. Richards is pulling out all of the stops.
My question is, what happens to trash, i.e., household discards, if carts are used? Will there be a separate charge for hauling off such items?
Because he's short on delivering his side of a political quid pro quo.
public officials are a DIRECT REFLECTION of the people/ public they serve
During this time of crisis we need to assist our Mayor by bringing our garbage to a central location for convenient pick-up. I suggest the Mayor's office.
"Come on Jackson residents:
"IMPREACH Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba!""
We can't; the sorry a$$ State Legislature didn't pass the recall bill.
We have a way to recall sorry ass politicians in Mississippi. It's called an election. Find a viable candidate, fund his/her campaign, and turn out voters.
Quit y’all’s bitching! Y’all voted for these Democrats, you get what you vote for!
Don Lumumba has spoken. Do not cross him unless you wish to sleep with the fishes.
How long will it be until Lumumba proposes that garbage fees should be based on the assessed value of your home.
I don't believe the city every addressed the issue of bagged yard debris or even regular cans filled with leaves and sticks. I have at least four-five cans full of leaves and sticks several times a month in the fall and spring.
Kingfish said...
If WM started TODAY, it would still take it 60 -90 days to restart the Jackson operation. Same for anyone else. THat's the problem with giving them a 90 day emergency contract.
It's simple. The council said no carts. Give the council the best-scoring bid without a cart for twice a week service.
The Mayor yaps about cost. Well, the careless option for RD is $1.2 million cheaper for year than the cart option.
So WHY is the Mayor so fixated on making everyone buy carts for Detroit?
April 4, 2023 at 8:58 AM
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The flyer that Richards employees were passing out yesterday said the carts would be free?
Has Richards delivered Chowke's concrete shoes yet?
I say we hire Justin Ragin with T&C Movers, LLC to collect garbage for $15 per week per household until this mess is resolved. Once a week is better than none at this point.
Love how these racists on here so worried bout something that don’t affect them. Y’all not even living in Jackson but you so worry about us. Why? You bring nothin but hate an no solutions, just trying to stir crap and then wonder why you get called racist.
10:52 - is there a reason that EVERYONE yelling racism sucks so bad at communicating in English?
Mr. Banks - your apologies are falling on deaf ears. Enough is enough. Give the mayor what he wants and move on. You keep saying that RDI is not the best bid. I don't recall any complaints over the past year. And why in the hell did all of you wait until RDI's contract ran out. You had a whole year. Is the mayor the only one that can advertise for bids? You're making the council look like a bunch of idiots, not that you need any help in that department. For the sake of the people of Jackson, approve a damn contract. And if you want to get revenge on the mayor, find something else. It sure shouldn't be hard.
10:52 - you're correct; I don't live in Jackson, and it should come as no surprise as to why. As for stirring up crap, you're living in a big pile of it. And the stench has been blowing over into surrounding counties for a while. If you Jacksonians would clean up your crap, we would have nothing to talk about. Well, I take that back. People like you will always point a finger at white people.
That post by Councilman Banks makes too much sense for a lot of you to understand.
10:52 am
I agree with you that there is a group of people who wish nothing but the worst for Jackson.
I would also say that part of the issue some people have begins in your actual message posted above.
Grammar is very important to a lot of people and your sentence is replete with grammatical errors. An inability to write English sparks great levels of angst among a certain sect of people.
Just an observation
10:52 AM
Whine some more Melvin.
@10:52 AM - "The fox smells his shit first." In light of your substandard grammar, let me help you with this expression. In this case it means that those who raise the "race card" are in fact racists.
This entire scenario boils down to three things:
1.Race
2 Money
3 Control
If anyone sees a JPD cruiser at the landfill the officer is dumping off Chowke's trash, because he is just special.
@ 11:07, YES the mayor is the only one who can put out a request for proposals. The council has been trying for months to get him to do that but he won't. The council even went to court to try to get authorization to do another RFP because the mayor refuses to do it.
Also, to the various comments about the carts, none of the proposals would have required residents to buy carts. The whole point of the "with cart" option was that the provider would supply the carts to the residents for free, and would even supply a free replacement if it got lost or stolen, but after that, the resident would have to buy any additional replacements. That's why everyone's "with cart" proposals were more expensive. The vendor would have to supply the carts, and at the end of the contract, they would be owned by the City, not by the vendor.
That's my theory as to why WM's "with cart" bid was so much higher compared to the other two vendors. WM has all those green and yellow garbage cans with their branding on it. But under the RFP, the carts would have the City logo on them and the City would dictate the colors. The carts would each also have to be imprinted with the address of the property it was associated with, and the vendor would be on the hook for reaffixing the address if it ever faded or became unreadable. I still don't know how RDI thought it was going to get these custom manufactured garbage cans at the price it bid.
One more thing while I'm here. The RFP required all bidders to hire any qualified workers who are displaced because of a change in vendor. So it's completely disingenuous to suggest that giving the contract to someone other than RDI will cost Jacksonians their jobs. And if RDI is getting their employees to do the street canvassing they're doing by telling them their jobs are at stake, then RDI is lying to them plain and simple. In the last RFP, one of the vendors specifically asked the City to delete the requirement that a new vendor hire displaced employees of the prior vendor. The City refused. I can't say that it was RDI who tried to avoid hiring Jackson residents but it obviously wasn't WM.
Mayor, with all due respect, the City Council has rejected the Richards' bid for 2 day pickup with a cart not once, not twice, not three times, but four time now. It should be crystal clear to you that the Council is not going to approve that contract with Richards for 2 days with a cart, so why do you insist of submitting that same contract/proposal to them over and over and over ? It's time to move on. Your insistence on that option is what is causing the City to have no garbage pick up.
Coincidentally, as KF noted above, you keep saying that you want the lowest cost/price for the citizens of Jackson. Well, the Richards' proposal for 2 day pick up with a cart is much more expensive than the proposal for 2 days without a cart. So why will you not submit that 2 days without a cart proposal to the Council, which is what the Council has repeatedly told you it prefers ? If you want the lowest price, why do you insist on imposing the cost of a cart on residents ? Is it because the lowest and best scored proposal without the cart was made by Waste Mgmt and not Richards ? If Waste Mgmt has the lowest and best scored proposal for the service the majority of the Council prefers (2 days without a cart), then submit that proposal as required by law. Why do you keep refusing to do so ? This whole mess could end now if you would just submit that bid/proposal.
As for the Mayor's comments in his letter above that the Council hired an independent third party to evaluate the RFP process, the Mayor's quotes are misleading at best. First, the attorney hired by the Council to review the past RFP proposals and scoring only opined that Richards' bid on 2 day pickup with a cart was the best scored. But what the Mayor fails to acknowledge or say is that Waste Mgmt was the bidder who scored the best for 2 day pickup without a cart. Second, the attorney hired by the Council evaluated the RFP process "after" the RFP process had been completed and scored. What Councilman Banks is asking is that, in scoring any new/future RFP proposals/bids, an independent person be hired to do the scoring of any bids submitted. Respectfully the majority of he Council no longer trusts the Mayor to "impartially" score any future bids as it is more that clear that it is the Mayor's intent to steer this contract to Richards in any way possible.
Next, the Mayor says he cannot issue a new RFP or take any further action until he hears back from the State Auditor or DEQ. Bullshit. Yes, he can, he just refuses to do so.
Last but not least, the Mayor says, once again, that any future bids in response to a new RFP would be higher. That's not true either. Richards has already said it will honor the prices quoted in its 2021 bid, so it's price will stay the same. And if Waste Mgmt's and FCC's prices increase, then Richards will easily win the new RFP and contract, right ? Right, Mayor ?
11:17 - I assume you mean "a certain set of people." Sect makes no sense.
I believe both parties are at fault for allowing this situation to linger on without resolve. The City Attorney is supposed to be impartial and provide sound legal guidance to the administration and council. She has not, and continues to show favor toward the Mayor. It is very disheartening that the Capital of Mississippi has no leadership. The Mayor should follow the guidelines within the RFP and in full faith negotiate with WM due to the council has rejected RD. If he still refuses a new RFP should be drafted and evaluated by an independent party. No one from the Mayor's office or City Attorney office should be involved. Terry Williamson definitely should not be involved. This is not complicated! The Mayor should be more focused on finding a qualified Finance Director, Public Director, and legal staff that can operate impartial. He is incompetent and the people around him are incompetent.
10:52, I don’t live in Jackson but y’all’s shiggety does keep me laughing!
11:06 - FOR THE WIN!!
I enjoy my standard trash can, and once per week pickup. No idea why Jackson thinks they are so special and unique that they need twice per week pickup. And the standard cans allow trucks to pickup the cans automatically, without guys on the street.
How much did Cry Baby Chok get paid for the past months that Richards has had the job? How much will Cry Baby Chok get paid each "cart" purchased?
And where in the world is the federal bureau of INVESTIGATION?
NO CARTS!
@11:19. Melvin usually uses a little better grammar than that, but the plant that he is currently promulgating might've affected his abilities.
Kingfish--thank you for addressing why Waste Management couldn't get the 90 day contract. That was my first question when I heard about Banks' comment last night.
Banks did a good job with his press release.
Richard's employees in one of the company trucks out getting signatures: this is absurd. If you sign their paper, do you get your garbage picked up? How much more mafia can we get. The very idea that a prospective vendor is rolling around trying to get signatures to get hired....this should be illegal. No vendor should be allowed to do this.
Court case: hopefully we can get a ruling soon that would allow the City Council to proceed with the RFP process and enter into a contract with a legitimate company. Last RFP put Waste Management as the 1st choice. They have done a good job. A search of Louisiana news reflect very poorly on Richards, as does the lawsuit against them.
Thank you, again, to the 3 Council members who are as tired of the law breaking as we are.
10:52, you says "Love how these racists on here so worried bout something that don’t affect them. Y’all not even living in Jackson but you so worry about us. Why? You bring nothin but hate an no solutions, just trying to stir crap and then wonder why you get called racist."
I do live in Jackson, 10:52, and this has nothing to do with race. This has to do with the Mayor going out of his way over and over again to try to steer this contract to Richards. This has to do with the Mayor violating the law not once but twice as ruled on and agreed by two different Courts. This has to do with the Mayor knowing that the Council would not approve a contract with Richards but yet the Mayor didn't issue a new RFP or even try to get another vendor. Then he waited until the last minute to submit the exact same proposal from Richards that the Council had already rejected three times before and tried to manipulate and force the Council into voting for Richards this time. This has to do with the Mayor playing silly games and his actions and inactions, not race.
Love how *the racists on here *are so worried *about something that *doesn't affect them. Y’all *are not even living in Jackson but you *are so worry about us. Why? You bring *nothing but hate *and no solutions, *you're just trying to stir crap and then wonder why you get called "racist".
There 10:52, I fixed *most* of it for you. Gentle reminder that clauses need subjects and verbs.
Not-so-gentle reminder that for better or worse the condition of the City of Jackson reflects upon the State of Mississippi as a whole as it is our capital city. Lots of solutions have been presented here which is the most glaring contrast to what the Mayor has done as he has presented no solution, only the exact same option that has repeatedly been rejected.
This is a management problem- why did you bring up race?
Now to 11:07... the answer to your question is yes, the Mayor is the only one who can advertise for bids. His job is to get the bids, the council's job is to review and approve or deny. It's a whole checks-and-balances thing that is kind of the crux of our democracy. We don't elect kings.
11:07, are you really that uniformed and ignorant of the facts ? If so, you shouldn't comment because you only made yourself sound really stupid with that comment.
"You keep saying that RDI is not the best bid. I don't recall any complaints over the past year."
-Really, you haven't heard any criticism about Richards ? Apparently you haven't read the numerous articles on this site then. There have been tons of complaints about Richards. If it'll help you understand, just google Richards Disposal in regards to its contract with New Orleans.
"And why in the hell did all of you wait until RDI's contract ran out. You had a whole year. Is the mayor the only one that can advertise for bids?"
-Good lord, you really need help. The Council didn't wait until RDI's contract ran out. The Mayor did. The Council repeatedly asked the Mayor to issue a new RFP months and months ago to prevent this last minute ordeal, but the Mayor refused to do so. And yes, the Mayor is the only one who can issue a new RFP for this contract. The Council can't.
"You're making the council look like a bunch of idiots."
-No, that's what you just did to yourself with your uninformed comments above.
11:07 is a clear example with the problem of most Jackson voters. They don't read, they don't research. They take whatever sound bites the Mayor says on the 10pm news and they run with it.
"Give the mayor what he wants and move on." That's not how it works. Welcome to separation of powers and a Mayor-Council form of government.
"I don't recall any complaints over the past year." Yeah, I don't recall any complaints from WM's 30-year service with the city either. But they were forced out. Oh and by the way, Richard's first month with trash pick up was a shitshow.
"And why in the hell did all of you wait until RDI's contract ran out. You had a whole year." Again, you don't read or research. The Mayor has the sole power to put contracts up for a vote. He waited until the very last day on purpose.
"For the sake of Jxn, approve a damn contract." Again, the mayor won't bring any other vendor but Richards. He does not have the votes. He will not move on. Now we have a stalemate.
THIS IS NOT THAT HARD TO UNDERSTAND PEOPLE.
Free the Carts!
11:52 am
No.
“Sect” means any group, party, or faction united by a specific doctrine or under a doctrinal leader.
The word “sect” was chosen for an exact reason.
1:28 - your sarcasm aside, allow me. First, I ASKED if the mayor was the only one who could bring a contract before the board. And you sarcastically answered that. Thanks.
What do you mean "that's not how it works"? All I'm saying is that while the mayor and the council attempt to see which has the biggest set, the people want their trash pickup.
WM's 30-year contract? All good things end at some point in time. You say that RDI's first month was a "shitshow". So you pick out one month. What about months 2-12? I guess you conveniently didn't want to mention that.
And finally, you missed my point altogether (I guess your urge to be sarcastic got in the way). What I'm urging the city council to do is GIVE THE MAYOR THE VOTES. People want their trash picked up and most don't care who does it. Couldn't a contract with RDI be voided for unacceptable service? While I don't have your legal mind, I'm saying it could.
P.S. Lighten up, Francis. And excuse my sarcasm.
“ What I'm urging the city council to do is GIVE THE MAYOR THE VOTES.”, why should this city council give the mayor anything? He has tried to run roughshod over the council the entire time. Treating them as being beneath him.
The mayor has no political skill whatsoever when it comes to diplomacy, and statesmanship. He continues to dictate, and demand, even at this point he continues to use strong arm tactics to get his way. Like a spoiled child kicking, screaming, and scheming.
This is a proposed 10 year contract! That alone should warrant a NO vote! This mayor is crazy. I thought after a contract had been rejected twice, it couldn’t be reconsidered for a year? Why is he so adamant to make this deal? There has to be something there.
@8:08 Antar may or may not be crazy. I have no doubt whatsoever that he is a diabolical and narcissistic charlatan.
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