Most Norfolk leaders seem to oppose city-run recycling

NORFOLK

A majority of the City Council appears to oppose a decision by City Manager Regina V.K. Williams to use city employees, rather than a private company, to handle curb side recycling.

The decision was an administrative one that the council can't reverse. But Williams can expect to hear criticism today when the council discusses the issue.

Williams selected the city's public works department to collect recyclable materials after a "managed competition" process in which private companies were asked to submit bids. Assistant City Manager Stanley A. Stein, who declined to comment Monday, said last week that the city's proposal was significantly cheaper than the private sector.

The city plans to spend about $300,000 to purchase 11 recycling trucks from the Southeastern Public Service Authority, which handled recycling in Norfolk until June 1. The seven other communities that SPSA previously served have contracted with private companies to collect recyclable materials.

Several council members said they've received no information from Williams regarding a program that affects every residence in the city. Her decision was announced last week at a SPSA meeting.

"It's her call," Vice Mayor Anthony L. Burfoot said. "But I thought she would get back to us and let us know something."

"The manager got ahead of the council on this issue," Mayor Paul Fraim said.

Fraim said that although he does not know all the factors Williams considered, "I very much believe something like this should be privatized, unless the costs are so heavily weighted to the city. "

Added Councilman Barclay C. Winn: "I think government ought to be getting smaller rather than bigger."

However, Councilman Don Williams, former chair of the SPSA board, said "there's something to be said for doing it yourself and maintaining control."

The city manager chose Tidewater Fiber to sort and market recyclable materials. Bay Disposal, which also bid to market the recyclable material, has protested.

Emmett K. Moore, president of Bay Disposal, said his company would have paid the city $14.82 per ton for recyclable material. Tidewater Fiber will pay $13 per ton. Moreover, his company would build a recycling center in the city, providing 30 jobs and $150,000 per year in tax revenue, Moore said.

He said a letter of protest was hand-delivered to the city last Tuesday. The city has 10 days to respond. The issue could end up in court.

Tidewater Fiber, located in the South Norfolk section of Chesapeake, has contracts to handle recycling in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Suffolk.

Councilman Paul R. Riddick said Bay Disposal's proposal concerns him because the recycling facility probably would be built near the company's headquarters in Berkley. He said the neighborhood is already overrun with industrial concerns. "The truck traffic would be too much," he said.

Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com