BELLEAIR BLUFFS -- Belleair Bluffs may be seeking a new trash collector as the City Commission at its regular meeting Monday night approved an RFP for waste removal services.
An RFP is a Request for Proposal, asking vendors to submit what services they can perform.
Waste Management, Inc. currently performs the trash pickup in the city.
Commissioner Dave Shimkus has expressed dissatisfactions with the service and pushed for the RFP.
Tom Trask, assistant city attorney, pointed out that there is a difference between an RFP and an Invitation to Bid and advised the commission that perhaps an Invitation to Bid might be in order.
But Mayor Chris Arbutine, who has been in Waste Management's corner, pushed for an RFP and once the move was approved, 4-1, with Brett Nelson opposed, he said he did not want Waste Management excluded from consideration.
In an Invitation to Bid, as Trask explained it, the buyer sets out the specifications and conditions of the work it wants done and is seeking a price.
In an RFP, vendors outline all their services along with prices.
Shimkus has indicated that Waste Management has not strictly adhered to its agreement with the city particularly in making bulk pickups.
Arbutine pointed out, on the other hand, that the trash company went overboard in providing clean up after windstorms last fall.
In other business, Trask reported that a show cause hearing, held up because of a change of judges, will be before the Pinellas Circuit Court next Monday.
The case involves 343 Bluff View Drive which allegedly failed to conform to the city code in respect to the height of a a wall.
An agreement between the city and the owners of the property was reached and the court ordered that its stipulations be carried out.
They were not and the hearing is for the defendants to explain to the court and show cause why they should not be held in contempt for violating the court's order.
Wendy Marino received unanimous approval for appointment to the Planning Board.
Still to be filled is a position on the Board of Adjustment. Peter Ferrara has come forward seeking the spot and the commission will entertain other applications at its next workshop meeting, August 8.
Also approved was the site plan for Belleair Bluffs Condominiums, a development behind and adjacent to Albertson's.