City of Cotati Approves Waste, Recycling Agreement with RED

The Cotati City Council recently approved a ten-year contract extension with Redwood Empire Disposal (RED). The extension for service provides Cotati residential curbside and commercial solid waste, recyclable materials, compostable material collection, transportation and disposal.

In addition, RED would provide debris box and construction debris box services, semi-annual bulky item disposal pick-up, Christmas tree collection, City facilities collection, special event services, school waste reduction programs, public education programs for reduction and recycling efforts, and street sweeping services.

Redwood Empire Disposal is part of the Ratto Group, which through various subsidiaries has the garbage hauling contracts for eight of Sonoma County's nine cities and the unincorporated areas.

Over the past five year contract period, Redwood Empire Disposal has provided Cotati service subscribers stabilized competitive rates and improved services. The franchise agreement with RED and the City was set to expire on April 10, 2013. With an expiring contract, the City had the choice to bid the franchise agreement or negotiate with the existing service provider.

Redwood Empire Disposal made a proposal to the City to extend the contract provisions which would maintain and expand existing services. The City evaluated the Cotati market and regional service providers and elected to negotiate with RED on a contract extension as they provided the best approach and specialized ability to meet the City's needs.

The City's needs included a full service provider offering all services currently provided to Cotati, rate stability, service enhancements, and vehicle street impact fees for franchise operations. The negotiated contract with RED was the best choice for Cotati since there were no other firms offering full services.
The franchise agreement with RED is a continuation of existing franchise agreement framework and a ten year contract term with updates to provide additional services.

This is one of the City's most vital contracts since it provides services to a majority of homes and businesses within the City.

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