Status quo wins landfill bid

They entered the City Council meeting the front-runners in a lengthy battle to operate the community's controversial landfill.

They left with their hopes in the dumps.

In two hours, owners of a joint venture between Nevada Waste Service Systems Inc. and James A. Wyse Inc. plummeted from the Landfill Review Committee's first choice to the Boulder City Council's third choice.

The council opted for Boulder City Disposal Inc., despite Councilman Bill Smith's recollection of a conversation he had with owner Ed Smith, who said his company wouldn't survive under the conditions of the contract.

"What do you say?" Nevada Waste co-owner Dave Carroll said after the meeting. "A great disservice was done to residents of Boulder City tonight.

"I can't explain something like that. They had a choice between a Volkswagen and a Porsche, and they went with the Volkswagen."

Carroll and partner John Shea were further baffled when the council agreed that if negotiations with Boulder City Disposal failed, it would turn to Tony Korfman.

Moments earlier, Korfman had told council members and residents, who filled the council chambers and lined the hallways, that he had no experience with landfills.

The Boulder City man promised to surround himself with experts who know how to operate and eventually cap landfills, a growing concern across the country.

"I'm thirsty for knowledge," Korfman said. "I have the right attitude."

While Nevada Waste Services offered the lowest rates of the four finalists, which also included RG Waste Systems, Korfman said he would boost rates from the current $9.75 fee so that garbage workers could make more money.

"People can still afford extra cheese on their pizza and little Johnny can still have that operation," Korfman said.

The four council members who voted to begin negotiations with Boulder City Disposal said the company has done a respectable job and should be rewarded with a new contract.

Councilman Smith disagreed and said the company would struggle financially because out-of-town trucks -- which provided a significant amount of the landfill's income -- are no longer allowed.

Mayor Robert Ferraro, who on Monday said Nevada Waste's proposal seemed to be the best for the community, said the decision was tough but he had to support Boulder City Disposal.

"Boulder City Disposal has provided a tremendous service to Boulder City," he said. "I think they can continue to do the job they have been doing."

When the council asked Ed Smith why he didn't designate a portion of the gate fee for the future closure of the landfill, the owner said he would give the city 75 cents per ton of trash hauled in.

Smith and landfill manager Teresa Mann told the council they would be willing to add services to their proposal to appease members.

"I've worked hard at the landfill and with the city," Mann said. "I have put my heart and soul into the landfill. I've been in trash all my life, and now I'm getting paid for it."

Nevada Waste Services and Boulder City Disposal offered the city 5 percent of their total monthly gross from the landfill.

Officials with Nevada Waste Services, which provides solid-waste services to Pahrump residents, said $1.81 from each ton taken to the landfill would be put aside for closure costs.

The company offered the city 50 percent of the gate fees from garbage hauled into the Boulder City landfill from Lake Mead. Carroll said pickup of compost and waste oil was included in the company's proposed $8.50 monthly rate.

The only explanation council members had for going against the recommendation of the Landfill Review Committee, which is made up of Boulder City administrators, was that the current disposal company was doing a good job.

Boulder City resident Mike Quinn said he and about 50 other people showed up to make sure the community kept its landfill and that no out-of-town trucks -- which travel through neighborhoods -- were going to be permitted.

"It's about politics and rates; that's about it," Quinn said. "I agree with the council's decision."

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