Greenstar OK’d to compete for MRF proposal

The City of Austin will allow Greenstar (Mid-America Recycling) to bid on the chance to build a new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

 

Purchasing Officer Byron Johnson signaled the end of the appeals process with a letter addressed to the Mayor and City Council Members on Thursday morning, accepting a recommendation from hearings officer Monte Akers.

 

Akers had ruled that Greenstar should not be held in violation of the city’s anti-lobbying ordinance for contacting City Attorney David Smith to notify him of their complaint against competitor Texas Disposal Systems.

 

Greenstar was previously disqualified from bidding on a planned MRF because of an allegation that it had violated Austin’s anti-lobbying ordinance.

 

“After a review of all of the pertinent information I have accepted the recommendation of the Independent Hearing Officer and granted (Greenstar’s) protest,” Johnson wrote.

 

The company still faces a Council hearing on a proposed extension of its contract, set for next Thursday. That extension has been complicated by a proposal from Greenstar competitor Texas Disposal Systems (TDS). TDS has asked the Council to reconsider the Greenstar extension in light of TDS’ promise to, among other things, handle Austin’s recycling at no charge.

 

Greenstar’s response to the MRF request for proposal is a separate matter. It can now be considered along with at least six other bids submitted to the city. TDS did not submit a bid but appealed directly to the City Council to enlarge a contract it already has with the city.