Biosolids contract not subject to lobbying rules

During a work session Tuesday, Council Member Leslie Pool said that she would likely ask for a proposed revision of the Anti-Lobbying Ordinance to be postponed until City Council’s Nov. 9 meeting, so that the Ethics Review Commission can examine the proposal and offer input. Pool has said she is eager to get the proposal approved so that it can once again apply to waste contracts, which have been exempt from the rules since Council voted for a temporary exemption in April in response to complaints from the city’s largest waste hauler. However, the city has already sent out a request for proposal for a biosolids disposal and reuse contract. As a result, warned Council Member Alison Alter, “You will be lobbied about the biosolids contract.” Some Council members expressed an interest in putting in place some type of measure, or direction to city staff, to prevent vendors from lobbying staff or Council members. Council member Ora Houston, however, suggested that no formal action was necessary. “I don’t have any problem saying that I don’t have time to meet (with lobbyists),” she said. Council members did not appear to reach any consensus on what to do.