The Pine Bluff City Council will hold a special called meeting Monday night, with two items on the agenda — including a contract with CARDS Holdings, LLC., that was rejected just last week.
Mayor Vivian Flowers is asking the council to reconsider a resolution authorizing her to sign a contract with CARDS to handle the city’s garbage collection beginning November 1. The city’s current agreement with Waste Management, which has provided trash pickup in Pine Bluff for more than 30 years, expires October 31.
Last Thursday, the council voted 5-2 against the CARDS resolution. Council members Steven Mays, Lloyd Holcomb Jr., Bruce Lockett, and William Fells cast no votes, while Council member LaTisha Brunson abstained. Council member Lanette Frazier, who has been outspoken in her criticism of CARDS, was absent.
Mayor Flowers noted that CARDS was ranked the top choice by both a consultant firm hired by the city and a review committee after interviews with three finalists. GFL ranked second, followed by Waste Management. Flowers emphasized that this process marked the first time Pine Bluff had conducted a competitive review to select a waste management provider.
Despite that effort, several council members expressed a preference to stay with Waste Management, even though the company faced numerous complaints last year.
Council woman Lanette Frazier spoke with Deltaplex News about the meeting saying she isn’t sure where all of this is coming from.
Also on Monday’s agenda is an ordinance approving the application of Visonz Lounge to operate as a private club at 201 Main Street in Pine Bluff. The measure, adopted pursuant to Act 1112 of 2017, will be up for its first reading and includes an emergency clause.
Frazier also has issue with the Visonz Lounge being on the agenda for tonight.
The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers inside of the Detective Kevin Collins Training Center.
