City picks new garbage hauler, expands social district

MOUNT CLEMENS — Goodbye green trucks, hello yellow.

Mount Clemens residents will soon see Priority Waste’s trucks rolling down their streets after the City Commission granted the company a contract as its residential waste hauler on June 5.

“Everything will be exactly the same other than it will be a different contractor picking it up,” Public Services Director Jeffery Wood said.

Priority Waste’s contract lasts for five years, ending on June 18, 2028, at about $826,050 per year. Included in the contract is solid mixed waste collection and disposal, street litter containers, yard waste collection and disposal, and recycling collection and disposal. The switch to Priority will mean a slight increase in the annual cost of waste services per household, starting with $148.43 in the first year of the contract and ending at $167.57. The current annual cost under GFL Enviromental’s contract is $133.36.

The commission explored including garbage and recycling bins as part of the contract, though adding bins increased costs for both GFL and Priority by about $320,000 and $1.1 million, respectively.

“Given the increase, I certainly don’t want to,” Commissioner Laura Fournier said during the discussion about adding carts.

Access to carts was another concern about adding them to the contracts.

Residents are still able to use their own cans. The trash pickup schedule remains the same as before. Residents are still able to dispose of bulk items. Priority’s contract begins June 19.

 

Social district newcomer
The Oasis social district will likely see a new face soon as the City Commission expressed its support for New Age Noodles to participate in the district.

Commissioners unanimously approved the Asian food restaurant’s social district permit, sending it to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission for final approval.

“It’ll be nice to have another establishment, especially on that end of the city,” Mayor Laura Kropp said.

Commissioners expanded the social district’s borders at the May 15 meeting, adding New Age Noodles to the list of downtown establishments eligible for participation in the district.

 

City manager contract approved
Interim City Manager Gregg Shipman is interim no more, as the City Commission approved a contract at $110,000 per year with Shipman to serve as the city’s full-time manager.

Currently the city’s fire chief since 2020, Shipman will leave the Mount Clemens Fire Department’s top spot once a new chief is found.

“It is not an easy position to be the city manager; your feet are to the fire,” Kropp said. “I think you apparently like fire, so thank you very much for signing up for this job.”

Shipman’s contract as city manager lasts for three years ending on May 31, 2026. For that time, Shipman will work as an independent contractor.