City recycling changes hands

The Maricopa City Council moved to “seal the deal between us and the county” for the land to run a recycling center, as Intergovernmental Affairs Director Paul Jepson put it.

Tuesday, the council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Pinal County to lease the land at the Recycle Association of Maricopa (RAM), 46250 McDavid Road, for $1 a year.

Then the council welcomed Right Away Disposal with an agreement for recycling services. RAD “had the most responsive bid” out of only two completed bids for the work, Jepson said.

“We’re ready to start as early as Saturday,” RAD President Jeremy Takas said.

Previously, the city contracted with Gina D’Abella’s Environmental Concerns Organization to handle household recyclables and hazardous wastes. ECO was previously the only bidder on the services, but competition came in this year.

ECO’s extended contract ended in January while the city sought interest from other companies. D’Abella previously said the requirements in the city’s request for proposals made it difficult to keep her costs down.

“Gina has been very involved in the transition process,” Jepson said.

Councilmember Peggy Chapados thanked D’Abella for “years and years of service to the City of Maricopa, often at her own expense, her dedication and her time. You’ve provided valuable service here, and we couldn’t have done this without you.”

The city budgeted $122,000, though the contract is “not to exceed $192,000.” Jepson said there were contingency funds to cover the gap, “but this will get the ball rolling.”

A grant for a fire truck for the city was rescinded, and Maricopa was able to place back into the contingency budget the $130,000 it set aside in matching funds.