With the current street sweeping contractor requesting annual 35% increases in compensation over the next five years and numerous complaints about service, the City of Hollister is looking to go in another direction.
Hollister council members Monday agreed unanimously to put out a request for proposals for a new street sweeping provider to replace Contract Sweeping Services.
Management Services Director Mike Chambless told council members the vendor at the start of the year attempted to charge a consumer price index increase of 15%. The city extended the services while agreeing to meet and confer on a longer-term extension.
But when the contractor expressed a desire for 35% annual increases the next five years, on top of regular citizen complaints about service, city officials said enough is enough.
The city’s current contract calls for paying Contract Sweeping Services annual compensation of $159,515, while Chambless said the city has received about four complaints per week. Those complaints are only tracked by email, said Chambless, who noted the city is upgrading its system for cataloging such feedback.
Chambless said complaints have included such issues as dust, speed and a lacking schedule.
“There currently seems to be no such schedule,” Chambless said. “I think it’s a good idea we go ahead and start over.”
