A motion was passed to bring Waste Management's franchise contract to the Russellville City Council's table Tuesday night. The issue was not on the agenda and therefore had to be voted on to discuss.

According to Mayor Shirlee Yassney, the council, at a previous meeting, rescinded an earlier decision to bid out the city's trash pickup services, thus continuing its business relationship with Waste Management. According to the contract, the city has an opportunity to bid out its service every five years. The city has a 20-year contract with Waste Management that is now in it 15th year.

City Attorney Bob Hedges advised the council that contractual obligations to Waste Management could become an issue if they chose to pull from the agreement. He said he felt the city could get out of the contract with the company but did indicate that litigation could be a result.

Hedges said the contract between the city and Waste Management entered into in 1990 was poorly written. The council had voted to bid out its waste services, citing dissatisfaction with Waste Management's service. According to Hedges the contract does state that as a reason for withdrawing; however, there is a time frame of 120 days in which the city must inform Waste Management of its intentions. The city's window for change ends in October.

Councilman Russell Jones later said this wasn't a bad thing. He believes with adding customers out Orndorff Mill Road and in the Greens subdivision- who were listed on a separate agreement but are expected to be included in the new terms- will be better for the city than the previous contract.

There are other changes that may not be as positive, which include raising the monthly rate to customers by 31 cents. The current monthly rate for residential service in the city is $10.20. With the increase that will bring the bill to $10.51. Part of that cost is due to a fuel surcharge that Waste Management wants to place in the new agreement. Hedges said it was because of the volatile fuel market.

Mayor Yassney said the city would no longer be billing the commercial customers. She said Waste Management will take on that responsibility.

Hedges told the council members that they didn't have to vote on the contract Tuesday night. He said time was getting close and a decision did need to be made by the end of October. Council tabled the decision with a unanimous vote.