North St. Paul Council awards five-year solid-waste contract to Tennis

The North St. Paul City Council voted to award a five-year contract for solid-waste, recycling and yard-waste collection to Tennis, city staff said. The contract, which allows three one-year extensions, will take effect when the current agreement ends in August 2026.

Ken Roberts, the city's community development director, told the council the procurement drew seven proposals and the city interviewed the two highest-ranked vendors. "We encouraged each vendor to send in alternative proposals with prices for bulky pickup services," Roberts said, summarizing the evaluation and why the team recommended Tennis.

Under the recommended contract Tennis would provide six approved bulky-item pickups per year at no additional monthly charge and up to two appliances annually without extra fees; the vendor'proposed rates will increase 3% each year and the city will continue to handle billing and customer service. Roberts noted the city still must pay tipping fees for disposal at Newport.

Council members praised Tennis's local customer service record and past collaboration on city cleanup events. Roberts also said Tennis and the city attorney had reviewed the contract language.

The council approved the contract by voice vote. Staff said details about how the city and Tennis will track individual bulky-item requests will be worked out over the next three months before service begins in September.

The contract award is expected to keep routine collection continuity while adding clearer bulky-item pickup terms; the council directed staff to return with a tracking approach for bulky requests before the contract start date.