Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn, under emergency powers granted in two legislative acts, today signed a contract between the City of Kenner and IV Waste, LLC to continue garbage pickup in Kenner without interruption.
“I will not let the legal challenges of a disgruntled city contractor disrupt garbage collection for our businesses and residents,” Mayor Ben Zahn said. “The contract I signed today, under emergency executive orders, is monetarily equal to the contract between the city and Ramelli Waste. But I stand by the pledge that while our residents and businesses will not pay one penny more for their garbage pickup by IV Waste, the service they will get will be more reliable and satisfying than before. Furthermore, the benefits to the City of Kenner will be greater.”
“By signing this ‘emergency contract’, we are now guaranteed that Mr. Ramelli and his team of lawyers will no longer be able to threaten the routine waste management that is critical to our people especially during this viral pandemic.” Zahn said.
The Mayor signed the contract pursuant to authorization granted to him by the Louisiana Health Emergency Powers Act, and the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act.
A back and forth legal battle has ensued since Zahn chose to exercise the city’s non-exclusive option to choose a new waste management company.
Zahn’s decision to contract with IV Waste was ratified by the Kenner City Council through Ordinance No. 11718.
Bob Ramelli, owner of Ramelli Waste, was twice rejected when seeking temporary restraining orders to keep IV Waste from picking up garbage.
Then, by attacking technical language, he did obtain temporary restraining orders to prevent IV Waste for picking up garbage.
Zahn seeking to end an ongoing legal squabble used his executive powers to ensure uninterrupted garbage collection.
“What is a shame is that all Bob Ramelli is doing is running up his legal bills, rolling boulders in front of my administration and retaliating against Kenner for losing his ability to service our city,” Zahn responded. “These legal challenges do not change a thing. IV Waste is our new provider, and we are eager to let them do the job we know that they are capable of doing.”