Conflict-of-Interest Fears Delay Action on Redondo Trash Pact

The Redondo Beach City Council has postponed action on a proposed trash collection contract with Western Waste Industries because of concern that Councilman Ron Cawdrey may have a conflict of interest in the issue.

Councilman Stevan Colin suggested Tuesday that Cawdrey may have a conflict because he has received $1,500 in political contributions from Western Waste and two of its officers.

Cawdrey said he does not have a conflict of interest and that all campaign contributions were listed in his financial disclosure statements.

According to Cawdrey’s campaign spending statement for the period ending last Dec. 31, he received a $500 contribution from Western Waste Industries, $500 from Western Waste Chief Executive Officer Kosti Shirvanian and $500 from Western Waste Vice President George Osepian. The five-year contract, which would cost an estimated $4 million to $5 million a year, would provide residential, commercial and industrial solid waste collection and recycling services. Western Waste already provides residential trash pickup in the city.

The city plans to expand its recycling program to include com mercial, industrial and multifamily buildings beginning Aug. 12. The present recycling program applies only to single-family units.

The council postponed action on the contract until March 12 and asked City Atty. Gordon Phillips to research whether Cawdrey may have a conflict.

Cawdrey excused himself from council discussion on amendments to update the city’s trash collection ordinance. The amendments, tentatively approved 3 to 2 with Mayor Brad Parton casting a tie-breaking vote, provide for recycling, composting and household hazardous waste management.

The revision is needed to meet provisions of a state law that requires cities to reduce their landfill-bound trash 25% by 1995 and 50% by the year 2000.

Councilwoman Barbara Doerr also introduced an amendment that would prohibit trash contractors from making political contributions to council members and would bar them from taking council members or department heads to dinner. That amendment also was tentatively approved on a 3-2 vote. All the revisions to the trash collection ordinance are scheduled for final council action March 12.