Hudson Explores Waste Collection Options Amid Ongoing Service Issues

By Dani McCulley

Months of inconsistent garbage collection brought a full house to Hudson City Hall Monday night as residents voiced concerns and city officials outlined the steps being taken to address ongoing service problems with Black Hawk Waste.

Complaints have mounted throughout the summer following repeated delays and incomplete collection routes. The city has posted several updates in recent months after Black Hawk Waste was unable to complete scheduled pickup, at times citing equipment problems, including truck breakdowns and nails in tires. Earlier this year, one of the company’s garbage trucks also caught fire and became fully engulfed while in Hudson.

Residents have increasingly raised concerns on social media, and Mayor Hector Baldiviezo encouraged those experiencing problems to attend Monday’s City Council meeting and bring those concerns directly to city officials.

They did.

Before opening the floor for public comment, Baldiviezo provided some historical perspective on the city’s relationship with Black Hawk Waste. He said that in March 2025, the City of Hudson was approximately three months behind on payments to the company, at roughly $16,000 per month. Despite being owed thousands of dollars, Black Hawk Waste continued collecting the city’s garbage.

“Now the roles are reversed,” Baldiviezo said, explaining that city officials have attempted to extend similar patience as the company experiences difficulties. “We’ve been very patient with them knowing they are doing the best they can, but it is not working,” he said.

Baldiviezo then opened the floor for public comment, where residents described missed or inconsistent pickups, difficulty reaching Black Hawk Waste and other service concerns. One resident described being unable to reach the company after a wheel came off a garbage cart following collection. Another asked the city to evaluate its contract with the company.

City officials stressed Monday that terminating the contract is not as simple as deciding the city no longer wants to use the company.

Hudson entered into a four-year contract with Black Hawk Waste and is currently in the third year of that agreement. City Attorney Heather Prendergast said the city has already formally notified Black Hawk Waste in writing that Hudson will not renew the contract when it expires in July 2027.

Until then, however, the city must follow the termination provisions contained within the existing agreement.

Under the contract, failures to comply with service requirements can result in notices of default. City officials said Black Hawk Waste had already received one notice and that a second was being prepared. Three defaults may provide grounds for termination under the agreement.

The contract requires collection on the designated service day between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m., officials said.

Prendergast reminded residents that while the city understands the frustration, officials also have a responsibility to ensure Hudson does not place itself in breach of the contract.

“We care, we are listening, taking necessary steps,” Baldiviezo said. “I know it’s frustrating.”

He said the city is working toward a solution while following the necessary legal process and avoiding actions that could place Hudson in a difficult financial or legal position.

Officials also emphasized that ending one contract does not automatically solve the larger logistical problem.

Baldiviezo said the city must plan for pricing, insurance requirements, bidding, collection schedules, garbage carts and the transition to another provider.

“This is more than just canceling,” he said.

The council agreed Public Works Director Jake Hovey could begin gathering information and quotes from other waste collection companies to determine what services and options may be available to Hudson.

Because the city is gathering information rather than awarding a contract or taking formal action, council members said a motion was not required to begin that process.

The goal is to establish a backup plan both in the event the city ultimately has grounds to terminate the current agreement and in case circumstances involving Black Hawk Waste require a transition sooner than July 2027.

Following the meeting, Baldiviezo confirmed that Black Hawk Waste was being sent a second notice of default regarding service issues.

Prendergast recommended the city verify Black Hawk Waste’s current insurance coverage and confirm Hudson is properly listed on the policy.

City Clerk Julie Eastman said she had reviewed the insurance information following the garbage truck fire in Hudson earlier this year and confirmed the city was included on the policy.

Officials said Black Hawk Waste has experienced changes in employees and acknowledged that one of the company’s current contacts appears to be doing what he can to address problems. However, city officials said they do not have enough information to determine what is happening internally within the company.

“We don’t have facts as to why this is happening,” officials noted during the discussion, cautioning against speculation about the cause of the repeated issues.

Baldiviezo and council members also noted that they live in Hudson and experience the same service problems as other residents.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of reporting service issues through the city’s established channels.

Complaints shared across different Facebook groups, posts and comment threads can be difficult for city officials to track and document. Eastman asked residents whose garbage has not been collected — or who experience another service issue — to contact City Hall directly or email cityclerk@cityofhudsonia.com.

Facebook, she said, is useful for communicating information to residents, but it is not the formal place to report service problems.

Monday’s turnout allowed residents to bring those concerns directly into the public process as the city documents service issues, evaluates its contractual options and prepares for what may come next.

For now, Black Hawk Waste remains Hudson’s contracted garbage provider while city officials continue documenting concerns, issuing notices when warranted and gathering information about alternative providers.

“We care, we are listening,” Baldiviezo said. “We’re taking the necessary steps.”