This morning I met with CM Joe McDermott and his Chief of Staff, Grant Lahmann.  Following are notes that I took from that meeting.

• They explained that this is different than a 2011 action, which was almost an automatic extension of Ardagh's lease.  This is a clean, brand new lease with other proposals being evaluated.   They don't have any details on competing proposals and have not spoken with anyone representing other proposals.
• Process is that leases are managed through Facility Management Division.   Tony Wright is the head of that division.  Tony makes recommendation after evaluating different proposals, but Dow Constantine's office will make the final decision and send to council for an up or down vote through a public process.  Once lease terms are decided they will send a negotiated contract to council. 
• Head of ArdaghGroup Americas flew in recently from Chicago to meet with CM McDermott.  He has met with Ardagh and labor representatives (United Steelworkers, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, IBEW Local 46) to learn about what they are doing.  He feels it is a tight operation, glass recycling, box maker and manufacturing all together.  He felt they made a good case for transportation.  340 jobs support this operation.  No estimate on how many jobs will be created by the removal of glass operations and construction of new facilities, or the operations of whatever alternatives are in place.  We discussed possibility of including a concession to give preferential treatment to existing employees or set aside funds for job training with revenues from the lease. 
• CM McDermott encouraged reaching out to Tony Wright.  (Called Tony's office 7/31 and left a message)
• Criteria they are looking at: Good return for the county's asset. Environmental lens.  Jobs.  Passed legislation last year that adds a qualitative assessment overlay including environmental and labor concerns (Ordinance 18372).
• "In determining the highest responsible bidder, in addition to rental, the following responsibility criteria elements shall be given consideration:

                   c.  the bidder's historical compliance with environmental, worker safety labor, and human trafficking laws, rules and regulations to establish that the bidder is responsible.  For the purposes of this subsection, "historical compliance" means a minimum of the three years preceding the bid opening.  This subsection C.1.c. shall not apply to any lease with revenue from base rent over the term of the lease and any potential extensions included in the lease of less than two hundred thousand dollars.  Also, this subsection C.1.c. shall not apply to leases with individuals, businesses with fewer than ten employees, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations or utility companies, including cellular providers, or to subleases of less than two hundred thousand dollars; and                2.  The executive, when developing responsibility criteria that evaluates historical compliance with environmental, worker safety, labor and human trafficking laws, rules and regulations, may also develop criteria to use in determining the responsibility of a bidder or interested party, that evaluates the record of a bidder or interested party in providing employee benefits including an employer- or union-provided retirement plan, health benefits and either paid parental leave or paid family leave, or both."

• No community engagement planned at this time.  Joe said he was open to coming and talking with the community, but stressed that it isn't his recommendation.  He also said that he would let Dow Constantine and Tony Wright know that the community was interested in being part of the discussion.