Newly Merged Firm Keeps Trash Contract

Trash will be hauled away as usual in the city, but the company doing the work will not be the same.

That’s because Briggeman Disposal Inc., which has picked up waste for more than 40 years, merged last month with Republic Industries Solid Waste Services Inc.

The City Council on Monday unanimously approved the transfer of the refuse franchise, after city staff members determined that Republic met the city’s conditions of operation.

Mayor Tom Carroll called the transfer “seamless” and said he expects no service disruptions.

Florida-based Republic strengthened its position in Orange County by proposing the $16.5-million buyout of Briggeman last month. Briggeman had operated since 1957 in Cypress, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach.

Under the arrangement, the familiar Briggeman trucks--white with green trim--will continue to serve city residents, said George Briggeman Jr., company president and chief executive officer.

“The trucks will be the same and the employees will be the same,” Briggeman said. “It just will be owned by Republic.”

Seal Beach and Los Alamitos approved the transfer earlier this month.

In other business, the City Council voted 3 to 1 to extend the live music permit of La Terraza Restaurant, 6197 Ball Road, for 60 days. The extension will allow the restaurant owner to address neighbors’ complaints about noise and drinking problems.

“We are a family restaurant and want to keep our business in Cypress,” said restaurant manager Leticia Montalbo. “We want to be a part of the community and work with it.”

The council is requiring that the restaurant reduce its hours of live music on certain days, increase security, retrain employees and work with police and area businesses.