The last time the North Miami council met the chambers were overflowing with residents wanting to speak out on a resolution to privatize garbage collection.

The trash issue is on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.

The controversial ordinance recently passed on a 3 to 2 vote and was followed by Councilman Jean Marcellus’ request that the city manager look into proposals from companies interested in the trash contract.

At Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners will vote on whether to give preliminary approval to an ordinance that allows City Manager Stephen Johnson to negotiate in a piggyback agreement with Waste Pro of Florida’s contract with Miramar.

If the ordinance passes, Waste Pro would replace the current city run sanitation department and eventually could become the sole trash hauler in North Miami.

Miramar began receiving waste services from Waste Pro in May 2010 at a charge of about $18 for a single family dwellings for twice weekly trash and recycling pickup services and monthly bulk pickup.

Currently, North Miami residents in single family pay about $50 a month for twice a week trash and recycling collection and weekly bulk pickup.

Although the terms of the deal are still being negotiated, Johnson said residents living in single family dwellings should expect to pay about $2 less a month than Miramar residents.

“They had a recent contract that was less than a year old,” said Johnson. “The services they have are basic services that mirror North Miami’s.”

Councilman Scott Galvin, who along with Councilman Michael Blynn voted against privatization because of fears of response after a hurricane, possible rate hikes and ability to respond to complaints, said he is uncomfortable with the speed the resolution moving.

“For a contract this size, and of this much importance, to go this quickly to a specific company with no bidding, makes me uncomfortable,” said Galvin said, got the proposed contract Monday night. “What’s the rush?”

The garbage pickup proposal has been the subject of controversy after the mayor’s nephew and reelection campaign manager, Ricardo Brutus, was arrested in March for allegedly accepting $4,000 from a local businessman to ensure the ordinance was delayed until after the election.

Brutus was caught on tape describing his influence in City Hall, although he has denied wrongdoing and Pierre has sought to distance himself from the case. But in a meeting last month the mayor bristled when Councilman Michael Blynn brought up his nephew’s arrest, and angrily referred to Blynn’s daughters as prostitutes — a comment he later apologized for.

Johnson said he will respond to any questions from council members at tonight’s meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at the North Miami City Hall, 776 NE 125th St.