07/13/2012: "Operators Wanted For SJI Waste Site"

"We have been pleased with the response so far to the RFP (Request for Proposals) we issued for the Orcas solid waste facility, so we are optimistic about finding a qualified lessor to provide services on San Juan Island."
-Public Works Director Frank Mulcahy

On July 18th San Juan County will invite proposals to lease the San Juan Island solid waste site on Sutton Road.

The property will be put up for lease to a qualified vendor who will provide some solid waste services.

To qualify, applicants will be rated on the variety of services they intend to provide, their proposed site improvements, the costs to the public, the number of jobs that will be created, and their experience, along with several other items.

A vendor leasing the site would have the option to keep self-haul operating - as it is now - for up to a year after the contract is signed.

The vendor would use that first year to repair and improve the site and to obtain permits for continued to operations after the first year. Improvements to the structures and the paving are required to comply with health regulations and with local traffic concerns. Permits are required to safeguard public health.

If a qualified vendor is selected, the contract is likely to be in place by the end of this year.

The land for lease includes both the Town's Sutton Road property that is now used for self-haul and an adjacent undeveloped property owned by the County.

The County Council approved a Request for Proposals at its July 10 meeting. The description of qualifications for applicants includes the variety of services, proposed site improvements, costs to the public, experience, financial capacity, and estimated number of in-county jobs created, and about eight other items.

Any vendor leasing the site would have the option to keep self-haul operating as it is now for up to a year after the contract is signed. State health regulations require that solid waste is disposed of at appropriate and legal facilities. The vendor would be responsible for that transport and disposal.

The lessee would have that first year of the contract to repair and improve the site for providing their services and to obtain permits to continue to operate the site.

Improvements to the structures and paving are required to comply with health regulations and local traffic concerns, and permits are required to safeguard public health.

The request for proposals will be released on July 18th. After that, interested parties will have 72 days to provide their proposal to the County. Interested parties must attend a pre-proposal meeting and site visit. Selection criteria are written into the RFP so that anyone making a proposal will be able to see them.

Proposals from potential lessors of the Orcas property will be opened on July 13th.