Montezuma County landfill short about 1,700 cubic yards of rock; officials weigh local purchase and compost rates

Montezuma County landfill manager Kevin Jarman reported that construction of landfill cell 5 is short approximately 1,600–1,700 cubic yards of gravel and that contractor Kansai is beginning to mobilize equipment off-site. Jarman said the liner work is complete but the county must place the missing rock before the work can be finished and the final fabric installed. He asked staff to get price quotes from local suppliers and to prepare an expedited plan for commissioners to consider.

The shortage also creates operational concerns: Jarman said he has been pumping water under cell 4 for a month and expects snow- and melt-related moisture issues to continue while the fill remains incomplete. He said Kansai could leave a dozer on site if the county can secure and deliver rock within a week or two so the contractor can finish the job, but otherwise the county may need to rent equipment and finish the work itself.

Why it matters: finishing cell 5 is necessary to continue landfill operations as planned; delays and moisture under liners may complicate operations and cost more to remediate. Jarman said the county still owes Kansai $326,771 under the contract and that the project budget and schedule are tight.

Commissioners discussed process and timing, noting the workshop cannot authorize spending and that the county must meet a 24-hour public-agenda notice for any formal action. Staff suggested scheduling a special meeting at 3 p.m. the next day to review quotes and, if needed, authorize an emergency purchase or contract amendment. Jarman said Rob (county staff) is soliciting contractor prices and will forward estimates so the county can decide on a plan.

Jarman also raised the related proposal to begin accepting clean food waste from the City of Cortez for composting on the landfill’s new pad. He said current municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal is charged about $59–$60 per ton; staff is considering offering an incentive rate about half that amount for separated food waste to make diverting material financially attractive. City staff are assembling routes and expect initial loads; Jarman estimated an initial delivery of about $1,500 worth of material (first load), and warned the county may not have enough green-chipping material to mix with biosolids and incoming food waste at current volumes.

Next steps and decisions: staff will obtain local gravel quotes and email commissioners; if quotes require prompt action, staff will place a special meeting on the agenda to authorize procurement or contractor changes. Commissioners instructed staff to prepare options for rates and operations for the food-waste program and to consider whether to subsidize incoming loads to ensure sufficient green material supply and odor control measures.

Ending: Jarman said he would CC commissioners on updates and try to have pricing information that afternoon or the following morning. Commissioners agreed to place the matter on unfinished business and to convene a special meeting if necessary to meet procurement notice rules.