Authority approves $51,035 replacement of main transfer-station door

The Solid Waste Management Authority voted to approve change order 36 to replace the main vehicle door at the Del Norte County transfer station.

Director (staff) told the board the door, part of the 2005 facility, has reached the end of its service life and is now inoperable; staff recommended a full replacement rather than piecemeal maintenance. Director said the final contractor estimate is $51,035; the motion was framed as "not to exceed $75,000" but Director confirmed the lower firm estimate at the dais.

A Hambro representative described daily operational difficulty: "It's the main door. Currently, it's inoperable," and said motors and springs have been replaced multiple times. Director and the contractor said over-time maintenance had become impractical and that a full replacement would reduce recurring repairs.

Board members asked about prevailing-wage exposure and past maintenance responsibility. Director said staff obtained two cost estimates, the second of which included prevailing wage "on the advice of our legal counsel," and that prevailing wage generally applies to new construction-type work even if the line between maintenance and replacement is "fuzzy."

A commissioner moved to approve the change order and the motion passed on recorded vote. Michelle (clerk) recorded affirmative responses from the commissioners present.

The work will be scheduled once the change order is executed; Director said staff will pursue long-term maintenance planning to identify other components approaching the end of their service life.