Public works to rebid septic project, recommends fuel contract and advances emergency Barnes Drive repair

County engineer Susan Eugenas told commissioners that staff will ask the board to formally reject all bids for the Camelot large on-site septic system because the apparent high and low bidders failed to meet qualifications and the middle bidder omitted a required proposal sheet; staff plan to revise the project and rebid it to attract more competitive offers.

Eugenas also outlined an RFP process completed in November for fuel delivery and said staff scored two submittals and recommend Wilcox and Plaguel to provide diesel and gasoline delivery to county tanks, the landfill and other sites on a three-year term with a current not-to-exceed estimate of $775,000, subject to fuel-price fluctuations and pending contract approval.

On Barnes Drive, public works presented ERP 820 with a current construction estimate of $610,600 and an additional $10,000 for surveying, inspection and contract management. Staff said they expect eligibility for FEMA and Washington State Department of Emergency Management reimbursement, estimating a combined federal-state reimbursement rate that yields roughly an 87.5% share covered (FEMA typically pays 75% with the remainder split), and therefore plan to move forward to set up the contract and begin work in mid-February, with local traffic restoration on gravel possible sooner and final paving after seasonal work windows.

Commissioners asked about timing and safety; staff said the lane is partially undermined, would likely require full-lane replacement based on geotechnical assessment, and that contractors are prepared to mobilize within weeks. The board will consider these items on the agenda as presented.