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Council waives bids, approves contractor to decommission Homestead septic system
Summary
The West Fork City Council voted to waive competitive bidding and proceed with a contractor to decommission individual septic tanks in the Homestead neighborhood as part of an already budgeted project funded by loans, grants and ARPA money.
The West Fork City Council voted to waive competitive bidding and approved a contractor to decommission septic tanks and close the treatment system serving the Homestead neighborhood.
City staff said the decommissioning is part of an existing funding package that includes loans, grants and American Rescue Plan Act funds already set aside for the project. City staff explained that the contractor would pump out tanks, remove mechanical equipment at the treatment plant, cap buried lines and backfill tanks to prevent collapse. Nick, a city staff member who discussed project logistics, said the contractor "is ready and more than willing to help make the transition fully to conventional sewer and help get the project closed out."
Council members noted the state health department (DEQ) has approved backfilling tanks in place rather than removing tanks when site conditions make excavation risky. City staff said earlier uncertainty about whether tanks needed to be excavated had slowed progress; staff indicated most tanks are plastic and roughly 1,200–1,500 gallons in size, and that the project remains within the budget contingency. One council member asked whether the city legally could waive competitive bidding; staff said state procurement law allows waivers when documented and approved by resolution, and the city attorney prepared the necessary letter and resolution.
By voice vote the council approved Resolution 20248 to waive the competitive-bid requirement and proceed with the contractor; the motion carried. City staff said the contractor will manage the closure plan, including required permitting with state agencies, and that project contingencies remain to cover modest differences between estimates and final costs.
The council did not record a roll-call tally in the minutes; the approval was announced by voice as "that motion carries." The council said it will return to specifics of any long-term land-use decisions for affected parcels if future park or other plans are proposed.
