Submitted by San Juan County.

During the Aug. 5 meeting, County Council passed a resolution authorizing the disposal of surplus gravel by public bid. In addition, the resolution authorized the negotiation of a multiyear gravel extraction lease with the winning bidder.

Following procedures set out in SJCC Chapter 2.104, the Public Works Department will conduct a sealed bid opening on Aug. 27 for the public sale of up to 1,000 cubic yards of bank run gravel to be extracted in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations at the Waldron Gravel Pit Lease Area.

The County manager will then negotiate a Gravel Extraction Lease with the successful bidder for purchase of the gravel. This lease will be presented for Council consideration and a future public hearing date.

Background

Residents of Waldron Island have been seeking a local solution to their need for gravel for many years. Most recently, Council has been considering a plan to make gravel available for public sale from the County’s gravel pit on Waldron Island.

During the March 31 Council meeting, staff presented a conceptual plan to Council to make gravel from the County’s gravel pit available for public sale on Waldron Island.

On April 12, staff attended a community meeting on Waldron Island to discuss the conceptual plan with residents.

Council members discussed the potential plan during the April 15 meeting, along with the feedback received from Waldron residents, the possible impacts to Public Works operations and the state of the Road Fund.

During the July 1 Council meeting on Waldron, the Council set a public hearing for Aug. 5 to further discuss the plan.

During the Aug. 5 meeting, Council passed a resolution authorizing the disposal of surplus gravel by public bid and the negotiation of a multi-year gravel extraction lease.