After a few more changes from Salish Soils, the composting company signed a contract with the District of Sechelt to provide composting of biosolids generated from Sechelt's new $25-million sewage treatment plant currently under construction between Ebbtide Street and Surf Circle.
Sechelt council officially decided to enter into the contract with Salish Soils at the Nov. 13 council meeting where they also entered into a contract with the Union of B.C. Municipalities to receive $8 million in gas tax funding for the wastewater treatment plant project.
Project coordinator Paul Nash told council previously that Salish Soils simply had to sign the contract, but the composter made "several changes" to wording, definitions and the letter of credit described in the document upon last inspection.
Some of those changes included extending the timeline from six to 12 months if either party wants to terminate the contract and making sure Salish provides a letter of credit 90 days (rather than 30 days) before services are rendered.
"In the event that time comes and they can't provide the letter of credit, we actually have the right to terminate the contract," Nash said. "If they weren't ready for whatever reason, we would know at the 90-day mark."
Coun. Alice Lutes raised a concern with the contract between Sechelt and Salish, saying she thought a request for proposals (RFP) had to be issued before the District could enter into any kind of service contract.
"I just have to say I'm not understanding why the District of Sechelt is signing the contract with Salish Soils without having done an RFP around this portion of contract. My understanding was the contract was with Maple Reinders and Salish Soils and that was why we did not have to do an RFP, so I will have to vote against this for that reason," Lutes said.
Henderson suggested Lutes "just answered" her own question.
"We did the RFP with Maple Reinders and part of Maple Reinders' RFP was to engage Salish Soils, so in selecting Maple Reinders we've fulfilled the obligation for an RFP," Henderson said.
When the vote was called to enter into the contract with Salish Soils, all but Lutes and Coun. Mike Shanks were in favour, so the motion passed.
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, the contract was officially signed at a small ceremony at the District of Sechelt.
Representatives from Salish Soils were on hand with Henderson, District staff and members of council to sign the contract.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate a win-win partnership between First Nations and non-First Nations in the development of sustainable resources," said Aaron Joe following the signing.
- With files from Ian Jacques
