Chapter 3.55
COMPOST PROCUREMENT POLICY
Sections:
3.55.070 Preference in Purchasing
3.55.010 Definition.
“Compost products” means mulch, soil amendments, ground cover, or other landscaping material derived from the biological or mechanical conversion of biosolids or cellulose-containing waste materials. (Ord. 1171, Sec. 1, 2024)
3.55.020 General Policy.
When planning government-funded projects or soliciting and reviewing bids for such projects, the City of Lake Stevens shall consider whether compost products can be utilized in the project. If compost products can be utilized in the project, the City of Lake Stevens shall use compost products, except as follows:
(a) Compost products are not available within a reasonable period of time;
(b) Compost products that are available do not comply with existing purchasing standards;
(c) Compost products that are available do not comply with Federal or State health, quality, and safety standards; and
(d) Compost purchase prices are not reasonable or competitive. The purchase price for compost products is not reasonable or competitive, among the reasons applicable to a project, if the purchase price exceeds 10 percent of the cost of another product that would serve the same purpose. The purchasing price includes all procurement costs including the product cost and all associated transportation and delivery charges. (Ord. 1171, Sec. 1, 2024)
3.55.030 Planning.
To meet the general policy, department heads, when planning projects to be administered by their department, shall plan for compost use in the following categories:
(a) Landscaping projects;
(b) Construction and postconstruction soil amendments;
(c) Applications to prevent erosion, filter stormwater runoff, promote vegetation growth, or improve the stability and longevity of roadways; and
(d) Low-impact development and green infrastructure to filter pollutants or keep water on site, or both.
This planning will be reassessed each even-numbered year, beginning in 2024 and thereafter as part of the reporting obligations in Section 3.55.050. (Ord. 1171, Sec. 1, 2024)
3.55.040 Education.
Lake Stevens shall conduct educational outreach to inform residents about the value of compost and how the jurisdiction uses compost in its operations each year. The City will develop strategies to inform residents about the value of compost and how the City uses compost in its operations in coordination with the City’s comprehensive solid waste management plan pursuant to RCW 70A.205.0454. (Ord. 1171, Sec. 1, 2024)
3.55.050 Reporting.
As required by RCW 43.19A.150(5), by December 31, 2024, and each December 31st of even-numbered years thereafter, the City shall prepare a report for the Department of Ecology covering the previous year’s compost procurement activities. The report shall include the following information:
(a) Total tons of organic material diverted each year;
(b) The volume and cost of compost purchased each year; and
(c) The source(s) of the compost purchased. (Ord. 1171, Sec. 1, 2024)
3.55.060 Local Purchasing.
The City shall give priority to purchasing compost products from companies that produce compost products locally, are certified by a nationally recognized organization, and produce compost products that are derived from municipal solid waste compost programs and meet quality standards comparable to standards adopted by the Department of Transportation or adopted by rule by the Department of Ecology. If locally produced compost is not available for purchase consistent with the general policy in Section 3.55.020, compost may be sourced from nonlocal companies that produce compost products at nonlocal locations sourced as close as possible to Lake Stevens. “Local” as used in this section means compost providers located within a 50-mile radius of the City. Proof of local unavailability shall be documented. (Ord. 1171, Sec. 1, 2024)
3.55.070 Preference in Purchasing.*
In accordance with RCW 39.30.040(1), the City may allow for the preferential purchase of compost to meet the requirements of RCW 43.19A.120. (Ord. 1171, Sec. 1, 2024)
* Code reviser’s note: Ord. 1171 adds this section as 3.55.060. It has been editorially renumbered to prevent duplication of numbering.