County awards partial bids for leachate work and approves Recycling Center Phase II vestibule replacement

Recycling and materials management staff told the Facilities & Infrastructure Committee that a closed landfill leachate systems improvement project received no bids the first time it was advertised and was rebid with allowance for partial bids. Staff said partial bids were received for some tasks and the full three‑year project will be sequenced to complete priority tasks; engineering estimates for the tasks that were bid exceeded the budgeted line for those discrete tasks and staff will pursue alternative approaches funded through bonded project authority.

The committee also approved a separate capital‑project award for Tompkins County Recycling Center Phase II to replace the glass vestibule and gutter system; the apparent low bid was approximately $190,900 and the award will be to Welliver & Maguire. Staff said the recycling enterprise fund balance will likely cover the non‑bonded portion of the work and that reused fixtures and light fittings may be salvaged for other county projects.

Finally, staff announced a new safety policy effective Aug. 1 requiring users on the recycling facility tip floor to wear high‑visibility vests; the contracted operator will initially provide one free vest and a loaner program will be available for users who do not wish to purchase a vest. The policy is intended to reduce close calls and improve safety on the tip floor.

The committee approved the bids and the Phase II award and thanked staff for pursuing grants and project sequencing that minimize local tax impact.