Pateros surpluses landfill site, considers new metal recycle center

PATEROS – The city has received an offer to purchase its 16.6-acre landfill property on Starr Road south of town for use as a future recycle center. Toward that end the city council, by unanimous vote on Feb. 18, declared the property as surplus to push the process forward.

Nick Tommer, the potential buyer who already owns three metal recycle centers, addressed the council during its January meeting to explain his proposal, describe his current operations, and answer any questions from council members.

Speaking to the council last month, City Administrator Jord Wilson clarified the present status of the landfill site and reminded the members of the steps that remain to clear the way for a sale. 

“The inactive landfill was closed about 30 years ago,” said Wilson. “It still has some final paperwork closure to go through with the state and the county.” Those steps include:

1. Off-gassing the byproduct produced by the decomposition of organic waste.
2. Testing leachate produced when water filters downward through a landfill. 
3. Monitor landfill settling.

Wilson said the water monitoring has already been done with no red flags found. Engineer assistance – at an estimated cost of $75,000-$100,000 - is required to complete the remaining two steps. Wilson does not expect any issues to arise from either of those.

“The only garbage placed there was city trash for about eight years, said Wilson. “All cells were surveyed where there are deposits.”

A condition of surplus approval is that the parcel cannot sell for less than fair market value.

“The mayor and the council have to determine fair market value,” said Wilson. “That can range between the assessed and appraised value.”

As part of establishing fair market value the council can consider such factors as the three-to-five jobs the new business will create, improvements to the site, and the cost of closing out the landfill as part of that fair market value.

While the parcel is not contiguous to the city it is part of the city limits because it is city-owned, Wilson said. It remains a suitable location for a recycle center for two key reasons:

• The land is unbuildable owing to the slope and the presence of large boulders.
• Water is neither present nor drilling for water permitted.

The city has been working for more than a decade to find a suitable use for the land.

“We went to the state and got a grant in 2014 and did a feasibility to bring recycle to that site,” said Wilson. Several years later, the city did a second feasibility for plastics recycling.

“It has been in the process to try to get a recycler in there,” said Wilson. “It seemed like a good fit because of the lack of water.”

Enter Tommer, owner of Moses Lake Iron & Metal, and Wenatchee Valley Salvage & Recycling, about six months ago. A willing buyer with the right business found a willing seller with the right site.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media