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Council opts for used washroom trailer

Sicamous council agreed to the purchase of a used, two-year-old, 10-by-40-foot wash car for $112,500, to be supplied by Twin Anchors.

The District of Sicamous is going with a new-to-you option for a portable washroom facility.

Last week, Sicamous council agreed to the purchase of a used, two-year-old, 10-by-40-foot wash car for $112,500, to be supplied by Twin Anchors. According to a district staff memo, the unit saw only 10 days of use at local events, 90 days booked in the forest industry and is in terrific shape.

The unit is to be upgraded to meet the district’s wants for a portable bathroom facility – one that includes a handicap stall and showers.

Council’s selection of the unit follows a tendering process in which the district put out a request for proposals for portable washroom facilities, with option one including a handicap facility and option two including showers. Offers were received from three different companies, with the highest price coming in at $195,000 (a newly-constructed option one). Twin Anchors had the lowest bids for newly-constructed portable washroom facilities ($162,000 for option one and $170,000 for option two), but also offered the quote for the used unit.

Coun. Janna Simons questioned the process of allowing the third, used option – one that wasn’t specified in the tendering process. Town manager Evan Parliament said the district is allowed to select a successful bidder and then further negotiate before the contract is awarded.

“We can entertain and negotiate and modify. We’re allowed to do that. That doesn’t make the tender itself illegal,” said Parliament.

Council agreed to award the contract to Twin Anchors with Simons opposed, stating the trailer was too big and she didn’t agree with the process.

A total of $220,000 was budgeted for 2016 for the purchase of portable stage and washroom facilities. Council agreed to the purchase of a stage unit earlier this year to the tune of $155,000. An additional $75,000 was received through the Columbia Shuswap Regional economic opportunity fund to go towards the purchase of the stage, leaving sufficient funding in capital reserves to fund the $40,492 needed for the washroom purchase.