This chapter is adopted for the following purposes:
A. 
To substantially increase the procurement of recycled content products by the city of Snoqualmie by diverting methane-producing organic materials from landfills to productive uses of organic material wastes, including compost and finished product materials;
B. 
To provide for local preference in procurement of compost to support the economic viability of compost diversion programs;
C. 
To support the use of compost in landscaping and as a soil amendment for the benefits of moisture retention, weed suppression, natural nutrients, prevention of soil erosion, and stormwater filtration.
(Ord. 1307 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
A. 
"Compost products"
shall have the meaning defined in RCW 43.19A.010, as now or hereinafter amended.
B. 
"Finished compost product" or "finished product"
means a product created with "composted material" as defined in RCW 70A.205.015(3) as now or hereafter amended. Finished compost products include, but are not limited to, 100 percent finished compost or blends that include compost as a primary ingredient. Mulch is considered a finished compost product if it contains a minimum of 60 percent composted material. Bark is not a finished compost product.
(Ord. 1307 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
A. 
The city shall plan for the use of compost where practicable and feasible in its city maintained landscaping areas, construction project soil amendments; and post-construction soil amendments.
B. 
The city shall plan for the use of compost where practicable and feasible to prevent erosion and promote vegetation growth.
C. 
The city shall plan for use of compost where practicable and feasible to improve the stability and longevity of city rights-of-way.
D. 
Consistent with the currently adopted and future adoptions and amendments of the King County Surface Water Design Manual and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Permit, the city shall plan for use of compost to filter stormwater runoff, and in low-impact development and green infrastructure to filter pollutants and keep water on site.
(Ord. 1307 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
A. 
City departments shall consider purchasing finished compost products from companies that:
1. 
Procure compost products locally within King County;
2. 
Are certified by nationally recognized organizations like the US Composting Council;
3. 
Are permitted by the local health jurisdiction; and
4. 
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.
B. 
Notwithstanding subsections A, B and C of this section, the city of Snoqualmie shall not be required to procure, use, or require the use of compost, and may use an alternative material if:
1. 
Compost products are not available to purchase;
2. 
Compost products are not available within a reasonable time or distance to the location where the work is being performed;
3. 
Available compost products do not comply with existing purchasing standards in SMC Title 2;
4. 
Available compost products do not comply with federal, state, or local health, quality, and safety standards; or
5. 
Compost purchase prices are not reasonable or competitive.
C. 
If compost meeting the criteria in subsection A of this section is not available, preference for compost procurement must be given to products sourced as close as possible to the city of Snoqualmie. Proof that locally produced compost was not available at the time of purchase or was cost-prohibitive must be documented.
D. 
The local preference requirement in this chapter must be incorporated, whenever relevant, into any contracts entered into by the city of Snoqualmie.
E. 
The local preference authorized in this chapter controls over any conflicting city purchasing policies.
F. 
The parks and public works department, or its successor department, is delegated with authority to provide any reporting to the state of Washington required by RCW 43.19A.150(5), as now or hereinafter amended.
(Ord. 1307 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)