A five-member evaluation team will recommend awarding a 10-year contract for processing greenwaste to Natural Resources Recovery of Tennessee (NRRT), despite unresolved litigation, questions over money due to the county and numerous citizen complaints in the last three years.

The recommendation must be approved by a County Commission that has been highly critical of NRRT’s past work.

Paul Pinkston has been the most outspoken critic of NRRT for its failure to observe the revenue sharing provision of the current contract. Conceivably, hundreds of thousands of dollars are at stake, but for Pinkston the issue is simple:

“Why should we be doing business with a company that owes us money?”

Some of NRRT’s neighbors in the Solway area have complained of odor coming from the site since 2005. Under the proposed contract, biosolids will no longer be accepted for processing, a change that both the county and the vendor hope will reduce or eliminate odors.

Late last year, a lawsuit was filed by Brad Mayes, a local mulch dealer, alleging the company made false claims in reporting the amount of material they were receiving and selling. Knox County subsequently joined the lawsuit – against its own vendor – and a mediation session is scheduled for June 11.

For the county, at issue is a provision in its contract with NRRT that the company pay the county $1.50 per cubic yard of product sold in “revenue sharing.” NRRT disputes the claim, alleging that the county reneged on its agreement to provide sufficient greenwaste at startup. To date, the county has received no revenue sharing funds.

Yet the panel still recommended NRRT for the new contract, which includes an option to renew for an additional 10 years, according to Matt Munafo, contracts coordinator for Knox County purchasing. The company’s proposal also included a $6,000 per month lease payment for using county-owned property in Solway and at the Forks of the River industrial park.

Marketing and public relations firm Ackermann PR represents NRRT.

“We’re obviously pleased that Knox County has decided to award us the contract again,” said Ackermann representative Mike Cohen. He declined additional comment.

Along with NRRT, Knox Ag, Kellems and Garrick submitted proposals. Bidders could receive a maximum of 100 points from each evaluator in three broad categories: operational issues, experience and “cost and financials.”

The evaluators included Tom Salter, solid waste director; David Griffin from the Public Building Authority; Matt Myers, contracts administrator for Knox County purchasing; Dr. Richard Buggelin of UT’s Center for Industrial Services; and Lynne Liddington, director of air quality management. Only Liddington did not rate NRRT the top choice.

Liddington said she was not privy to the other evaluations, but she approached hers from her background in air quality issues.

“Because of the size of the tub grinders, they have to be permitted (by Air Quality Management),” Liddington said.

Salter, who replaced the late John Evans last December, said the decision had to be based upon the proposals.

“We were carefully instructed to evaluate the proposals based upon the RFP (request for proposal) itself,” said Salter. He added that the county expected the chosen contractor to bring in more greenwaste from the community.

Salter said he “expects a discussion” when the proposal comes before County Commission.

“I’m hoping the issues that commission is concerned about will be resolved at mediation,” he said.

Unless mediation results in compensation for the county, Salter may be disappointed.


Ratings Garrick Kellems Knox Ag NRRT

Matt Myers 73.4 86.2 91.67 92.67
Lynne Liddington 67.4 88.2 71.67 84.67
David Griffin 67.0 80.0 92.00 93.00
Tom Salter 70.4 78.2 85.67 94.67
Richard Buggelin 85.4 87.2 80.67 96.67
Total Score 363.6 413.8 421.68 461.68

Govt. Tip Fees (per ton)

Yard waste 29.00 27.00 23.00 24.00
Pallets 29.00 22.00 20.00 24.00
Tree stumps 29.00 27.00 50.00 24.00
Chips 29.00 22.00 20.00 24.00

Monthly lease payment

$250 $4,000 $4,000 $6,000

Tip fees charged to Knox County*

Yard waste $307,806 $286,578 $244,122 $254,736
Pallets $110,142 $83,556 $75,960 $91,152
Tree stumps $14,355 $13,365 $24,750 $11,880
Total $432,303 $383,499 $344,832 $357,768

*based on 10,614 tons of yard waste; 3,798 tons of pallets; 495 tons of tree stumps

Write to Larry Van Guilder at lvgknox@mindspring.com, or call 293-2179. You can read Larry’s blog at http://tabloidboy.squarespace.com/blog/.