CC MEETING: November 19, 2024
DATE: October 28, 2024
TO: Erin Rinehart, City Manager
FROM: Kim Bybee, Parks Manager
Chrystal Davis, Assistant City Manager
Title
Consider Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With Turf And Soil Management, Through Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative, To Purchase Two (2) Autonomous Mowers In An Amount Not To Exceed $62,284.53.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Parks is requesting to purchase two (2) autonomous mowing units with charging stations and a reference station from Turf and Soil Management through our cooperative purchasing agreement with Sourcewell. These autonomous units will be used to maintain athletic fields and other park property. They will allow the Parks Department to be more efficient and allow staff additional time to focus on various tasks to improve field safety and quality.
The Parks Department incorporated autonomous mowers into their athletic field maintenance program just over a year ago and they have already had a direct impact on turf quality by increasing turf density and wear tolerance, leading to healthier, more resilient playing surfaces. With the added capacity, staff has been able to prioritize irrigation issues and other maintenance and field safety concerns, such as low spots on the fields.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The equipment will be purchased from budgeted funds from the Parks Consolidated Fund. The not to exceed amount includes a 10% contingency to cover any unexpected expenses or price increases.
ACCTG UNIT ACCOUNT BUDGET AMOUNT
854360 Electric Mowers $62,284.53
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:
Purchasing equipment such as this ensures that City employees have the resources necessary to do their job, which is a Council strategic goal.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff recommends Council authorize a contract with Turf and Soil Management for the purchase of two (2) autonomous mowers with charging stations and a reference station through a cooperative purchasing agreement with Sourcewell in an amount not to exceed $62,284.53.