Memorandum
City of
Parks & Recreation Department
DATE: |
January 27, 2014 |
TO: |
Dave Corliss, City Manager, |
|
Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager |
|
Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager |
|
Ernie Shaw, Interim Director Parks &
Recreation |
FROM: |
Mark Hecker, Assistant Director, Parks and
Recreation |
RE: |
Bid date for Forestry grapple truck |
Please include the following item on the
City Commission agenda for consideration at the February 4th, meeting:
Set a
bid opening date of February 25, 2014, for the purchase of a grapple truck for the
City’s Forestry Division.
Project
Description
The City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation
Department requests the bidding of a new grapple truck to assist crews in the
removal of tree debris on the City right-of-way (see attached pictures).
The reasons for this request include:
1.
Inadequate existing equipment –
currently a 1989 two-ton truck and a 1987 rubber tired loader are the primary pieces
of equipment used for removal of fallen trees or large debris from tree
removals. This equipment is in very poor condition and requires 2 operators.
2.
Increased demand for forestry
services - Staff are seeing more dead trees in the City inventory from the past
3 years of drought. The dead trees list is growing faster than our crew
can remove them. Staff is estimating that there are currently 280
removals needed from the inventory.
3.
Development of an Emerald Ash Borer
Preparedness Plan - Over the next 15 years, we estimate 10 % of city right of
way / park trees will be impacted by the Emerald Ash Borer. This could mean as
many as 3000 ash trees may need to be removed as this pest spreads to this part
of the country. Further increasing the
need for adequate removal equipment.
4.
Emergency Preparedness – The
equipment being requested would be highly beneficial in the removal of storm
damaged tree or other debris.
5.
This equipment will be a back-up
unit for the Solid Waste division of Public Works to assist in the in the
removal of large household waste items.
Project
Funding
It is estimated that the total cost for this
equipment would be $110,000 and will be funded using a combination of Solid
Waste Division equipment funds and reserve funds.
Action
Request
The City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation
Department staff requests approval from the City Commission to set a bid date
of February 25, 2014, for the purchase of a new grapple truck.
Thank you for your assistance. Please advise if you have any questions.