Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	Charles F. Soules, P.E., Director Public Works
FROM:	Mike Perkins, Mark Thiel
DATE:	April 23, 2014
RE:	Request purchase of de-icing salt for snow operations

Please include the following item on the City Commission Consent Agenda for consideration at the May 6th, 2014 meeting.

Project Scope

Douglas County, as part of a cooperative effort, bids the purchase of rock salt each year. Central Salt was the low bidder this year at a price of $50.17 per ton. This material will be used for pretreating, prewetting and de-icing during snow operations throughout the city as part of winter operations.  During a typical winter we utilize approximately 5,000 tons. As part of our operations plan for 2015 we are planning to increase the total on hand quantity of rock salt an additional 5,000 tons. This will give us a reserve of salt prior to the beginning of each winter season, thus eliminating the need to order during winter months due to shortages when it is difficult to guarantee delivery.

Project Funding

Funding will be from the approved 2014 General Fund Materials Salt line item. Currently we have $130,000 authorized as part of the 2014 budget. We are requesting to use fund balance to cover that additional cost for this purchase $371,709.53.

The breakdown is as follows:

Available funds 2014	$130,000.00	2,591 tons
Fund Balance 2014	$371,709.53	7,409 tons
TOTALS	$501.709.53	10,000 tons

Action Request

Authorize the City Manager to purchase 10,000 tons of de-icing salt in the amount of $501,709.53 from Central Salt, utilizing the Joint Douglas County Bid.