Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	Mark Thiel
FROM:	Mike Perkins
DATE:	May 14, 2015
RE:	Request purchase of de-icing salt for snow operations

Project Scope

The City of Lawrence participated in a joint salt bid with Douglas County Public Works.

Two bids were received from Central Salt ($50.77/ton) and Independent Salt Co ($56.52/ton) delivered to the City’s facilities.

In 2014, the City Commission approved the addition of 5,000 tons of salt to our on-hand salt storage. This amount brought the standard stockpile of salt to 10,000 tons of on hand salt. This decision was made in short to insure the city had ample amounts of salt to cover an entire winter snow operational season without the need to order during winter months when it is almost impossible to insure the material would be delivered in a timely manner. A normal winter in Lawrence requires the use of approximately 5,000 to 6,000 tons of salt. Having the additional quantity of material is a safe guard from running out. This material will be used for de-icing and snow removal throughout the city as part of our comprehensive winter operations. 

During the 2014/2015 snow operations season, we consumed approximately 4,000 tons of salt. This purchase will replenish that amount and resupply our standard salt material stockpile.

Project Funding

The 2015 approved budget provides $130,000 from the general fund salt materials line item.  The additional funding needing to cover the budget shortfall will come from the general fund line item, snow removal other $70,000 and the remaining $3,080 will be made up using funds from the street maintenance program line item.

Action Request

Award bid for 4,000 tons of de-icing salt to the low bidder, Central Salt, LLC, in the amount of $203,080.00.