ITEM TITLE:
Approval to Purchase 680 Bear Resistant Carts from Rehrig Pacific Company in the Amount of $188,438
SUBMITTED BY: Bart Hinkle, Chief of Police on behalf of Rob Comstock, Public Works Director
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: $ 188,438
Unencumbered Balance: $ 704,000
Funding Source: 001-7300-43400, Solid Waste / Contractual Services
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the purchase of 680 Bear Resistant Carts in the amount of $188,438.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The purchase of the Bear Resistant Carts represents a major step forward in implementing standardized and automated curbside garbage collection. The initiative, led by the Public Works Department, is a product of collaboration amongst multiple City Departments as well as the Bear Working Group.
Per City Code, procurements over $100K must be pre-approved by City Council.
BACKGROUND:
• An initial proposal was presented to City Council in the form of a work session on 4.16.19, at which time the green light was given to proceed with further development of the program.
• The approved program is reflected in the adopted 2020 budget within the Solid Waste department. Additional costs not reflected in this agenda item include travel and fleet modifications.
• The selection of the 96-gallon Rehrig Bear Cart reflects the results of beta-testing among select Valdez customers. A similar product is used by Alaska Waste throughout Anchorage and Eagle River.
• Solid Waste Staff (Erick Garcia) visited the Rehrig factory to observe the production process, speak with select company representatives, and ensure the Public Works Department was confident in the product before proceeding with the budget request.
NEXT STEPS - PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION:
• The City has assembled a group of stakeholders who (pending purchase approval and the passing of Ordinance # 20-01) will be tasked with and dedicated to developing and implementing a robust public information campaign.
• The program will be implemented in the spring/summer of 2020, with an expected initial date of late May/early June. Once the program is implemented, no other containers other than the aforementioned Rehrig Bear Resistant Carts provided by the City will be collected at curbside. These details will be included and highlighted in the forthcoming public information campaign.
• In order to enroll in the program residents will need to coordinate with Public Works. Those households currently utilizing curbside services will be prioritized in the new program.
o There are currently about 550 households using curbside, with a proposed initial purchase of 680 cans.
o Those residents that do not currently use curbside but are interested in the program will be placed on a list and provided a COV-owned Rehrig on a first-come first-served basis, subject to availability.
• Each household will receive one 96-gallon bear resistant cart without charge. They will be asked to sign a contract, indicating that the container is City of Valdez property and that the resident may not damage it or steal it. If a resident is to violate one of those provisions, they are responsible for the replacement cost of the container and may be issued a citation under VMC 8.08. If a household desires two of the containers, they may purchase the second one (subject to availability) from the City at cost.
• The Rehrig Bear Resistant Containers will come stamped with the City logo, as detailed on the attached quote. Additionally, each will bear a unique identification number and will also be embedded with an RFID tag. Public Works will collect and maintain a list of the household members that are enrolled in the program, and which containers belong to them.