Title
Resolution to Appropriate Funds from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund for Compost Cart purchases from Bell Equipment ($358,200.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Your approval is requested to appropriate funds from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund for purchasing up to 6,000 Toter 96 gallon carts from Bell Equipment at a cost of $59.70 per cart. These carts will be similar to those used for refuse and recycling collection, but will be dark brown in color with "COMPOST" stamped on them. Continuing with the same brand of cart will reduce parts inventory, and will simplify repairs.
These carts will be sold at $59.70 each to local vendors, provided the vendors agree to sell the carts to the public with a maximum $10.00 markup. So far Downtown Home and Garden and Recycle Ann Arbor (at the City's Drop Off station) have agreed to serve as vendors. Staff is working to get other vendors and the list of vendors will be available on the City's website.
In addition, the City will distribute $20.00 discount coupons to each resident through a Waste Watcher issue to be mailed in March. Residents will provide these coupons to the merchants when purchasing the carts, and will receive the discount off the cart purchase. The merchant will be reimbursed for the coupons collected. Therefore the net cost to the City will be $20.00 per cart.
We are also requesting these funds be made available across fiscal years in order to provide the opportunity to purchase carts throughout the composting season.
The City will also provide a curbside collection program for old cans April 1st through 7th. These cans will be collected at no additional charge, with an effort made to reuse and recycle cans where possible.
Staff
Prepared by: Tom McMurtrie, Systems Planning Unit
Reviewed by: Sue F. McCormick, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Roger W. Fraser, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City will be allowing residents to use carts for compost collection beginning April 1, 2008;
Whereas, Teveral merchants have agreed to sell City-supplied compost carts to the public;
Whereas, The City would like to encourage the purchase of the carts by supplying residents with coupons;
Whereas, Bell Equipment received Human Rights approval on September 13, 2007;
Whereas, It is in the interest of the City to sole source to Bell Equipment as the exclusive vendor for Toter carts, since continuing to use Toter carts will reduce parts inventories and repair costs; and
Whereas, Funding to purchase the carts is available in the Fund Balance of the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund;
RESOLVED, That $358,200.00 be appropriated from the Fund Balance of the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund to purchase up to 6,000 Toter 96 gallon carts at a cost of $59.70 per cart;
RESOLVED, That the City provide each resident with a $20.00 discount coupon good towards the purchase of one compost cart;
RESOLVED, That funds be made available for the life of the project without regard to fiscal year; and
RESOLVED, That City Council authorizes the City Administrator to take necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.