Item #09
Date: April 2, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Vincenzo S. Corazza, Public Works Director
Jim Schaad, City Manager
Subject: Parks Division Lawn Mower Purchase
Recommendation:
Pass a Motion to 1) authorize purchase of two additional commercial lawn mowers for the Parks Division of Public Work pursuant to Chapter 2.76.120 (v) of the Marysville Municipal Code, utilizing Sourcewell cooperative purchasing agreement # #031121-SCG and 2) authorize the Finance Director to make a supplemental appropriation for an amount not to exceed $20,000 to 10-160-5401 (Vehicles & Heavy Equipment).
Rationale for Recommendation:
The Parks Division of the Public Works Department seeks to purchase one additional commercial riding lawn mower to maintain 15+ parks and open spaces. Diesel-powered lawn mowers are limited in quantity for purchase as California is transitioning to electric powered riding lawn mowers. Current offerings of electric models have limited range and are significantly higher in price than their diesel counterparts.
Staff have identified sources that have a limited supply of gas or diesel-powered riding lawnmowers. The City has the ability to utilize the competitively solicited Sourcewell (formerly NJPA) cooperative purchasing agreement #031121-SCG to purchase the mowers at a discounted price.
Background:
California’s Green Lawn Care Law, Assembly Bill 1346 signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2023, banned the selling of new gas-powered equipment using small off-road engines in 2024; this includes riding lawn mowers. Most vendors are clearing out their existing gas/diesel-powered lawn mowers while making room for new electric powered lawn mowers to be sold in accordance with state law.
Currently in the Parks Division, there are four commercial diesel-powered riding lawn mowers. Their year and model are as follows:
1) 2018 Skag Turf Tiger II
2) 2019 Skag Turf Tiger II
3) 2019 John Deere Turf Terrain 1570
4) 2019 John Deere Turf Terrain 1570
Item #09
Discussion & Analysis:
There are four full time equivalent employees assigned to the Parks Division of Public Works responsible for maintenance of:
• 4 community parks – large parks designed for organized activities, sports, or large group functions, • 3 passive parks – small, landscaped parcels that serve as green space, • 7 neighborhoods parks – found throughout residential neighborhoods that cater to those neighborhoods by providing areas for outdoor enjoyment.
As staff has experienced repeated breakdown of our aging lawn mowing fleet, it was anticipated to request the City Council for a new lawn mower in the FY24-25 budget cycle. Typically, riding lawn mowers last between six to ten years and if put on a two-year leapfrog replacement schedule, at least one would be up for being replaced next fiscal year. However, due to the depleting supply of gas/diesel-powered lawn mowers available for purchase staff recommend that the City expedite the purchase of two lawn mowers with diesel powered units and applicable spare parts in this fiscal year.
Fiscal Analysis:
There is a fiscal impact of up to $60,000 for the cost of two mowers. Staff has identified existing savings in 10-160-5202 (Property Maintenance & Beautification) of $40,000 to help offset this purchase. Staff is therefore requesting a supplemental appropriation in an amount not to exceed $20,000 to 10-160-5401 (Vehicles & Heavy Equipment) from existing General Fund reserves for the remaining purchase amount as this request was not in the original FY2023-24 budget.
Attachments:
1) Mower justification memo
2) Sourcewell Contract #031121-SCG
3) Sourcewell RFP
4) Sourcewell Pricing Information Contract #031121-SCG