February 3, 2026
Public Works
DATE: February 3, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, Director of Public Works
Darin Fitzpatrick, Assistant Deputy Director of Public
Works – Operations & Maintenance
Subject:
Purchase with Jesse Mack Company and Sterling May
Equipment Company for Three (3) Fuel-Reduction
Mowing Units
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $269,747.62 expenditure is included within the approved Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Public Works
Operations and Maintenance budget (Account String:
50336031-400705-03D04).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Public Works Department performs city-wide
vegetation management, fuel-reduction, and defensible-
space maintenance along rights-of-way, hillside corridors, and critical infrastructure areas. Current operations rely heavily on manual brush-cutting and hand trimming on
steep slopes and uneven terrain, which exposes staff to significant safety risks, increases workers’ compensation exposure, and limits the total acreage that can be
maintained during peak fire season. To enhance safety,
efficiency, and sustainability, staff recommends
purchasing three (3) specialized slope-mowing units—
one (1) diesel-powered remote-control Green Climber
and two (2) electric-powered Raymo Torpedo mowers—
using a contract competitively solicited and awarded by Sourcewell contract #032525-GCL
AGENDA
REPORT
February 3, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE a purchase with Jesse
Mack Company and Sterling May Equipment Company
for the acquisition of one (1) Green Climber LV600
remote mower and two (2) Raymo Torpedo electric slope
mowers (including accessories and one spare battery) in an amount not-to-exceed $269,747.62 – Public Works
(Darin Fitzpatrick 510-231-3044/Daniel Chavarria 510-
620-5478).
DISCUSSION:
Operational Impact
These mechanized units will significantly improve field safety and productivity during fuel-reduction operations by reducing manual brush-cutting on steep slopes and hard- to-reach areas. Remote operation (Green Climber) and low-noise, zero-emission technology (Raymo) will:
Decrease exposure to heat, noise, and hillside hazards. Expand daily acreage capacity for defensible-space maintenance. Support staff morale and retention by replacing strenuous manual tasks with safer, more efficient tools.
Advance the City’s Zero-Emission Equipment (ZEE) goals and sustainability commitments.
Procurement
Following an evaluation of available procurement options, staff identified Jesse Mack Company and Sterling May Equipment Company as the most advantageous vendors for these purchases. Both vendors are authorized dealers under Sourcewell Contract No. 032525-GCL for slope-mowing and vegetation-management equipment. The City proposes to procure the equipment through piggyback procurement, pursuant to Richmond Municipal Code Section 2.52.320, utilizing a contract competitively solicited and awarded by Sourcewell, a public agency cooperative purchasing organization (Attachment 1).
In accordance with RMC Section 2.52.320, staff have independently reviewed the Sourcewell solicitation and resulting contract and determined that (Attachment 2):
The originating contract was competitively solicited by a public agency in a manner consistent with public procurement standards;
The scope, specifications, and pricing of the Sourcewell contract are suitable for the City’s intended use;
The contract remains active and in good standing;
Utilizing the existing contract is in the City’s best interest and will result in cost savings and administrative efficiency compared to conducting a separate solicitation.
February 3, 2026
City staff further evaluated the availability of comparable equipment and confirmed that no local vendors offer equivalent products that meet the City’s slope-safety, terrain- access, and zero-emission operational requirements. Based on this review, staff determined that the equipment available through the Sourcewell contract represents the most advantageous solution for the City.
Accordingly, City staff recommend proceeding with the proposed purchase through piggyback procurement under RMC Section 2.52.320.
Proposed Purchase:
The purchase includes the following (Attachments 3 and 4):
One (1) Green Climber LV600 remote-control tracked mower with flail heads, steel guard package, and shipping – $166,586.02 (Quote #887; Sourcewell Contract #032525-GCL)
Two (2) Raymo Torpedo 4WD electric slope mowers with 48" decks, 150Ah batteries, chargers, and AT wheel sets – $90,255.60 (Quote dated September 17, 2025; Sourcewell Contract #032525-GCL)
One (1) additional Raymo 150Ah battery cartridge (spare) – $12,906.00 (including tax)
Accordingly, it is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the purchase from Jesse Mack Company and Sterling May Equipment Company for the acquisition of one (1) Green Climber LV600 remote mower and two (2) Raymo Torpedo electric slope mowers, including accessories and one spare battery, in an amount not to exceed $269,747.62.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Piggyback Approval Form - Sourcewell 032525-GCL - Jesse Mack Company and Sterling May Equipment Company
Attachment 2 – Contract #032525-GCL (Green Climber of North America) Attachment 3 – Green Climber Quote #887 – Jesse Mack Company Attachment 4 – Raymo Quote – Sterling May Equipment Company Attachment 5 – Resolution - Jesse Mack Company and Sterling May Equipment Company