City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: December 9, 2025
Agenda Item: 4.D
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Valte, Public Works Director, Public Works, Fleet Services Subject: Authorization for the Purchase Manager to Issue a Purchase Order to Purchase Rear Loader Truck for the Resource Recovery and Recycling Division
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines; and
2. Authorize the Procurement Manager to issue a purchase order with Los Angeles Truck Centers, LLC for one Battle Motors Inc. LET2-40 Rear Loader for the Public Works Department. This recommended award is made as an exception to the competitive bidding process pursuant to Section 2.24.250 (c) and is for a total amount not to exceed $528,136, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
Summary
The City of Santa Monica’s (City) Public Works Department provides essential services that maintain clean and safe neighborhoods and open spaces for Santa Monica’s residents, visitors, and City staff. To ensure reliable operations, provide uninterrupted services to the community, reduce downtime and maintenance costs, and comply with California Air Resources Board (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) regulations, staff recommends purchasing one Battle Motors Inc. (manufacturer) LET2-40 Rear Loader truck. This recommendation is based on competitive contract pricing available to governmental agencies and serves as an exception to competitive bidding per Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) Section 2.24.250(c).
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Discussion
The Fleet Management Division is responsible for ensuring that the City’s diverse fleet of over 800 vehicles is available, dependable, meets the highest environmental standards for a sustainable fleet, and is safe to operate from acquisition through disposal. To support the expansion of the City’s bulky item collection program and to maintain compliance with California Air Resources Board (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) regulations, staff recommends the purchase of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered Battle Motors Rear Loader for the Resource Recovery and Recycling Division. This specialized vehicle would be used to collect large, discarded items such as furniture, appliances, and mattresses, which are frequently found abandoned on City streets and in alleyways.
The need for this acquisition is directly tied to the rate study adopted by Council on June 13, 2023, via Resolution 11531, which included provisions to proactively address the growing issue of bulky item accumulation in public spaces. As part of the program expansion, Council approved additional staffing resources and the creation of new collection routes. The addition of this rear-loader truck is essential to operationalize those routes and meet the increased service demand.
Bulky item and illegal dumping complaints consistently rank among the highest categories of service requests received through the City’s 311 system. The volume of these calls places a significant strain on customer service operations and, when unresolved, often escalates to the City Manager’s office. Timely and efficient response to these requests is critical to maintaining public trust and neighborhood cleanliness.
The proposed vehicle would not only enhance the City’s ability to respond to bulky item issues but will also align with sustainability goals by utilizing CNG, reducing emissions and supporting cleaner fleet operations. Staff is requesting approval to purchase the vehicle for a total amount not to exceed $528,136 including a 10% contingency.
Failure to approve the purchase of the additional rear-load truck would significantly hinder the Resource Recovery and Recycling Division’s ability to deliver on the 3 of 4
expanded bulky item collection program promised to both Council and the community during the rate study. Without this critical equipment, the division will be unable to proactively address bulky item accumulation. As a result, bulky item and illegal dumping complaints would continue to dominate 311 service requests citywide, placing ongoing strain on customer service operations and increasing the likelihood of escalations to executive staff. This outcome would undermine public expectations and compromise the City’s commitment to cleaner neighborhoods and responsive service delivery.
Vendor Selection
Exception to Competitive Bidding
Staff recommends Los Angeles Truck Centers to furnish and deliver one CNG Rear Loader as an exception to competitive bidding per the Procurement Approved ECB #332 per Municipal Code 2.24.250 (c).
c. Competitive procedures were followed by a governmental agency, federal, state, county, city, joint powers agency, special district, or cooperative purchasing agency and the goods or services are supplied to the City at the same or better price.
Environmental Review
The purchase order for the rear loader truck is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” The purchase order will continue to support existing City services. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the agreement would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such is exempt from CEQA.
Past Council Actions
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Meeting Date Description
June 13, 2023 Public Hearing and Adoption of Solid Waste Rate Resolution Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the Vehicle Management Fund to award a purchase order with Los Angeles Truck Centers, LLC, for one Battle Motors LET2-40 Rear Loader truck from Los Angeles Truck Centers, LLC, to support the operational needs for the Resource, Recovery and Recycling Division. Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Purchase Order
FY 2025-26
Request Amount CIP Account # Total ContractAmount
$528,136 C7000010.689000.90535 $528,136
Prepared By: Ernest Kwong, Senior Administrative Analyst Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. June 13, 2023 Staff Report (Web Link)
B. LA Truck Centers_Oaks_9.4.25
C. LA Truck Centers_LevineAct_9.4.25
D. Sourcewell - Battle Motors Contract 032824
E. Resolution 11531 - Approved 2023-2028 Solid Waste Rates