HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 7/9/2019 - Memorandum From Jason Komes Re: June 4, 2019 Staff Report Follow Up: Municipal Lawn And Garden Equipment Replacement ProgramEnvironmental Services
222 Laporte Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-221-6600
fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 3, 2019
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Jackie Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
Lucinda Smith, Environmental Services Director
Cassie Archuleta, Air Quality Program Manager
FROM: Jason Komes, Air Quality Specialist
CC: Mike Brunkhardt, Parks Supervisor
RE: June 4, 2019 Staff Report Follow-up—Municipal Lawn and Garden Equipment
Replacement Program
The purpose of this memorandum is to respond to comments raised following the June 4, 2019 staff
report to Council regarding the municipal lawn and garden equipment replacement program, and
specifically associated with public and commercial sector engagement, opportunities with local low- to
zero-emission landscape maintenance firms, and clarifying the City’s equipment decommissioning
processes.
Bottom Line
To date, the City’s work to support transitions to lower emission or electric commercial lawn and garden
equipment has focused on demonstrating feasibility for municipal operations and investing in equipment
turnover. Equipment that is replaced is salvaged, recycled or auctioned, depending on condition. Next
steps will include continuation of the lawn and garden fleet turnover, exploring equipment
decommissioning options, and integrating business and industry engagement as well as options for City
vendors and contractors.
Background
The City’s residential and municipal Lawn and Garden programs support community and municipal
sustainability objectives such as reductions in ozone causing emissions, and reductions in greenhouse
gas emissions. The City has been leading by example and vetting feasibility of new commercial grade
electric lawn and garden equipment in order to engage and encourage other businesses and industry.
Staff presented a report on the progress of the programs to Council on June 4, 2019.
For the municipal program, the City maintains a large commercial lawn and garden equipment fleet and
is transitioning from gas-powered equipment to lower emission or electric alternatives. Equipment is
replaced through attrition, or as resources allow. Since 2016, the City has invested $205K toward
equipment replacement, including $35K in grants from the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC). For
2019/2020, $60K is budgeted for the program including $20K in RAQC grant funds.
Regarding City-owned equipment replacement procedures, there is currently no formal City-wide or
departmental policy for decommissioning used small-engine, gas-powered equipment. Parks maintains
discretion on whether the used equipment can be salvaged for parts to repair other damaged equipment,
recycled, or auctioned.
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For the residential program, the City engages the public through the City’s annual electric lawn and
garden rebates. This program offers rebates for the purchase of new electric equipment, and for recycling
gas-powered equipment. This program is currently funded at $6K per year and ends July 31 or when
funds are depleted.
Next Steps
Next steps for the City’s lawn and garden programs include:
Assembling a list of gas-powered equipment that has been recycled, auctioned or otherwise put
out of service.
Exploration of engagement opportunities with commercial landscapers and the general public,
such as an electric equipment demo day and/or promoting City maintained low- to zero-emission
landscaping zones.
Collaboration between Parks, Environmental Services and Purchasing departments to consider
development of a low- to zero-emission landscape maintenance Request for Proposal (RFP) for
a defined area or type of City property. While viable options for low- to zero-emission landscaping
contractors are believed to be limited, the City’s RFP process may help reinforce the market
opportunity for this type of service.
Evaluation of equipment decommissioning practices and development and consideration of an
internal policy that defines and prioritizes the highest and best uses of used, small-engine type
equipment including appropriate methods of disposal for lawn and garden equipment once it is
deemed surplus City property.
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