Committee approves purchase of 15 dog-waste stations after budgeted pilot

The Arts and Recreation Committee recommended that the board approve buying 15 combined dog-waste-and-trash stations after debating a smaller purchase and locations. Committee members discussed a $5,000 line in the budget for replacements and said the initial estimate would cover existing park needs.

Committee staff member Vicky said staff identified about 11 units needed across the parks and that a vendor the city has used before quoted a bulk price; staff estimated the price for 10 units at a little less than $2,600. “Our recommendation would be moving forward with purchasing 10 of these units,” Vicky said, and noted the donated unit the city already has was nearly identical to the proposed model.

Members discussed where to place the units if the purchase is approved. Staff proposed two at Fenton City Park, two at Fabick Nature Preserve (one upper, one lower), and additional units for the Greenway and other city parks; the committee also noted the future Budweil annex and other newly developed sites will need stations. Committee members argued for ordering extra units now to take advantage of volume discounts and to have spares for immediate replacement.

After discussion the committee moved to increase the purchase from 10 to 15 units to cover replacements and future needs; the motion passed on a voice vote. Committee minutes show the motion to expand the order to 15 passed with members responding “Aye.”

The committee did not specify exact installation locations for all 15 units; staff said locations would be finalized before the board agenda item and that replacement bag rolls and maintenance would be handled from existing park operating funds.