Shelbyville to issue RFP for brush grinding and debris removal after change in state burning rules
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Summary
City staff will issue a request for proposals for brush grinding and debris removal after state rules curtailed burning of vegetative material with leaves, and the council authorized letting the RFP April 29.
City staff asked the Shelbyville City Council April 29 to authorize a request for proposals for brush grinding and debris removal services after state guidance limited open burning of vegetative material with leaves.
Purchasing Director Lori Sadler explained that changes to state enforcement mean the city can no longer burn brush with leaves attached at a central city burn pit and therefore needs a contracting option to grind and remove green waste. The proposed RFP would let the city set up on-call service for scheduled grinding, drop-off and storm-response operations and would be written to allow flexibility for higher-volume events; staff said the expense was budgeted in the current year.
Sadler said the procurement for an RFP must be approved by council under state law; the RFP would be modeled on a similar effort Spring Hill used and would be adapted to Shelbyville’s operating needs. The service could include mobile tub grinders and crane-equipped trucks that reduce the time to grind large volumes of brush compared with in-house options. Staff noted the city could consider purchasing a tub grinder, but that acquisition costs commonly approach $600,000, making contracting more practical for near-term needs.
Council members asked operational questions about resident drop-off, allowable material and whether burned trunks without leaves remain acceptable. Staff confirmed residents may continue to bring properly prepared brush but that material containing trash or other contaminants will not be accepted. The RFP will be drafted, released and brought back to council when proposals are evaluated and a contract is recommended.
Ending: The council authorized staff to issue the RFP; staff will return with evaluation and a contract recommendation. The contract is intended to be multi-year and provide on-call and storm-response grinding capacity to meet state requirements and to keep the city’s burn pit and collection operations functioning.
