Oakdale approves purchase of Perk rodent-control equipment, ends that contracted service
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Summary
Council authorized buying a Perk RC412 rodent‑control unit for parks to replace contracted chemical control, citing state restrictions on pesticides and projected multi‑year savings; staff said crews will be trained to run the machine.
Oakdale — The council approved the purchase of a pressurized exhaust rodent‑control unit (Perk RC412) for parks maintenance and voted to discontinue the contracted Perk service for that application.
Parks staff (Jeff Roberts) told the council California restrictions on chemical pesticides have limited available approaches and presented the Perk RC412 from H & M Gopher Control Manufacturing for $18,574.30 to be funded from the parks replacement fund. Roberts said the city spends roughly $31,000 a year on contracted pest control and buying the machine would be cost‑effective over five years.
Roberts described how staff would operate the machine and said it does not require operators to use specialized respirators for routine use. Councilmembers asked about exhaust gas lingering, field downtime after treatment and tunnel remediation. Roberts said following manufacturer directions keeps the method safe, that treated turf requires little or no extended closure and that crews will fill visible holes and maintain fields.
Council moved and approved the purchase 5‑0; staff said they will retain Clark for other weed‑abatement contracts but stop contracting Perk service for parks operations.