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Council reviews robotic-mower research for parks; staff to pursue demos and monitor costs
Summary
Staff presented research on robotic mowers for large fields; council discussed potential pilot sites, maintenance and programming needs, and asked staff to pursue demos and further information before making procurement decisions.
City staff presented findings on robotic mowers and larger-deck replacement mowers as part of long-term park-maintenance planning. Staff compared lifecycle costs, staffing impacts and use cases, noting robotic mowers can provide precise, frequent cuts but require programming, blade maintenance and battery replacement.
Staff suggested pilot programs on large outfields and ballfields where robotic mowers might improve turf quality and beautification but cautioned their limited runtime (roughly 1.5 hours before recharging) and the start-up programming time necessary for safe deployment. The memo included a 10-year projected operating cost for a model used by Sioux Falls and a separate quote (~$28,000) for a larger deck mower that could cover several acres more quickly.
Council members asked about maintenance, potential staff-time savings, grant opportunities, and whether demos could be arranged. Staff recommended keeping the option on the radar and pursuing demos and additional feedback from other communities before recommending capital outlay.
