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City to buy two single-arm refuse trucks instead of a dual-arm unit; landfill adopts punch-card system
Summary
Staff told council that single-arm refuse trucks cost about $450,000 and dual-arm about $480,000; council accepted staff’s recommendation to purchase two single-arm trucks (saving roughly $30,000) and discussed operational impacts. Staff also outlined a new landfill punch-card system to be mailed to residents; cards will not be replaceable if lost.
City staff updated the council on two operational items: refuse/recycling vehicle procurement and a new landfill punch-card system.
On fleet procurement, staff reported recent vendor pricing showing a single-arm collection truck at about $450,000 and a dual-arm at about $480,000. The fleet manager and public-works staff said single-arm trucks offer higher capacity, operational standardization and better value; staff recommended canceling the dual-arm order and procuring a second single-arm vehicle instead to save an estimated $30,000. "We would like to move forward with just buying canceling the dual arm and getting another single arm and save $30,000 in process," staff said. Council members asked about alley operations and staff replied crews may need to turn around in alleys or residents may be asked to place cans on one side where feasible.
On landfill administration, staff said punch cards will be mailed to every residential mailing address and will serve as the primary access tracker. Staff stated the cards are non-replaceable if lost and that the change aims to simplify administration and reduce confrontations at the scale house: "If you lose it, we're sorry. We can't replace it," staff said, adding the city will include the card in a welcome packet for new utility customers.
Council thanked staff for the evaluation and savings work and discussed outreach about route impacts and card distribution.
