City unveils interactive GIS tool and RFP to better manage mowing and refuse contracts

City staff demonstrated a new GIS-based interactive map and a linked spreadsheet that identifies about 160 city properties, easements and rights-of-way to be included in RFP 26-02 for mowing and refuse removal. The tool lets vendors hover over mapped parcels to view acreage, required cycles and service descriptions intended to make bidding more transparent and accurate.

"This tool is intended to improve transparency, assist vendors in preparing accurate bids, and enhance the city's ability to evaluate service coverage and costs," staff said. Staff outlined the procurement timeline: questions due May 8 by 5 p.m., a pre-bid meeting on April 22 at 4 p.m., and bid opening on May 21 at 2 p.m. Staff also said the city will post the RFP on its website and use a vendor portal (Public Purchase) to notify registered vendors; unit pricing from the RFP will be used to inform FY2027–29 budgeting decisions.

Council asked about whether small or local firms can bid on individual lots and how the city will monitor performance; staff said areas will be bundled practically to avoid administratively managing too many vendors, and that contractors will submit before-and-after photos with invoices for city verification.