Item 22: Vegetation & Litter Control

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COSM_Admin

Administrator
Staff member
Consider approval of Resolution 2022-228R, approving a one-year State Use Contract with Easter Seals-Central Texas as certified through WorkQuest, a State purchasing cooperative, for vegetation and litter control, and landscape maintenance in the estimated amount of $1,305,959.10; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute this agreement on behalf of the City; and declaring an effective date.
 
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JHughson

CoSM Members
When we don't have much rain, the grass doesn't grow as fast, and there is less need to mow, are we getting any services to make up for the mowing that isn't needed for a time or two (or more) on the schedule?
More litter pickup perhaps?

Do they pick up litter in every area that is scheduled for mowing before they mow? I've seen some shredded litter after they have mowed where it would have been better to pick up the litter before mowing. I'm not sure the shredded litter was picked up.

I see $10,022.71 for Downtown Alleys.
Now that we will have more staff picking up litter in the downtown area, can we save any money on this contract by removing litter pickup from this contract?
Or at least consider that for next year, if we choose to continue the downtown cleanup staff?
Seems like we are paying double for the some of the same work.
What about the mowing and trimming? Do we still need Easter Seals to do that in downtown alleys? I've looked at the list of what the new downtown people will be doing and I can't tell if they are mowing and trimming alleys. Maybe not but the litter cleanup appears to be duplicated.

With an increase of $135,565.54 in this contract from last year for additional areas, it would be nice to save some on what we are paying staff to do. Their services are monthly. The downtown people will be weekly plus.
 
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COSM_Admin

Administrator
Staff member
The responses below were provided by Greg Carr, Director of Neighborhood Enhancement:

Mayor Hughson:
When we don't have much rain, the grass doesn't grow as fast, and there is less need to mow, are we getting any services to make up for the mowing that isn't needed for a time or two (or more) on the schedule?
More litter pickup perhaps?

This is a fluid contract throughout the year. For example, we did have them do less mows this year because of the dryer weather. We were able to use those savings to take care of additional properties that were acquired. We still had them edge the sidewalks so that properties looked maintained. We still budget for a full wet year. If there are any savings, that can go back to the revenue or general funds that contributed to the mowing budget. We are also able to work with the contractor to address a problem area as the need arises.


Do they pick up litter in every area that is scheduled for mowing before they mow? I've seen some shredded litter after they have mowed where it would have been better to pick up the litter before mowing. I'm not sure the shredded litter was picked up.

They are supposed to pick up letter before they mow. They supplement the state mowing I35 (8 cycles a year). The state contractor doesn’t pick up litter and you will usually see a mess after they come through. Our contract calls for two litter cleanups a month on I35. The contract also has them cleaning litter up outside of mowing.


I see $10,022.71 for Downtown Alleys.
Now that we will have more staff picking up litter in the downtown area, can we save any money on this contract by removing litter pickup from this contract?
Or at least consider that for next year, if we choose to continue the downtown cleanup staff?
Seems like we are paying double for the some of the same work.
What about the mowing and trimming? Do we still need Easter Seals to do that in downtown alleys? I've looked at the list of what the new downtown people will be doing and I can't tell if they are mowing and trimming alleys. Maybe not but the litter cleanup appears to be duplicated.

We can reassess as we continually do. The contract also calls for Easter Seals to run a street sweeper through the angled parking spaces very early in the morning before traffic comes in. Josie and Amy are continually adjusting how things work in the downtown.


With an increase of $135,565.54 in this contract from last year for additional areas, it would be nice to save some on what we are paying staff to do. Their services are monthly. The downtown people will be weekly plus.

Amy Thomaides in conjunction with the other departments does a good job pinching pennies and adjusting throughout the year. As we bring on new facilities, drainage easements, neighborhood parks, etc. we have to adjust to cover those. We have reviewed the current mow list and are removing items that should not be mowed by the city. We also work with the contractor to insure that they are working on the most needed parcels instead of just mowing on a schedule.

Multiple departments work on this contract to make sure that we are getting the best ROI as possible.
 

MBaker

Council Member
Is this the contract where we could ask for more trash/recycling receptacles between the river and downtown?
 

COSM_Admin

Administrator
Staff member
Response provided by Greg Carr, Director of Neighborhood Enhancement:

Is this the contract where we could ask for more trash/recycling receptacles between the river and downtown?

This is not the contract to do that. Resource Recovery is working with Main Street on getting more trash/recycle containers downtown. They will be purchased and installed in phases.

This contract is for servicing those containers. As new containers are installed, we will add them to the Easter Seals contract.
 
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