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CITY OF CORTEZ
123 ROGER SMITH AVENUE
CORTEZ, CO 81321 |
Creighton Wright
Director of Parks and Recreation
425 Roger Smith Ave
Cortez, CO. 81321
cwright@cortezco.gov
Memorandum
To:
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CORTEZ CITY COUNCIL
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From:
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CREIGHTON WRIGHT, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION |
Date:
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June 11, 2024
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RE:
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Weed Control and Herbicide Application Bid
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| DISCUSSION |
The Weed Control and Herbicide Application Proposal Form allows the contractors to identify the areas and the application type. It also includes the labor and equipment rates that will be locked in for the one-year term of the contract. Finally, the herbicide chemicals that the vendors use are identified on the form but not included in the agreement, as the chemicals' availability and cost vary widely. Proposal summaries from each contractor follow:
Herbicide Application Proposal Summary
| Contractor |
JB Contracting |
Bonfire Weed Management |
| Locations |
Airport
Parks and Open Space
Golf Course
Public Works/Street Right of Ways |
Airport
Public Works/Street Right of Ways |
| Application Type |
Post-emergent, ground sterilant
Post-emergent, non-selective
Post-emergent, selective in turf
Pre-emergent |
Post-emergent, ground sterilant
Post-emergent, non-selective
Post-emergent, selective
Pre-emergent |
| Labor and Equipment Cost (Hourly) |
$105 |
$105 |
One contractor wants to be considered for all areas and application types, while the other is more limited. The hourly cost is the same for each vendor.
Both contractors suggested we develop a more strategic approach to weed control, developing an annual plan focused on specific objectives. Later in the year, we will likely have the contractors help us conduct a weed assessment and create a plan that can be used to aid the bid process next year. |
| BACKGROUND |
The City of Cortez controls weeds through herbicide applications to preserve and maintain safety, aesthetics, and infrastructure. Public Works, Parks and Recreation—Parks, Golf, and the Airport all need herbicide applications. While we apply some herbicides ourselves, we look to contractors for their expertise in specialty and wide-area treatments.
The scope of services includes weed control through herbicides utilizing the best management practices and integrated pest management techniques. The City Departments have spent $15,000 – 20,000 on weed control services annually in the last several years. While City Departments will designate specific task orders through a work request, traditionally, the departments have conducted the following herbicide weed control annually:
- Public Works – Generally, in the spring or early summer – post-emergent and pre-emergent, ground sterilant services in and around City right-of-ways, curbs, gutter, and sidewalks.
- Golf Course - In early to mid-summer, apply broadleaf post-emergent treatment to unsightly broadleaf plants that detract from a homogenous stand of turfgrass in approximately 100 acres of the golf course tee-boxes, fairways, and greens.
- Airport - Spring through summer, pre and post-emergent treatment, and as needed.
- Runway and taxiway edges, safety areas, helipads, and t-hangars
- Terminal and Fixed Based Operator Parking lots
- Fuel Farm and access road
- Perimeter road as needed
- Parks and Recreation
- From late spring through fall, the department may apply broadleaf post-emergent treatment to unsightly broadleaf plants that detract from a homogenous turfgrass stand in various sports fields within City Parks.
- When appropriate for the best control, apply targeted weed control (mostly post-emergent non-selective) applications for state-identified Class A, Class B, and other unattractive weed species in undeveloped areas, gravel parking lots, along trails, and natural open spaces.
- While not a recent trend, the Parks and Recreation Department is interested in an annual pre-emergent treatment in high-profile, visible locations to prevent weed seed germination.
The City has used the same herbicide contractor for years, renewing each year with the same terms and costs. The previous contractor could not continue the contract this year, so we rebid it.
When the new bid packet was initially advertised, we identified the type of weed control work we have historically completed but not the exact work planned for this year, as it changes annually, seasonally, and monthly. City staff issued an addendum clarifying the contract method, which locks in the equipment and labor rates through the contract, allowing the City staff and contractor to determine exact task orders for specific weed control projects. The other significant cost is chemical cost, which is not locked in because the chemical cost and availability vary widely, so locking in the cost for more than 30 days is impossible.
This method has many advantages. It allows for a pre-qualified short list of contractors from which the City can obtain proposals on a task-order basis. This approach allows for flexibility and adjustment as needs change throughout the season. It also provides for more specific and accurate task cost and management. We can award the contract based on the type of work, the cost, or the responsiveness; all factors can be weighed.
We received two bid proposals for this bid. Each proposer needed to clarify some information to award them to the shortlist. The final proposal received from each contractor is attached for review. |
| FISCAL IMPACT |
| Weed control is included in the operational budgets for each work area, including Airport, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation. |
| RECOMMENDATION |
| Staff recommends that the Council award the Weed Control and Herbicide Application Bid to Bonnie Anderson, Bonfire Weed Management LLC, and Joe Bruner, DBA JB Contracting, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement with the contractors. |
| MOTION |
If agreed upon by the City Council, a possible motion would be:
I move that Council to award the Weed Control and Herbicide Application Bid to Bonnie Anderson, Bonfire Weed Management LLC, and Joe Bruner, DBA JB Contracting, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement with the contractors. |
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