As Council is aware, the City's Public Works Department collects yard debris as a service for the residents of New Port Richey. The yard debris is collected and transported to a City owned property located at 6420 Pine Hill Road. The processing and storage of the debris is regulated through a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Yard Vegetation Transfer Site Permit. Once the debris is dropped off at the site, it is pushed up into a pile until grinding of the debris is scheduled. The grinding process occurs about every six months depending on collection frequency, amount collected, and storage site capacity. Once the grinding of the material is completed it is made available back to the residents to be used for compost in gardens and flower beds at no charge. Through the years, staff has performed cost comparisons between purchasing equipment to perform the grinding in-house or continuing the existing contractual service for this type of activity. The results continue to demonstrate that contractual service agreements are more financially responsible than the purchasing of the equipment for the amount of usage the City historically performs this type of activity.
The existing contract dated January 21, 2015 contains an agreement term section stating the City reserves the right to extend the agreement/contract for a one year renewal option subsequent to the original contract term that will expire as of January 20, 2018. This renewal can be granted if the contractor and the City agree in writing to exercise this option and the funds are available. Subsequent to discussions between the contractor and Public Works staff, it has been agreed that existing terms, conditions, and pricing in the 2015 agreement of $525 an hour shall remain the same should City Council approve the one year renewal options. The annual totals for contract is $25,000.