TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: MELISSA VOLLARO, HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR
DATE: JUNE 25, 2024
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH COMPUMERIC ENGINEERING, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF BEAR-RESISTANT TRASH RECEPTACLES FOR THE CLAREMONT HILLS WILDERNESS PARK (FUNDING SOURCE: RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY GRANT)
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SUMMARY
In 2023, the City of Claremont was awarded a grant through the San Gabriel Valley Rivers and Mountains Conservancy to assist in wildfire prevention efforts within the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park (CHWP) and adjacent wildland/urban interface areas. One method of decreasing the likelihood of wildfire is by providing bear-resistant trash receptacles for visitors within the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. Bear-resistant trash receptacles are needed to reduce the likelihood of a wildfire-related event caused by trash receptacles that are unable to be properly secured to prevent the scattering of litter and waste throughout the CHWP.
Bears and various other wildlife species have been known to search through the current trash receptacles within the CHWP often scattering trash and waste around the immediate area. During times of high heat and low humidity, the probability of wildfire is heightened and can be started by fragments of glass and metal which can reflect concentrated sunlight on a focused area.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase agreement with Compumeric Engineering, Inc. for the purchase of thirty bear-resistant trash receptacles in the amount of $58,127.71 for the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information from staff.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The cost to purchase thirty bear-resistant trash receptacles for the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park, which includes equipment, delivery, and sales tax, is $58,127.71. A copy of the quote from BearSaver, A Compumeric Company, Inc., is included as an attachment to this report.
This purchase utilizes a California Multiple Award Schedules (CMAS) contract that does not require bidding and complies with all City purchasing guidelines. Contract documents are available for review in the City Clerk's office.
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer this project is estimated at $786 and is included in the operating budget of the Recreation and Human Services Department.
ANALYSIS
The City continues to progress in making the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park (CHWP) and surrounding areas more wildfire-resilient through continued actions and improvements aimed at keeping the likelihood of wildfire at a reduced risk to the community. The current trash receptacles located throughout the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park are 55-gallon metal trash cans which make trash and waste easily accessible to bears and various other forms of wildlife. During the past several years, staff have observed an increase in bear activity in and around the CHWP as evidenced by the tipping of trash receptacles and spreading of waste within the vicinity of the waste cans. Animals such as birds and small mammals often scrounge the overturned waste containers and carry off pieces of trash and waste to other areas of the CHWP.
The CHWP Master Plan, adopted in May 2016, called for the addition of closed-top and wildlife-resistant trash receptacles that are less prone to wildlife interactions which spread waste such as metals and glass and can ignite a fire in high heat/low humidity conditions, especially during red flag warnings issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service (NWS).
The proposed receptacles are heavily utilized throughout the country in state and national park facilities and will be familiar to many users. Furthermore, these receptacles feature three bays (landfill, recycle, and organics) to increase sustainability, reduce dependency on landfills, and comply with SB 1383, which mandates organics collection. By making waste and litter less accessible to wildlife, the threat of wildfire to the CHWP and adjacent areas will be greatly reduced. The number of receptacles available to the public will nearly double from the existing 16 receptacles, with new receptacles being placed in areas such as Evey Canyon where receptacles are currently not found. Staff anticipates this program will lead to increased compliance from visitors and an overall reduction in litter.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney reviewed and approved the agreement as to form.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it relates to the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park Master Plan.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Melissa Vollaro Ashley Dembiczak
Human Services Director Human Services Supervisor
Attachment:
BearSaver Quote