Requested Agenda Date:
4/1/2025
Requested Agenda Title:
Budget Adjustment: Flood Control Requests to Transfer $125,000 from the Surplus Canal Rehabilitation Project to Flood Control Engineering's Operating Budget for the Purchase of Two Remote-Operated Robotic Mowers
Requested Agenda Item Description: This budget adjustment transfers $125,000 from the Surplus Canal Rehabilitation Project to Flood Control Engineering's operating budget for the purchase of two remote-operated robotic mowers. These mowers will be used to perform required vegetation and woody brush removal along the 18 miles of steep banks of the Surplus Canal, as well as other Flood Control facilities.
These large heavy-duty mowers have a low center of gravity and a tracked design, allowing them to operate on slopes of up to 50 degrees. A District Worker position can operate this equipment, reducing labor demands, improving safety and working conditions, and lessen our reliance on more skilled Heavy Equipment Operators (HEOs).
A single operator with one remote-operated mower can replace a 7-person string-trimming crew. This enhances efficiency in maintaining difficult, steep, and hazardous areas, including roadsides, dam faces, retention ponds, and stream and canal banks, with fewer labor and equipment requirements.
This budget adjustment is budget neutral between Dept. 4600000600 and 4610000000.
Requested Action: Discussion - Vote Needed
Presenter(s) (with titles): Hoa Nguyen, Council Budget and Policy Analyst
Time Needed: Less than 5 MINS
Is this Item Time-Sensitive and/or Requesting a Time-Certain? No
Requesting Staff Member: Scott Baird, Public Works Director
Are Supporting Documents Needed for this Agenda Item Request? Yes