HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 16 - City Hall Water Solution memo
MAYOR & COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
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DATE: April 7, 2015
REGULAR ITEM # 16 AGENDA ITEM: Discussion of City Hall Water Dispensing Solution SUBMITTED BY: Adam Bell, City Clerk/Assistant City Administrator THROUGH: Dean Zuleger, City Administrator REVIEWED BY: Jill Lundgren, Council Member
Beckie Gumatz, Deputy Clerk
SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS:
- Introduction of Item ............................................................................ City Clerk
- Questions from Council to Staff………………………………Mayor Facilitates
- Call for Motion ............................................................... Mayor & City Council
- Discussion ....................................................................... Mayor & City Council
- Action on Motion .................................................................... Mayor Facilitates POLICY RECOMMENDER: Council Member Lundgren
FISCAL IMPACT: Based on current water consumption rates, the multiple options have the
following costs:
Option 1 – Carbon Filter System: Installation cost of $150+; Filter lease costs: $38.48 per month/$461.70 per year.
Option 2 – Water Cooler: One-time equipment purchase of $100-$150; Water costs: $5.49 per month/$65.88 per year.
Option 3 – Individual Bottles: Water costs: $12.76 per month/$153.12 per year.
SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED: It is respectfully requested that the City Council approve one of the following options by making the following motions or a combination thereof:
OPTION 1: “Move to approve the practice of providing drinking water for City Hall by means of purchasing and installing a water filtration system.”
OPTION 2: “Move to approve the practice of providing drinking water for City Hall Water by means of purchasing and installing a water cooler system.”
OPTION 3: “Move to approve the practice of providing drinking water for City Hall meetings by
means of individual water bottles.”
BACKGROUND INFORMATION (SWOT): Due to complaints about the quality and taste of water obtained from the current City Hall water, the City currently provides drinking water for all public meetings as well as for visitors and staff. The current method of providing drinking water is using disposable individual plastic water bottles.
Providing clean and safe drinking water is a minimal expense with tremendous health benefits. The water currently provided is the least expensive purified water easily available.
Council Member Lundgren asked staff to look into alternative options for providing drinking water that would have a lesser impact on the environment and reduce the amount of waste produced by the
City Council Meeting [Regular Agenda Item 16] April 7, 2015
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use of disposable water bottles. Staff currently recycles all plastic, paper, and metal goods, including
the plastic water bottles, on a bi-monthly basis as part of its solid waste disposal.
The current method of providing drinking water via disposable bottles goes back to at least 2012. For some time, staff has been researching alternative methods to the bottles and has implemented providing drinking water by means of a water cooler with replaceable 3-5 gallon bottles in the North Building location. Because the City leases space in the facility, installing a water filtration system is
not a feasible option at this time.
Option 1 – Carbon Filter System: Strengths Nearly endless supply of drinking water. Most environmentally friendly solution – nothing to recycle or waste. Can replace current drinking fountain that is rarely
used. Option would be the strongest move towards being a more ecological government – one that is concerned about the environment. Weaknesses Highest cost for providing water based on current consumption, but lowest cost per gallon with higher consumption. Requires equipment lease. Option 1 expenses were
not budgeted for in 2015. Space and water source requirements limit placement of dispenser. Need to provide some form of beverage container to drink from. Containers for guests pose a potential source of waste, but paper cups, if used, can be recycled. Requires cleaning.
Option 2 – Water Cooler: Strengths Most economic option for providing water. Lowest cost per gallon
based on current water consumption. City Hall guests would have easier access to water. No individual bottles to recycle. No installation required. Can be placed almost anywhere and moved if needed. Option would be a move towards being a more ecological government in reducing the
need of plastic recycling.
Weaknesses Requires initial investment of cooler equipment or lease. Bottles must be replaced periodically. Replacement bottles must be procured or refilled. User needs some form of beverage container to drink from. Containers for guests pose a potential source of waste, but paper cups, if used, can be recycled. Requires cleaning.
Option 3 – Individual Bottles: Strengths Most convenient, portable, and sanitary option. Relatively low cost. Current costs budgeted for in 2015. No installation required. Weaknesses Not as convenient to provide self-service water for City Hall guests as
dispensing system. Least environmentally friendly solution. Often partially drank bottles are left in room after meetings. Bottles are often thrown in the trash instead of being recycled. Staff is required to frequently purchase the bottles. Harmful Bisphenol (BPA, BPS) chemicals can be released into water from polycarbonate (PCB) bottles. Opportunities Additional recycling receptacles would increase recycling rate.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff respectfully recommends that the City Council approve one of the following options by making the following motions:
OPTION 1: “Move to approve the practice of providing drinking water for City Hall by means of
purchasing and installing a water filtration system.”
OPTION 2: “Move to approve the practice of providing drinking water for City Hall Water by means of purchasing and installing a water cooler system.”
OPTION 3: “Move to approve the practice of providing drinking water for City Hall meetings by means of individual water bottles.”