HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - January 18, 1995 (85)of CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Specifications and Advertisement for Bids for Turf Fertilizer for the Parks Department
MEETING DATE: January 18, 1995
PREPARED BY: Parks and Recreation Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council approve specifications and advertisement for bids for
turf fertilizer for the Parks Department.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Council voted 3-2 not to support/approve purchase of fertilizer
at the Council meeting of January 4, 1995. The basis of the
rejection of specifications was for two reasons: 1) could mulch from
California Waste Removal Systems act as fertilizer? and 2) would
money be saved by purchasing fertilizer in bulk?
I have asked Parks Supervisor Frank Pepper to respond to each of these questions (Exhibit A). Supervisor
Pepper has experimented using various fertilizers and it is his recommendation that I request 50 pound bags
of Turf Gold. This fertilizer is available through local suppliers and through various wholesalers. This means
the fertilizer specified is not so specialized that we would be skewing our purchase towards any one supplier.
I totally agree with Mr. Pepper's recommendations and support our original request. I was not present when
action was taken on this item at the last Council meeting, however, I appreciate having the opportunity to
address each of these questions.
My recommendation is to purchase bagged fertilizer. However, I am asking that suppliers give us a per ton
cost of bulk fertilizer. I also need to find out if suppliers can provide the storage bins to meet our scheduled
times for applying fertilizer. On the surface, this seems a matter of scheduling our labor and the suppliers
equipment. I am aware that farmers are able to make this work. Once I have the numbers to work with, I will
make a decision and recommendation. So far, the suppliers we have contacted are not recommending bulk
fertilizer because of the number of park sites involved. I have contacted five other cities and no one contacted
is using bulk fertilizer. I have no problem in being the first if the cost savings are real (see attached report on
bulk vs. bagged fertilizer Exhibit B).
Regarding using California Waste mulch as fertilizer, I have attached a cost comparison based on providing
one pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. This is the amount we have been able to use because
we are using stow release fertilizer.
1's
APPROVED. -----1)r0
THOMAS A. PETERSON recycled paper
City Manager
Specifications and Advertisement for Bids for Turf Fertilizer for the Parks Department cc -1
January 18, 1995
Page 2
Based on this rate, we would be using two tons of mulch per acre_ California Waste tells me farmers are using
a rate of 10 tons per acre. If we were to apply mulch at this rate, the cost would be in excess of $40,000. Our
current budget is $10,000. 1 do not recommend using mulch as fertilizer.
FUNDING: 1994/95 Parks Division Budget
C2 �.
Ron Williamson, Parks and Recreation Director
Prepared by Scott Essin, Parks Superintendent
RW:SE:sr
MEMORANDUM, City of Lodi, Parks and Recreation Department EXHqIT A
To: Scott Essin, Parks Superintendent
From: Frank Pepper, Park Supervisor
Date: January 10. 1995
Subject: Fertilizer Report, Bulk, Bag or Mulch
This is the information that you requested at our Bi -weekly staff meeting we had
on January 06, 1995 about the use of mulch as a fertilizer and bags verses bulk.
People accept the fact that they must mow and water to maintain the health of
their lawn. But some may question the need for fertilizer. They shouldn't. Lawn
grasses live in an unnatural environment. The grass plants are crowded together and
compete with each other, along with neighboring trees and shrubs, for water and
nutrients. They are mowed regularly, which is highly irregular in nature, and their
clippings, a source of nutrients, are often removed. In our case the clippings are left
to return to the soil.
Because of this competition and the unnatural demands placed on our lawns,
they must be fertilized. Just as a balanced diet works best for people and animals, the
same is true for lawns, they need fertilizer for sustenance. When PROPERLY fertilized,
a lawn maintains good color, density, and vigor, and does not easily succumb to
insects, weeds, or diseases. When underfertilized, the lawn is not only less attractive,
but also considerably more susceptible to environmental stress and damage.
It has been brought to my attention that maybe we could use mulch as a
fertilizer. First of all mulch is not a fertilizer. Mulch is mainly used for soil amendment
and conservation of water when placed over the ground occupied by a plant's roots.
It will keep the soil beneath cool and moist longer than soil that would be exposed to
hot sun and drying wind.
Depending on what the mulch is made of (compost, sewage sludge, animal
manures, ground bark, leaves, sawdust, straw, drape or apple pomace, cottonseed
hulls and rice hulls), it should be checked to see what the carbon to nitrogen ratio is.
If a mulch residue containing much more carbon than nitrogen is added to the soil,
decay microorganisms will grow and proliferate by using the carbon compounds as an
energy source. Since the residue is proportionally low in nitrogen, the microorganism
will draw nitrogen out of the soil reservoir, which escapes into the atmosphere,
depleting the supply available for the growth of the lawn. If any material with a ratio
higher than about 10:1 is used as a soil amendment, nitrogen fertilizer should be added
to the soil in compensation.
Subject: Fertilizer Report: Bulk, Bag or Mulch
January 10, 1995
Page 2
If mulch was applied to a lawn as fertilizer, you would have to contend with
how long will it take different kinds of mulch to decompose. Because of a low
percentage of nitrogen, it is necessary to apply a much greater quantity at one time.
There may also be an unpleasant smell and could be a health hazard. This can't be
tilled into an established lawn. California Waste mulch product contains 1 % nitrogen.
Some additional cautions about use of animal and human wastes are necessary.
These materials can contain pathogenic bacteria, thus consituting a human health
hazard. Another danger present with the use of sewage sludge is the accumulation
of toxic heavy metals which can damage the soil irreparably.
Then there is the question of buying our fertilizer in bulk or bags. Bags are the
easiest for us to handle and are also sealed from moisture. We can calculate the
number of bags that it requires for each park, load them on a truck and do not have
to make many trips back to the yard. With bag fertilizer one person can do this job.
We also keep 1 or 2 tons on hand to redo the football field and infields on baseball
fields through out the year. Being in sealed bags keeps the moisture out while being
stored.
With bulk fertilizer we would have to place holding bins in strategic locations
around the city or place them in our maintenance yard. If placed around the city this
could cause a problem with vandalism or someone getting hurt. We can not always
fertilize our park in a timely matter, we do them as time permits taking into
consideration the watering and mowing schedule. Another problem would be moisture
if it had to sit too long before it was applied. There could also be a problem with theft
if left sitting out in parks. We would also need a scale to weigh what we need in each
park. I do not see how we could accurately measure this without a scale of some
type.
Nitrogen is frequently a limiting factor in the growth of turfgrasses, and its
application will produce a dramatic improvement in the growth and appearance of the
grass. Thus nitrogen level is the most important factor to keep in mind when
developing a fertilizer program for turf; levels of the other fertilizer elements are usually
not critical. Turf management for fertility becomes, in essence, nitrogen management.
There are two general types of nitrogen fertilizers; soluble and slow release.
Subject: Fertilizer Report: Bulk, Bag or Mulch
January 10, 1995
Page 3
Soluble, or "fast -release," formulations dissolve quickly in water and become
available to roots immediately. Thus a greening effect can soon be noted in the turf.
However, much of the applied soluble nitrogen is leached from the soil before it can
be utilized by the turf. Thus much is wasted, and application is usually repeated
several times per year. Great caution must be used in applying soluble fertilizers lest
the turf area be "burned." This occurs when too much material is used; the salt
concentration in the soil solution becomes so high that water is drawn out of the turf,
leading to wilting and death of the tissue.
On the other hand slow-release materials provide a continuous supply of usable
nitrogen to turf over a long period of time. This is due to the fact that such materials
are slowly soluble or only gradually degraded by chemical and microbial action in the
soil into forms of nitrogen usable by the turf. Slow-release fertilizers are manufactured
by coating the materials with plastic or other membranes that impede the dissolving
of the nitrogen in the soil solution. For example, SCU, or sulfur -coated urea, is made
with coatings of differing thickness, which provide differing rates of release. When
moistened, as in normal watering, some of the fertilizer diffuses through its coating
into the surrounding soil, a little bit with each watering until the encapsulated fertilizer
is used up. Some products are effective for 3 to 4 months, others for 8 or more
months.
In the long run, and dollar for dollar, the best decision would be to use the slow-
release fertilizer in bags. If the Best Turf Gold is too much for them to handle, maybe
we could get a comparable mix. With the different fertilizers I have tried over the
years the Best Turf Gold 21-3-5 has proven to last the longest for this price range.
Since we only fertilize once a year I think this is the best way to go.
Fertilizer Bulk vs. Bag Price Savings Report
I contacted two local suppliers as follows:
San Joaquin Sulpher - Can provide bulk fertilizer with a 25 ton minimum order. Since our order is
for 18 tons, we do not meet this minimum order. This means that if we go with bulk, San Joaquin
Sulpher will not be able to bid. If we go with bagged fertilizer, they can bid.
Simplot - Can provide bins and will provide bulk bid for 18 tons of fertilizer, however, there would
be no price savings due to the extra work they would have in delivering bins and picking them up.
Simplot also can provide fertilizer spreaders designed to be used with their bins (see attached
pictures).
We are ordering 18 tons of fertilizer. Both suppliers said a savings would occur at 25 tons Bins
hold 3 %2 tons and spreaders hold 1 ton of fertilizer. San Joaquin Sulpher can not provide containers.
We would need our own. They would then offer a cost savings of $35 a ton. We would then need
to store the entire amount of bulk fertilizer
Bottom line is we are not buying enough fertilizer to justify using bulk. Still, I am sure the Council
will be most convinced by including an option for bulk fertilizer that requires bins be provided.
I have therefore added bulk fertilizer as an option to determine through the bid process if any savings
emerge.
MULCH AS TURF FERTILIZER
1. 378 TONS TURF FERTILIZER.
Cost per ton: ---------------------------------
$28.00
x tons -----------------------------------------
$10,584.00
(a)
+ Calif Sales Tax. --------------------------
$793.80
(b)
= TOTAL COST ----------------------------
$11,377.80
(c)
2. ACRES OF COVERAGE PER TON (BASED ON AN APPLICATION
RATE OF ONE POUND OF ACTUAL NITROGEN PER 1,000 SQ.
FEET)-----------------------------------------------------------------------
0.46
ACRES
3. COST PER ACRE: Total Cost (line 1 - c) ---------------------
$11,377.80
Divided by 378 tons
= total cost per ton -----------------------
$30.10
Divided by 0.46 acres per
ton (from line 2)
= COST PER ACRE: ---------------------- $65.43
Based on 1 % Nitrogen
43,560 SQ. FEET PER ACRE. 2000 POUNDS PER TON.
X 100 POUNDS PER 1000 SQ. FEET.
4356.00 POUNDS PER ACRE.
0.46 ACRES OF COVERAGE PER TON.
Fertilizer Worksheet
To determine how much fertilizer to use and how often to use it, complete
the following calculation: (1 ACRE = 43,560 SQ. FEET. )
1.
Pounds of actual nitrogen to apply per growing
01
months. Based on 1 pound per 1000 SQ. Feet.
2.
Growing season in your area
(number of months)
3.
Pounds of actual nitrogen to apply per year
4.
Percentage of nitrogen in fertilizer
0.01
5.
Pounds of fertilizer to apply per year
100.00
Based on number of growing months.
6.
Pounds of fertilizer per feeding
100.00
per 1000 SQ. FEET.
7.
Pounds per acre
4356.00
8.
One ton (2000 Lbs.) will cover this many acres.
0.46
One Ton (2000 Lbs. ) at 21% Nitrogen will cover 9.6 Acres.
Total pounds used: 755,983.80 Lbs. 377.99 TONS
Acres can be fertilized: 173.55
Total acres that we fertilize: 173.55 ACRES
7,559,838 SQUARE FEET
it1 n
ACj1'3i$ 0
SLOW-RELEASE TURF FERTILIZER
1. 18 TONS TURF FERTILIZER.
Cost per ton: --------------------------------- $496.00
x tons ----------------------------------------- $8,928.00 (a)
+ Calif Sales Tax. -------------------------- $669.60 (b)
= TOTAL COST ---------------------------- $9,597.60 (c)
2. ACRES OF COVERAGE PER TON (BASED ON AN APPLICATION
RATE OF ONE POUND OF ACTUAL NITROGEN PER 1,000 SQ.
FEET)----------------------------------------------------------------------- 9.65 ACRES
3. COST PER ACRE: Total Cost (line 1 - c) --------------------- $9,597.60
Divided by 18 tons
= total cost per ton ----------------------- $533.20
Divided by 9.65 acres per
ton (from line 2)
= COST PER ACRE: ---------------------- 955.25
Based on 21% Nitrogen
43,560 SQ. FEET PER ACRE. 2000 POUNDS PER TON.
X 4.76 POUNDS PER 1000 SQ. FEET.
207.35 POUNDS PER ACRE.
9.65 ACRES OF COVERAGE PER TON.
Fertilizer Worksheet
To determine how much fertilizer to use and how often to use it, complete
the following calculation: (1 ACRE = 43,560 SQ. FEET.)
1. Pounds of actual nitrogen to apply per growing
months. Based on 1 pound per 1000 SQ. Feet.
2.
Growing season in your area
Qi
(number of months)
3.
Pounds of actual nitrogen to apply per year
I�
4.
Percentage of nitrogen in fertilizer
0.21
5.
Pounds of fertilizer to apply per year
4.76
Based on number of growing months.
6.
Pounds of fertilizer per feeding
4.76
per 1000 SQ. FEET.
7.
Pounds per acre
207.43
8.
One ton (2000 Lbs.) will cover this many acres.
9.64
One Ton ( 2000 Lbs. ) at 21% Nitrogen will cover 9.6 Acres.
f4
;.., :;-J
.21r.=3=5
DESCRIPTION: A PREMIUM SLOW RELEASE FERTILIZER
THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE
IRRIGATION ATTER APPLICATION
GUARANTEED MINIMUM ANALYSIS:
TOTALNITROGEN (N) ................ ................................................................................................................. 21.0%
10.0%Ammoniacal Nitrogen
1.0% Water Soluble Organic Nitrogen
10.0% Coated Slow Release Urea Nitrogen
AVAILABLE PHOSPHORIC ACID (P:Os)...................................................................................................... 3.0%
SOLUBLEPOTASH (Kz0)............................................................................................................................. 5.0%
Sulfur(S)......................................................................................................................................................15.0%
iron(Fe)...................................................................................................................................................... 0.9%
Plant nutrients derived from Ammonium Phosphate Sulfate, Sulfur Coated Urea, Muriate of Potash, and iron Oxide.
BENEFITS: BEST® TURF GOLD® 21-3-5:
e is a 2 particle mixture providing an effective ratio of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur
and Iron.
e is a mix of BEST TURF SUPREME* with BEST COTE* and premium grade Sulfur Coated Urea.
e BEST TURF SUPREMEO with BEST COTE* allows the fertilizer to be applied and not watered
for up to 48 hours without the danger of bum.
e has &0% of its tots! Nitrogen derived from Sulfur Coated Urea to pravids up to 12 weeks of
Nitrogen release.
• can be applied to schools, golf courses, homes (Professional lawn care) etc., without the
inconvenience of turning on the irrigation system after application and interfering with the usage
of the turfgrass area.
APPLICATION RATES:
Lbs. of Actual Lbs. of TURF GOLDS Lbs. of TURF GOLD*
TURFGRASS: Nitrogen desired To Apply per To Apply per
per 1,000 sq. ft. 1,000 sq. ft. Acre
.75 ..................... 3.5 155
'Recommended Rate 1.00 ..................... 4.8 210
1.50' ..................... 7.1 310'
2.00 ..................... 9.5 415
PREPLANT Broadcast 71/2 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. (325 lbs. per acre)
GROUNDCOVER: Broadcast at 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. (1/2 ib. per 100 sq. ft.)
SHRUBS & EVERGREENS: Sprinkle'/. cup evenly around dripline of plant and work into top 1 inch of soil.
TREES: Apply'/, Ib. per 1 inch of trunk diameter. Distribute evenly under branches out to dripline.
NOTE: Liquid measuring cups are very close in estimating the weight of dry granular fertilizers.
Example: An 8 oz. (1 cup) measuring cup holds approximately 8 oz. of dry granular fertilizer.
ALTERNATE #1
S P E C I F I C A T 1 0 N S
BEST TURF GOLD
720 EACH 50 -LB BAGS
PALLETIZED, 40 BAGS PER PALLET
PALLETIZED UNITS PLASTIC -WRAPPED
TO PREVENT MOISTURE ACCESS
DELIVERED TO PARKS DEPARTMENT
125 NORTH STOCKTON STREET
LODI CA 95240
BEST TURF GOLD
18 TONS BULK FERTILIZER
TO BE DELIVERED IN 3% TON CONTAINERS
SPECIFY NECESSARY LEAD TIME FOR DELIVERY
NOT TO EXCEED 30 DAYS.
INDICATE AMOUNT OF TIME CONTAINER CAN BE USED BEFORE RETURNED.
BID SACK FERTILIZER AND PROVIDE ALTERNATE FOR USING BULK.
IF BULK FERTILIZER IS NOT AVAILABLE IN 18 TON AMOUNT INDICATE
THIS INFORMATION IN BID DOCUMENT