SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Declare approximately 85,000 square feet of used artificial turf and 38,000 pounds of rubber surplus to the needs of the City and donate to Pinellas County School Board in accordance with Code of Ordinances Section 2.621 Sale of Surplus Property and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
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SUMMARY:
When the Tampa Bay Rays replaced the turf infield at Tropicana Field (Trop) prior to their 2018 baseball season, they offered to donate a portion of the used AstroTurf to the City. The City accepted the offer and transported a portion of the turf including the infill material made up of sand and rubber to the City Nursery Facility located on Saturn Avenue at a cost of $15,240.
The intent was to use the Rays’ turf in the replacement and refurbishment of the turf playing field at Jack Russell Stadium. However, after working with AstroTurf who installed the original turf at the Trop, staff was informed that the turf was specifically designed for indoor use, and it would not be economically beneficial to install the used turf. Staff could expect approximately two years of life from the product while a new turf surface would be guaranteed for eight years and could last 12 to 15 years.
That being the case, the Council awarded a contract to AstroTurf Corporation (AstroTurf) on December 6, 2018 to provide and install a new synthetic turf practice field at Jack Russell Stadium. The turf field has since been installed and is being used for a variety of our programs.
The Rays’ turf is now surplus to the needs of the City needs, as there is no particular location for its use. The Parks and Recreation Department reached out to other city departments to see if they had a need and there was none. Pinellas County Schools has a need for the used turf and Mr. Neil Robinson, Maintenance Manager of Pinellas County Schools, has informed staff in writing that they are willing to accept the donation of 38,000 pounds of rubber and 85,000 sq. ft. of turf and are willing to pick-up the donated materials from the Saturn Field office.
Clearwater Code of Ordinances Section 2.621 Sale of Surplus Property, (V)B. Exceptions to the Surplus Sale Procedures, allows for donation to a charitable or not-for-profit organization in lieu of an open market sale.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A