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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Gio Santana, Superintendent of Parks
Jim Birchall, Superintendent Fleet & Facilities
Michael Pegues, Chief Information Officer
DATE: 05/24/2021
SUBJECT:
Request approval for a Service Agreement with Big Belly Solar, Inc., 150 A Street, Suite 103, Needham, MA 02494, for connected smart waste, solar compacting and recycling platform at Philips Park. Total Monthly System Cost is $8,286.36 over a 36-month term with one-time fees $18,483.00 with amount not to exceed $317,000.00.
PURPOSE:
Connect is Bigbelly’s turnkey smart city solution which delivers a connected smart waste and recycling platform and provides Customers with a partner to help deploy, manage, and optimize their customized solution. This subscription-based service was designed to deliver a flexible, scalable, smart platform that transforms waste operations today, and enables Customers to benefit from the technology innovations of the future.
The plan is to implement connected smart waste bins throughout Philips Park as part of the Aurora's Smart City Program. If advantageous, the Bigbelly program is easily scalable other City parks and downtown central business district over the next year(s).
See attachments:
1. Bigbelly Smart Solutions Overview for City of Aurora Phillips Park
2. Marketplace.city Clearbox Review
3. Service Agreement 36-month
4. Stickers, Decals & Messaging Panels
5. Marketplace Fee Agreement for Connect Service Agreement
BACKGROUND:
Aurora would like to provide a leading-edge waste management solution to its residents that is safe, clean, and cost efficient to service.
In Philips Park today, the city has nearly 100 fifty-gallon drums that have an open-air top that is exposed to weather conditions and pests. The city incurs substantial cost to empty 92 antiquated garbage drums 4 times per week (including weekends), regardless of time of year, event schedules, activities, etc. (which is overtime at double time rate). With smart sensors technology, the units will alert crews when stations are ready for collection reducing the number down to 37 smart waste bins once per week recovering over 312 staff hours per month, estimating approximately $9,000 in savings on overtime annually. Also, there would be no need to procure a Rear Loader Garbage Truck, avoiding a capital expenditure of $120,000 which currently required to run garbage operations.
Note: The first years' worth of liners have been included in the upfront costs estimate, but after that, the monthly cost is estimated at $329 which is the City's responsibility.
The Bigbelly solar-powered and compact waste bin holds five times as much as a traditional trash bin. The receptacles have closed lids and sensor controls, which should prevent waste overflow, rodent problems and windblown litter. These smart waste systems are currently used in other metropolitan cities including New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Spokane, Lakewood, Dublin and London. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was early adopter of the Bigbelly bins.
Advertising space on the units could promote major public events, artwork from local artists, public service messages and generate revenue for City sponsored programs. Management of advertising is NOT included in the Connect program therefore the City would have to take on the role of managing the advertising itself.
Of the 37 smart bins, five of the bins will also have the ability to be set up as Wi-Fi hot spots to increase the Wi-Fi coverage throughout the park. The cost for setting these bins up is $1,500 for the first bin, and $3,000 for each additional of the remaining four bins. This would be a total set up cost of $13,500, should we choose to set up all five of the capable bins as Wi-Fi spots.
This purchase was made using Marketplace.city (approved by Resolution R19-294 on September 10, 2019).
DISCUSSION:
Due to the limited sources for this type of item, it was not possible to conduct a traditional competitive bidding process. Nevertheless, in the exercise of its home rule authority, the Council may authorize the contract.
A budget transfer has been submitted to move the funds from 340-4010-417.63-99 (Supplies-Mach/Equip/Other) to account 340-4010-417.39-50 (Rental/Leases Equipment-Other) in the amount of $244,700.00.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
By deploying Bigbelly units, the City of Aurora is moving forward with smart city technology that supports sustainability and efficient government operations; offer connected hardware that notify city staff when fill levels are reached so they can be emptied on demand, will provide tracking and trending data to city staff, and will provide a safer, cleaner, healthier service to residents.
The city would also like to convert Philips to a “Smart Park” whereby residents have access to a public Wi-Fi network that is supported by hubs installed on the waste bins.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Request approval for a Service Agreement with Big Belly Solar, Inc., 150 A Street, Suite 103, Needham, MA 02494, for connected smart waste, solar compacting and recycling platform at Philips Park. Total Monthly System Cost is $8,286.36 over a 36-month term with one-time fees $18,483.00 with amount not to exceed $317,000.00
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Request approval for a Service Agreement with Big Belly Solar, Inc., 150 A Street, Suite 103, Needham, MA 02494, for connected smart waste, solar compacting and recycling platform at Philips Park. Total Monthly System Cost is $8,286.36 over a 36-month term with one-time fees $18,483.00 with amount not to exceed $317,000.00.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, This subscription-based service was designed to deliver a flexible, scalable, smart platform that transforms waste operations today, and enables Customers to benefit from the technology innovations of the future; and
WHEREAS, The plan is to implement connected smart waste bins throughout Philips Park as part of the Aurora's Smart City Program; and
WHEREAS, A budget transfer has been submitted to move the funds from 340-4010-417.63-99 (Supplies-Mach/Equip/Other) to account 340-4010-417.39-50 (Rental/Leases Equipment-Other) in the amount of $244,700.00; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the Director of Purchasing shall be and hereby is authorized and directed to execute a Service Agreement with Big Belly Solar, Inc., 150 A Street, Suite 103, Needham, MA 02494, for connected smart waste, solar compacting and recycling platform at Philips Park. Total Monthly System Cost is $8,286.36 over a 36-month term with one-time fees $18,483.00 with amount not to exceed $317,000.00.