Park Superintendent Chris Fowler told the board he obtained two commercial bids for a recommended commercial pool-robot vacuum and was having difficulty finding a third comparable vendor. Fowler said he received bids of $4,199.95 and $3,899 plus a $150 setup fee and that an Amazon listing provided a third price for comparison.

Why it matters: Fowler argued a commercial robot vacuum would reduce staff labor and improve pool cleanliness and safety by providing more consistent suction and wall cleaning overnight, and that the machine could pay for itself over time in labor savings.

Procurement details: Alderman James Cleave said city purchasing normally requests three bids and that an online price can count as a third price if no other vendor provides a comparable commercial quote. Fowler said he would prepare a purchase order and submit it to the mayor for approval; the mayor’s office handles the PO process and will route to the Board of Aldermen if required.

Next steps: Fowler said he will fill out the PO and submit it; the parks board asked staff to emphasize safety and labor-savings in the paperwork. If approved, the city will proceed with the commercial unit rather than relying on the existing hand vacuum.

Ending: The board signaled support for the purchase but noted standard procurement steps must be followed before funds are committed.