Explanation
This ordinance is to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into contract for the purchase of Golf maintenance equipment for the Recreation and Parks Department.
Background: In July 2015, The City of Columbus partnered with R&R Products Inc. (manufacturer and parts supplier of mowing equipment) and the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) to test propane powered mowing equipment designed for golf courses. The program offered the city the opportunity to test out propane mowing equipment for free over the course of a year in exchange for recording performance data on each mower (city provided fuel and basic maintenance). At the end of the testing period, the city has the option to purchase any of the equipment at a 55% depreciated rate.
Columbus was one of eight golf locations selected nationally to participate in this program and the only municipal course selected. Fleet Management selected the Airport Golf Course as the course to participate in this program. The city was provided with four new propane powered pieces of golf course equipment. Three of these units are used for mowing fairways and greens; the fourth piece of equipment is a sand bunker groomer.
Results: The fairway mower encompassed 1,162 acres of operation and used 725 gallons of fuel during the testing period. The bunker groomer operated for more than 36 hours raking sand traps and used 27 gallons of propane. One mower was dropped from the testing due to on-going mechanical issues while the fourth mower will be tested for an additional twelve months to further evaluate newly designed cutting heads.
Fuel prices fluctuated over the course of the testing period, but overall propane averaged $.30/gallon less than diesel. The propane powered fairway mower was $218 cheaper to operate during the testing period based on fuel use & costs compared to a diesel powered fairway mower.
According to PERC, propane reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon monoxi...
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