By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Hays Public Works Department is asking the city commission to approve the purchase 400 polycarts to provide adequate reserves and to replace aging polycarts.

Commissioners will consider the request during their work session tonight.  The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in city hall.

The polycart solid waste collection program has been in place for six years.

Staff is recommending a sole-source purchase from Rehrig Pacific Company in Desoto, Kansas.

“They’re not only cheaper, but also very similar to our current polycarts,” according to Paul Briseno, assistant city manager of Hays.

“The ones we have now are actually thinner than the ones made by Rehrig, and, consequently more brittle:”

Hays has about 7,300 polycarts currently in use.

They were purchased in 2008 from Ameri-Kart, in Mildford, Ohio, and have a 10-year warranty.  Ameri-Kart no longer manufactures the style purchased by the city.