In this Journal-World file photo from 2013, Charles Barnes, operator of one of the city's automated trash trucks, uses a mechanical arm to lift city trash bins off the street in the Prairie Park Neighborhood.

The City of Lawrence will hold two public meetings this week to share information and gather input about the city’s plan to transition its fleet of vehicles to more environmentally friendly options.

The Lawrence community is invited to attend “discovery session” presentations for the city fleet analysis process that will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, according to a city news release. The meetings will help the city develop a plan for combating transportation emissions and improving the environmental performance of the city’s vehicle fleet.

In March 2020, the City Commission adopted ordinance No. 9744, which set goals for the city’s adoption of renewable energy sources. With these goals in mind, Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) in partnership with Energetics Inc. is providing the city a comprehensive evaluation to transition its vehicle and equipment fleet to renewable and alternative energies.

According to the project website, the city actively uses 850 vehicles, which support a range of functions such as solid waste collections, utility collections and distribution, street and storm water maintenance operations, fire and medical, police, parks and recreation, planning and codes, parking control, building maintenance, and supporting administration services.

On Wednesday, MEC and Energetics Inc. representatives will offer their fleet analysis presentation during the Sustainability Advisory Board meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St. On Thursday at 5:30 p.m., MEC and Energetics Inc. representatives will offer an online presentation via Zoom for those who wish to learn more about the plan and offer their feedback.

Information about the project and a link for the online meeting is available on the project website at lawrenceks.org/community-engagement/fleet-analysis.