HomeMy WebLinkAbout#16 - Purchase of Tandem Axle Plow Truck STAFF REPORT
DATE:
REGULAR
TO: City Council
FROM: Jamie Colemer, Public Works Lead
AGENDA ITEM: Tandem Axle Dump Truck/Snow Plow Purchase
REVIEWED BY: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
BACKGROUND:
The City of Lake Elmo Public Works Department utilizes a fleet of 9 vehicles to remove snow and salt
over 150 lane miles of city streets, 87 cul-de-sacs and 10 parking lots on snow events. The fleet consists
of pick-ups, loaders and single axle dump trucks. Of these vehicles, a model year 2000 dump truck is in
service and in need of replacement due to age and maintenance issues as a result of serious accident
involving the truck in 2002.
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL:
Should the City Council approve the purchase of a tandem axle dump truck/snow plow as outlined in the
Capital Improvement Plan?
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
Proceeding with this purchase will benefit the city and its citizens by replacing an aged truck that has
mechanical and safety issues. Past purchases of dump/plow trucks have been single axle chassis equipped
with snow and ice removal equipment, but the requested purchase is for a tandem axle chassis truck with a
greater material hauling capacity. Staff feels that a tandem axle chassis will benefit the department in a
number of ways. It will increase the length of time the truck can stay on the road during snow and ice events
do to larger amount of road salt it can carry. Also, because of its larger hauling capacity this unit will be
used to haul materials such as gravel, dirt and street sweepings into and out of public works decreasing the
trips that the current single axle trucks make to accomplish the same tasks.
Snow and ice removal equipment on this truck will be similar to what the department has installed on
previous truck builds in an effort to standardize all new equipment.
The MAC reviewed this at their February 27th meeting and recommended replacing aluminum wheels with
steel and removing tire chains from Towmaster, adding a trans hold and intank fuel heater. These changes
should bring the cost of the vehicle down to an amount not to exceed $265,000. Staff received revised
quotes from Towmaster and Nuss after the meeting and those are attached.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Purchase of this vehicle shall not exceed $265,000 and will be funded through Municipal Bonds. It should
be noted that the initial CIP amount was listed as $265,000.
To assist in offsetting the cost of this truck the City has submitted a grant to the South Washington
Watershed District to cover a portion of the cost of calibrated salt and salt brine application equipment. If
the grant should be awarded to the city the possibility exists to decrease the overall cost of the truck up by
$5,300.
Page 2
OPTIONS:
1. Approve purchase of dump truck/snow plow as recommended by MAC
2. Deny purchase of dump truck/snow plow
3. Amend and approve purchase of dump truck/snow plow
RECOMMENDATION:
“Motion to approve the purchase of a tandem axle dump truck from Nuss Equipment and snow removal
equipment from Towmaster Equipment for an amount not to exceed $265,000”
ATTACHMENTS:
• Mack Chassis Spec. (revised quote)
• Towmaster Equipment Spec. (revised quote)
• Accident summary from March 15, 2002