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Item No. 8A <br />Meeting Date: March 14, 2005 <br />Type of Business: CA <br />WK: Work Session; PH: Public Hearing; <br />CA: Consent Agenda; CB: Council Business <br />City Administrator Review _______ <br /> City of Mounds View Staff Report <br />To: Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From: Greg Lee, Director of Public Works <br /> <br />Item Title/Subject: Resolution 6421 Approving the Purchase of a <br />Replacement Tanker Truck <br /> <br />Background: <br />In 1994, the City purchased a 1981 International 1810 Series Tanker Truck. This <br />Tanker Truck has been used to perform many routine Public Works duties such <br />as flooding rinks, flushing streets, sweeping for dust control, cleaning picnic <br />shelters, cleaning portable toilets, watering boulevard repairs, removing graffiti <br />removal from signs, buildings and playgrounds, flushing storm sewers, and <br />testing sewer mains. <br /> <br />The City has a practice of replacing trucks on a fifteen-year cycle. However, as a <br />cost saving measure, the cycle to replace the Tanker Truck has been extended <br />25 years. This extension of the replacement cycle is possible due to the City of <br />Mounds View maintenance practices, which allow for the longer vehicle usage. <br />In comparison, most municipalities and other government agencies have <br />selected shorter life cycles for trucks, typically 10 to 12 years. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br />Given the age and increased maintenance necessary, this Tanker Truck is no <br />longer cost effective and has therefore reached the end of its economically useful <br />life cycle. This Tanker Truck was scheduled for replacement in 2005 and monies <br />have been allocated in the approved 2005 budget for its replacement. <br /> <br />Before seeking the purchase of a new tanker truck, Staff explored several <br />options. These were as follows: <br /> <br />1. Try to extend the life of the existing tanker truck. <br />The Chassis was worn when we purchased it. The brakes need work and the <br />front end parts need to be replaced (ie, tie rods, drag links, and steering sector). <br />The clutch is wearing and the power steering pump leaks profusely. <br /> <br />The tank itself is showing signs of severe rust. The ring gear on the flywheel of <br />the rear pump engine needs to be replaced. The pump engine is also showing