Agenda Packets - 2005/07/11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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other projects are put aside due to lack of staff, such as the continuous pothole filling, seasonal transition of equipment, (summer to winter use etc.), boulevard and street repairs due to water main – breaks, (7) breaks this winter season, staff also schedules the flushing of water mains around the street sweeping program to help reduce some of the of contaminants that have built up during the season from getting into the storm drainage system. The 4-wheel sweeper is a conventional chassis, which explains the elimination of the use of the dump truck; all the components of a sweeper and a combination of high air pressure and high volume suction systems (Regenerative Air System) are mounted on this chassis. This system uses a controlled blast of air to dislodge debris, dirt and fines from cracks and the surface area, all debris is picked up by the pick-up head and is directed up a large heavy-duty suction hose into a large hopper that will handle twice the capacity of the 3-wheel sweeper. This also reduces the amount of trips and travel time to the dumpsite, which is also cost, and time effective. This type of sweeper can also be used in rainy weather (within reason) to keep on schedule with out delays, with the present sweeper staff has to stop and reschedule projects due to unexpected weather conditions. As stated earlier that this is a multipurpose sweeper that can be very beneficial in other aspect of use. In the year of 1996 staff implemented a cleaning program of the complete sanitary sewer system and has been very successful in no lawsuits due to blockages in the mains that the city is responsible for maintaining. Since the requirements of the city’s NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) have been put into effect staff has fallen behind in this program due to the cleaning of storm sewer. At this time we are using the same piece of equipment (Vactor) to try and meet both programs needs. The Vactor is a combination unit that creates high volume water pressure that is used to clean underground infrastructures and a vacuum for removing debris from those infrastructures, which could create blockages. The storm and sanitary sewer system are very simuliar in their functions and design. With the new catch basins, storm septors, and rain gardens that have to be installed to meet the requirements of the RCWSD (Rice Creek Water Shed District), they also need to be maintained to function properly. At this time the Vactor is being used to clean such structures were as this new style 4-wheel sweeper also has a vacuum system specifically designed to perform this task and help resolve many of the scheduling issues that are being created. Due to the size of the Vactor and set–up time to do this task it requires (2) employees for safety reason’s, the 4-wheel sweeper would only require (1) employee to perform the same task. This being cost effective and the manpower would be designated to other projects of high importance. Staff had the (4) manufactures of this style sweeper come to the City of Mounds View to demonstrate the performance and effectiveness. The Schwarze Model A7000, the Tymco Model 600, the Elgin Crosswinds, and the Johnston Model 770. All (4) machines were operated by staff and were given the same criteria of tasks to perform. After hours of operation of each sweeper, staff made comparisons and called other establishments for information on each sweeper. After extensive research staff concluded that the Elgin Crosswinds would best suit the city’s needs. BENEFITS: • Meeting of requirements and regulations • Less equipment to complete the job • (1) Employee operation verses a (2) employee operation • Less maintenance costs