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Mounds View City Council March 22, 1999
<br />Regular Meeting Page 9
<br />inquired if he would care to speak to this issue, keeping the discussion germane to the
<br />postponement.
<br />Mr. Hammerschmidt stated one year ago, as they were considering the problems they were
<br />encountering with the soil at the golf course, they decided upon certain remedies that would take
<br />a ten- year period of time to complete. He indicated at that time, they purchased equipment to
<br />facilitate these remedies for the soil, however, one of the pieces of equipment they did not
<br />purchase was a pickup truck, which had been authorized by the Council at that time. He
<br />explained that they could not determine whether they should purchase a 3/4 or j/2 ton truck, as this
<br />was not a priority at that time, because they were in the midst of making these corrections with
<br />their own personal vehicles, and borrowing equipment whenever possible. He advised that they
<br />were now aware they require a 3/4 ton pickup, and it is a priority, in order to make these
<br />corrections. He stated they plan to commence this work as soon as the weather permits, and
<br />without the truck, they would not be able to proceed.
<br />Mr. Hammerschmidt stated the Staff Report. indicates the options available, which include
<br />continuing to utilize their personal vehicles, or to spread out the time in which they perform
<br />these corrections, so that they do not impact the golfers. He pointed out that the pickup would be
<br />used for other purposes, and would also be a replacement truck for the small Ranger pickup that
<br />was purchased used in 1994, and has 88,000 miles on it.
<br />Mr. Hammerschmidt indicated another option would be to purchase a good used pickup. He
<br />pointed out however, that the City typically receives a price break from dealers when purchasing
<br />new vehicles, and the City decided it was worthwhile to do this. He explained that they would
<br />keep the vehicle for a long penod of time, and replace it in ten years, when the cycle has expired.
<br />He stated this would be considered be a normal purchase. He indicated he had moved this matter
<br />from anon-budget extraordinary budget item, to the budget, because he believed it was a
<br />priority, as opposed to some of the other purchases being considered. He explained that they
<br />were currently researching the purchase of mowing equipment, however, the equipment they
<br />currently utilize is still adequate for mowing. He advised that the repair of the soil was the
<br />priority, at this point in time.
<br />Mr. Hammerschmidt stated he believed he was clear to make this purchase three years prior,
<br />when a $25,000 Interfund Loan was going to be made to the Contingency Fund to cover these
<br />types of purchases. He stated he had informed the Council they did not desire to proceed with
<br />this purchase at that time, and had indicated that when they required something, they would
<br />come before the Council to request it. He stated that in his understanding, a necessary item that
<br />falls under the $25,000, and does not require to be bid out, was simply within the process of
<br />normal purchasing, and the City Administrator could either approve it or not approve it, based
<br />upon his knowledge of the situation.
<br />City Administrator Whiting stated staff had discussed this matter, in terms of whether or not it
<br />was required to come before the City Council. He explained that in recognition of the questions
<br />that had come forward with the previous Council, regarding the size of the truck, and being
<br />aware of Council Member Stigney's interest in the matter, staff decided to include the item on
<br />• the Consent Agenda, with expectations that there would be some questions pertaining to it.
<br />City Administrator Whiting stated Mr. Hammerschmidt, through the Staff Report, and through
<br />his presence at the meeting has attempted to answer some of these questions. He suggested that
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