11/24/98 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

FO.CASE PURCHASE OF SNOW BLOWER AND TOOLBOXES FOR PUBLIC WORKS By: Mark Boos, Parks/Utilities Supervisor Background: In approximately the year 1985, a 5 horsepower (hp) snow blower used by Public Works for snow removal on the hockey rinks was transferred to City Hall for use there, after the purchase of a new 8 hp unit. In recent years, this 5 hp snow blower has been plagued with breakdowns. Especially last winter, the Public Works snow blower was loaded and delivered to City Hall during snow events due to the frequent mechanical problems. Even though a low snowfall year, it creates minor scheduling concerns and inefficiencies. Observations: The 20 year old, 5 hp snow blower has exceeded its useful life. Rather than replacing it with a new 8 hp snow blower (the size best suited for City Hall), staff recommends purchase ora 12 hp snow blower for Public Works and the transfer of the fully functional 8 hp snow blower for use at City Hall. This results in an adequately sized snow blower for rink work (the existing four hockey rinks alone represent 1.6 acres of snow area). It should be noted that even though a large snow blower attachment for the skid steer is a planned purchase for 1999, a walk-behind snow blower will still be needed for clean-up next to the boards, and for light snowfalls, in addition to other snow removal tasks. Financing: The snow blower recommended for the rink work would be a 12 hp Toro with a 32" width at a cost of $1,756. This would be funded with $520 of the depreciation monies available from the original snow blower. The remaining $1,236 is available from the $2,471 in parks capital expenditures that was not required for the earlier equipment purchases. It is this $1,235 balance designated by City Council for parks capital equipment in 1998, staff would like to direct toward two tool boxes for unit #625 and #629. Tool boxes are an important item to ensure basic tools, chains, etc. are with workers in the field and to protect the tools from the elements and other loss. The following is the detail for the desired purchases along with the funding source: