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CASE AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF ONE 3/4-TON 4X4 PICK-UP WITH SNOW PLOW By: Jessie Hart, Finance Officer Background: Included in the 1996 Adopted General Fund Budget is $23,000.00 for the purchase of a 3/4 ton 4X4 truck equipped with a snow plow. This purchase is a replacement for unit #618, a 1985 Ford Fl50 1/2 ton 4X4 with mileage in excess of 91,000 miles. This truck is used primarily for parks and utilities but is also the designated "snow emergency" vehicle for the Police Department. Due to the demands placed on this vehicle by varying departments, Public Works Supervisor Merle Mevissen, Parks/Utilities Supervisor Mark Boos, City Engineer Steve Jankowski, City Administrator Ryan Schroeder and me met regarding the replacement of this vehicle. Police Chief Mike Auspos was not able to attend but did provide his comments in writing prior to the meeting. It had been questioned as to whether unit #618 might better be replaced with a more contained vehicle, such as a blazer type unit. Because this is a replacement of a vehicle that is used a great deal by the parks and utilities and very limited by the Police, it was decided by consensus that now is not the appropriate time to add a more contained vehicle to the fleet. If this had been an addition to the fleet, the concept would have been more viable. The recommendation, which incorporates the concerns of Chief Auspos, are as follows: · Purchase a 3/4 ton 4X4 truck equipped with an easily mounted and dismounted snow plow. · Move the light bar currently on unit #618 to the new truck and equip it with inter- changeable lenses for police use. · Purchase a compatible, easy to remove topper [this would facilitate the need to remove when hauling certain items yet provides the ability to keep things a bit more secure and dry]. · Install an existing siren and speaker to facilitate the police use. The Police Department will also be purchasing "magnetic" signs for the side doors to identify it as an official vehicle if the need arises. As members of the Hennepin County Purchasing Cooperative, we have the opportunity to purchase equipment and vehicles through contracts already subjected to the statutory bidding laws, eliminating the need to go through the bidding process ourselves. 3/4 Ton 4X4 Truck: The Hennepin County Purchasing Cooperative let bids for light trucks for 1996 and Superior Ford received the award. Superior Ford's bid, which meets the City specifications for a 3/4 ton 4X4 truck is $20,605.62. This price includes several options, such as the snow plow package, and sales tax, but does not include licenses or the snow plow.