The Albany City Council on Oct. 8 approved a resolution exempting the purchase of a Workin 100RI pavement milling machine from competitive bidding so the city can acquire the equipment through a cooperative purchasing agreement.

Rob Romeo, public works staff, told council the machine will allow crews to grind bad sections and remove spoils with a conveyor system rather than socket excavating, improving efficiency during Oregon's limited paving season. "This milling machine will allow us to grind bad sections of street, removing spoils with the conveyor system rather than having to socket excavate, and will save us a lot of time," Romeo said.

Councilor moved and seconded the resolution; members voted in favor and the motion passed. Staff said the equipment will help the city address minor pavement issues more effectively during the summer months and make utility patch repairs stronger and acceptable to partner agencies.

No additional budget appropriation was recorded in the meeting transcript; staff framed the purchase as an efficiency measure to be executed under a cooperative agreement.