Tonganoxie approves sale of 1979 motor grader and office equipment via Purple Wave auction

The Tonganoxie City Council on Monday approved staff requests to sell a 1979 motor grader and surplus office equipment on the Purple Wave online auction site, with proceeds to go to the city’s capital projects fund.

Public Works staff member Mr. Porter described the grader as the oldest piece of equipment in the department’s inventory and said the city purchased the machine used in 1989. "This is officially the oldest piece of equipment that I've ever suggested at least that the City Council dispose of and it's actually by far 1 of the oldest pieces of equipment in our City, Public Works portfolio of assets," Porter said.

Porter said the grader is a 1979 T500 MS motor grader (listed in staff materials) and that Public Works expects auction proceeds to be "north of $5,000" and possibly near $10,000 but that final values depend on the auction outcome. He said proceeds would be deposited into the capital projects fund to help with future project costs and equipment purchases.

Councilmember Partridge moved to authorize the sale of the grader and a bundled group of office equipment and supplies from the former and current City Hall facilities on Purple Wave; Miss McCutcheon seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

Porter said the city will bundle items in the online auction to avoid piecemeal removal and noted staff has not completed a full inventory. He told the council staff will review items for potential historical value and offer items to the historical society if appropriate. The sale is structured to comply with the city's procurement policy; staff said they requested council approval in case auction proceeds exceed the $2,500 threshold that triggers procurement requirements.

The council approved both disposal requests and did not require a budget amendment for the proposed auction sales.