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Public Works updates: insurance proceeds, potential knuckle‑boom purchase, Fuelmaster replacement and paving blanket bid
Summary
Public Works reported an insurance reimbursement for a totaled knuckle‑boom truck, recommended purchasing the rented replacement, described a Fuelmaster fueling system study, and previewed a two‑year blanket paving bid to streamline street work estimates.
Public works director Jack Williams briefed aldermen on operational items including a totaled knuckle‑boom (grapple) truck, a possible purchase of the rented replacement, a Fuelmaster fueling‑system upgrade study and early plans for a blanket paving contract.
Williams said the city will be reimbursed for a grapple truck that was totaled and that the department is currently renting a one‑year‑old truck the crew prefers. “We have that truck in our hand right now that we've rented. We'd like to purchase it if possible…we're about $40,000 more to purchase it,” Williams said, explaining that a brand‑new comparable unit would cost roughly $230,000. He said the insurance adjuster will provide a settlement figure and the city has the option to match a buyer’s offer if the totaled unit is sold.
On fueling, Williams said the Fuelmaster system is aging and staff met a vendor to prepare a turnkey quote for hardware and software replacement, including monthly software fees. He said the existing pumps and underground tanks may not be compatible with modern pumps and that replacing pumps and tanks could cost “probably 2 or $300,000” in a full replacement scenario. Williams said staff will study whether to replace the Fuelmaster system outright or move to a fleet fuel‑card program that could increase per‑gallon costs but reduce capital and maintenance work.
Williams also presented early draft language for a two‑year renewable “blanket” paving contract designed to streamline unit‑price estimates for resurfacing work. The blanket bid would allow the city to pick one contractor for an extended period if performance and pricing prove acceptable, he said.
Other updates included ditch cleaning, drainage work at Bagley and Ralph Atkins, and an open‑truck update: staff expect reimbursement of the older vehicle’s value and will consider purchase of the rented unit via a budget amendment if the figures justify it. Williams said any purchase would return to the council for budget amendment approval.
