Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Lake Maintenance Boat Purchase topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Finance committee approves boat, motor and trailer package for lake maintenance
Summary
The Muskego City Finance Committee approved a purchase of a boat, surface-drive motor and trailer within a $25,000 budget to aid removal of floating bogs and obstructions from the city's three lakes.
The Muskego City Finance Committee voted March 11 to approve the purchase of a boat, surface-drive motor and trailer package to support lake-maintenance work.
City staff described the existing craft as underpowered and prone to overheating when operating in shallow, sedimented water. Tom (city staff member) told the committee the recommended package uses an air-cooled surface-drive motor, a design better suited to shallow-water work because it avoids drawing in sediment and overheating. He said the selected unit offers stronger reverse thrust than conventional outboards, which will help when towing floating bogs that can block boat launches. "We needed to get... surface drive motors that are air cooled which is good for working in shallow water," Tom said.
The package recommended to the committee is from a local vendor based in Eagle, Wisconsin, and staff said the total price falls within the $25,000 requested budget; staff reported comparable quotes ranged from about $23,000 to just over $25,000. Committee members asked about trailer construction and whether a painted-steel trailer would hold up in storage; staff said the boat would be kept in cold storage and that painted steel trailers can hold up well. Committee members also questioned whether the motor's 40 horsepower would be adequate for towing large, saturated bogs; staff explained that heavy equipment assists when the bogs are brought to shore and the motor is used to tow or reposition obstructions on the water.
The committee moved to approve the purchase; the motion passed on a voice vote. The transcript records the motion and a voice vote but does not provide a roll-call tally.
The purchase is intended to maintain access to the city's three large lakes by helping staff move and tow floating bogs and other obstructions that can plug boat ramps. The city packet listed multiple quotes and staff said the selected package best met operational needs for shallow-water work and reverse-power towing.
Formal action: the committee approved the recommended purchase by voice vote; mover and seconder are not specified in the meeting record.
