Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Dpw Operations Equipment Roads topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DPW builds new hot‑patch box, plans $4.5M in MFT road work; hydro installation delayed to November
Summary
Public works reported ongoing equipment problems with sweepers, a new hot‑patch box built in-house to reduce manual labor, a target of $4.5 million in MFT road repairs next year, and an update that hydro plant unit installations have been pushed to late November; the board was also told a new sewer operations manager will start Sept. 8.
The Department of Public Works told the Environmental Services Utility board Monday that one street sweeper remained in service amid ongoing mechanical issues and that crews have adopted a new in‑house hot‑patch box to reduce manual shoveling for road repairs. DPW superintendent Hassick described the new box — built by the city mechanic shop — that crews can dump asphalt into and then back‑drag with a skid steer or loader so a roller can finish the patch. “It’s been doing really, really well,” he said, and staff expect it to reduce hand raking and shoveling. The board heard that leaf pickup will begin around Oct. 15–16 and that road crews will continue hot‑patching, tree work and alley pickup through the fall. Officials said the city is planning at least $4.5 million in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT)‑funded road repairs for the next spring and summer, with a goal of going to bid by the start of the year so work can begin in spring if the council approves funding. On equipment, DPW said ongoing sweeper reliability has required towing and outside repair; at the time of the meeting one sweeper was operational. The hydro plant update said parts refurbished by the contractor Norkian have arrived but a qualified contractor to install units 1 and 2 was not available until late November, and the installation window has been pushed back accordingly. A separate pump procurement process is about 90% complete and will be sent out to bid once engineering review finishes. Personnel: Mayor Curtis introduced Randy Collins as the incoming sewer operations manager with a start date of Sept. 8. Officials described Collins as an internal hire; the board did not take a formal vote on the announcement at the meeting. Ending: DPW officials said they will continue regular road maintenance and pursue bids for next year’s MFT work while monitoring equipment availability and staffing transitions.
