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Ferndale council approves two sweeper purchases to improve bike lanes, parking structure maintenance
Summary
Council approved purchase of a Multihog mini sweeper for $183,995 and an Elgin Pelican replacement sweeper for $322,500, citing improved bike-lane maintenance, parking-structure cleaning and long-term pavement preservation.
The Ferndale City Council on Monday approved two purchases aimed at modernizing the city—s street- and sidewalk-sweeping fleet.
The council authorized buying a Multihog CV350 mini sweeper from Brown Equipment Company for up to $183,995 and a replacement Elgin Pelican street sweeper from McQueen for $322,500. Both votes were unanimous.
DPW staff said the mini sweeper will access narrow bike lanes, sidewalks, park paths and the downtown parking structure where the city—s larger tandem sweepers cannot operate. "This is a piece of equipment that will do wonders in that building," said James, the DPW director, referring to the parking structure.
Staff said the city has rented similar equipment in the past and that rental costs for the parking structure alone have been about $2,500 per week; four weeks of rental would total about $10,000 per year. Buying the mini sweeper, staff said, reduces repeated rental costs and allows more regular maintenance of bike lanes and sidewalks.
The Elgin Pelican will serve as the city—s primary street sweeper. DPW explained the 2016 unit currently used as a backup has chronic mechanical issues — including a damaged impeller housing — that would cost $20,000 to $25,000 in repairs and could take months to source parts. Staff said rentals while equipment is down can cost about $5,000 per week.
Fleet and budget context: DPW said the mini sweeper is expected to be in service roughly 10 years, and small equipment maintenance is typically estimated at 4-8% of purchase cost annually. Staff said sanitation and special funds will carry most operating costs; the Water Fund can pay hourly when its teams use the sweeper for emergency work.
Outcome: Both purchases were approved and finance staff were authorized to make the necessary budget amendments. Councilmembers who spoke praised the purchases as overdue investments in city maintenance programs.
