Finance committee advances three capital ordinances for sidewalk tractor, hybrid vehicles and Pioneer Park column repairs

The Fairbanks North Star Borough finance committee on July 17 considered three advanced ordinances affecting capital equipment and facility maintenance.

Sidewalk snow removal tractor (Ordinance 2025-20-1B): Sponsor Mayor Hopkins introduced an ordinance to appropriate $194,648 in federal pass-through FAST Planning grant funds and $39,736 in local match from the general fund to the capital projects fund for purchase of a sidewalk snow removal tractor and associated equipment. Jackson Fox of FAST Planning told the committee the unit identified was a Trackless MT7 articulated tractor; the city of Fairbanks and Alaska DOT maintenance operations have used similar machines. Fox said the machine would be maintained by borough shops and could clear sidewalks at borough facilities and parks, including bus stops and the river walk. He also said the federal grant allows use beyond FTA-funded locations because this is not FTA money. The packet lists FAST Planning award amounts;…