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Council approves replacement snow-plow trucks but votes to remove wing-plow option for now
Summary
Council authorized purchase of two new snow-plow trucks but voted to remove an optional wing-plow attachment and left the item on first reading for study; the fully equipped cost for the two trucks was presented at $1,052,200.27.
The Independence City Council on Aug. 12 authorized moving forward with the purchase of two fully equipped snow-plow trucks but voted to remove the optional wing-plow attachment from the tandem truck for further study.
Service staff presented specifications and procurement details, saying the purchase (one single-axle, one tandem-axle truck) would be made through state purchasing contracts and outfitted with plows, swap-loader systems, and EPOKE salt spreaders. The fully equipped cost for both trucks, as presented to council, was $1,052,200.27; staff said those funds are available from an encumbered balance of approximately $1,100,000 in the capital plan.
During discussion council members questioned the practicality and insurance exposure of a wing plow. A council motion to remove the wing-plow option passed in a roll-call vote; council directed staff to keep the ordinance on first reading and to continue studying the wing-plow concept and related operational issues. Council members said the tandem truck will still be purchased without the wing plow option.
Staff said the tandem truck will be used chiefly on major arteries during lower-traffic periods and that the city had tested similar equipment and reviewed peer jurisdictions. Funding, vendor selection through state contracts, and installation vendors were all presented at the meeting.
