Public works year-end report flags aging fleet, costly sweepers and $932,000 near-term replacement need

Public works staff told the Kankakee Environmental Services Utility Board on Jan. 21 that an aging vehicle fleet and complex equipment failures reduced operational uptime in 2024 and that replacing priority items will be expensive.

Why it matters: The condition of municipal vehicles and heavy equipment affects routine services including street sweeping, sewer maintenance and brush pickup; mechanical downtime contributed to fewer days of sweeping and increased repair demands.

Public works overview: Frank Hassick summarized the department's 2024 year-end report, noting the department reached 26 full-time union personnel plus one administrative assistant and that cross-training became a priority after staff shortages. He said the department experienced four departures in 2024 but has focused on training so more staff can operate specialized equipment.

The report highlighted that sweepers are particularly expensive and critical to operations. "Sweepers are vital to our organization as far as assisting the sewer department and keep things out of the sewer, out of the river, out of, you know, storm drains and everything like that," Hassick said. He reported one sweeper replacement now costs about $370,000 and that two other sweepers are aging and experienced significant issues in 2024, contributing to extended downtime.

Hassick told the board the city removed 522 tons of swept waste in 2024, down from 621 tons the prior year, reflecting roughly 31 fewer sweep days because of mechanical failures. He said replacement timelines vary by vehicle: some pickup and single-axle truck orders can take 3 to 4 months, while other types of equipment may take longer.

Cost estimates and planning: In the written report, staff identified items colored "red" as top-priority replacements. Hassick said if the red items were replaced at current prices over the next one to three years, the cost would be about $932,000; additional items flagged "yellow" carried a projected markup to account for future price increases. Staff said they are searching for used equipment to bridge gaps and reduce immediate capital outlays.

Mechanics and shop improvements: Hassick credited lead mechanics Jeremy Norton and Ray Ross with reducing repair lead times and getting equipment back in service faster than before. He said the shop now typically returns a piece of equipment to service within a day or two once parts are available.

Operational impact: Because sweepers often run full eight-hour days, complex repairs can take multiple days and reduce coverage; Hassick said a simple-sounding repair like a conveyor belt can be a two- or three-day project because of the machines' complexity.

Next steps: Staff said they will continue to seek used-equipment opportunities, prioritize the red items for replacement, and present budgeted capital requests as appropriate. The board acknowledged the report and asked questions about replacement timelines and parts availability.