Parks Committee approves Bobcat loader purchase for City Hall sidewalks

The Green Bay Parks Committee voted Oct. 29 to approve the purchase of a Bobcat L28 articulated loader with a broom and a snowblower attachment for $63,744.30, staff told the committee.

A staff member said the price printed in the meeting packet, $74,081.82, was incorrect and that a revised quote had been distributed to committee members. The staff member said the corrected lump sum price was $62,536.79, and that swapping a 64‑inch angle broom (listed at $4,470) for a custom 50‑inch angle broom (listed at $5,690) produced a final authorization request of $63,744.30. "No it's not. I put a revised quote on your desk today," the staff member said when presenting the change.

Staff said the loader is intended primarily for clearing sidewalks around City Hall. The existing sidewalk machine is undersized and in poor condition, the staff member said, and the smaller 50‑inch angle broom is needed because street trees limit maneuvering space on sidewalks.

The staff member told the committee the purchase quote was obtained through a cooperative purchasing contract and recommended buying from Bobcat Plus Inc., noting the city had purchased items from that vendor previously. The staff member said funding would come from leftover bond proceeds from prior equipment purchases and that the item is already included in the city's five‑year capital improvement program (CIP) for 2026; approving the purchase now would reduce the amount requested in the 2026 bond package. Staff also said a clearer, refined estimate would be provided in the city council packet.

A motion to approve the purchase was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee forwarded the item for the Common Council's final approval as part of committee referrals.