Committee approves emergency contracts for large-capacity asphalt trucks and new rollers
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Summary
The committee approved two emergency ordinances allowing the city to rent large-capacity asphalt trucks with operators and to purchase or lease rollers and related equipment to support street resurfacing and pothole repair, citing lack of in-house capacity and aging fleet.
The Municipal Service and Properties Committee on Nov. 10 approved two emergency ordinances to support Clevelands street repair work: an authorization to procure rental large-capacity trucks with drivers for the Division of Streets and an authorization to buy or lease rollers, trailers and related equipment for pothole and general street repair.
Chairman Bishop presented Ordinance 13 51 2025, which authorizes one-year rental agreements for large-capacity tri-axle trucks with two one-year renewal options exercisable by the director of public works. Commissioner Trent, filling in for the director, said the contracts include drivers because the city lacks space, maintenance capacity and certified long-haul drivers to operate these much larger trucks. "These trucks carry, are much larger than our city fleet... they carry up to 14 tons of asphalt to any particular load," Trent said.
Councilman Brian Casey asked whether the city could buy the vehicles and operate them in-house. Trent said purchasing is not practical: the city would have difficulty housing and maintaining the trucks and would need drivers with over-the-road experience. Trent told the committee the rental approach supports operational need during paving season.
The committee also approved Ordinance 13 50 2025 authorizing purchase, lease or lease-with-option-to-purchase of various on-road and off-road vehicles and equipment for the Department of Public Works. Trent said the purchases will replace rollers and other equipment that have been in use for "over 20, 25 years" and support pothole crews and street repair operations distinct from large resurfacing rollers.
Both ordinances were approved by the committee; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript. The committee record shows both measures were signed following the approvals.
What happens next: The director (or designee) will proceed with contracting and procurement under the emergency authorizations; the director retains authority to exercise renewal options for the truck rentals.