Alma commission approves $167,600 leaf‑vacuum purchase and VC3 IT labor contract for Windows 11 upgrades

The Alma City Commission approved two procurement items during its meeting: a $167,600 purchase of a Spartan Pro Plus leaf‑vacuum unit and a contract for labor with VC3 Inc. not to exceed $64,050 to upgrade city computers for Windows 11 compatibility.

Public services staff told the commission the leaf‑vacuum unit had been demoed and would reduce the number of employees needed for seasonal leaf collection from several crew members to a smaller team, freeing crews for other work and reducing repetitive lifting. Staff estimated typical equipment lifespans and said the selected unit places fewer risks of turf damage because it uses a hydraulic hose vacuum rather than a rigid grappling mechanism; the motion to purchase passed by voice vote.

On IT, staff explained that Microsoft’s Windows 11 deadline (third quarter 2025) and security requirements mean about 47 devices in the city must be upgraded or replaced; police devices will cost more because they require technicians certified for LEAN‑certified equipment. The labor contract covers installation and configuration; the vendor list and pricing were presented to justify the not‑to‑exceed amount, and commissioners approved the contract by voice vote. Staff noted the labor line is separate from hardware procurement and departments that cannot absorb costs will seek budget amendments.

Next steps: procurement staff will finalize purchasing and scheduling; IT staff and VC3 will develop an implementation schedule to minimize operational disruption while meeting security and compatibility requirements.