Council ratifies emergency repairs to VACON hydro‑excavation unit, staff to check insurance and replacement timing

Mayor Lillia V. Stevens presided as the council ratified emergency repairs to a VACON hydro‑excavation unit after the public works director reported an inspection found a broken auto‑greaser line and worn internal fans.

The public works director said EJ Equipment quoted about $47,691 for the repairs and recommended fixing the unit so the city could retain full trade‑in value for its replacement. “They had a quote of 47,691 and some change for the repairs,” the public works director said, and added that repairs would restore the machine’s hydro‑excavation capability while a new unit’s delivery was estimated for Nov. 20.

Councilors asked practical questions about service continuity and costs. Ald. Moss asked whether the repairs would take two to three weeks; the public works director confirmed repair turnaround was estimated at two to three weeks and noted the city can still perform jetting operations while the fan is repaired. Ald. McIntyre asked whether the fan issue might be covered by insurance; staff said they would check with the city’s insurance administrator and report back.

Council members also discussed fleet strategy and backup options. The public works director estimated a new replacement unit’s price at roughly $630,000, and said staff prefers contracting for occasional outside equipment rather than keeping a second machine idle, noting maintenance and storage costs for a seldom‑used backup. The director added that retaining trade‑in value was a major factor in recommending repair rather than taking a trade‑deduction.

Ben Smith moved to ratify the emergency repair authorization; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Next steps: staff will investigate whether the damage could be covered by insurance and will monitor the delivery and repair timelines; no change to long‑term fleet policy was adopted at the meeting.