Commissioner urges green alternatives as Forest Park authorizes Pelican street sweeper

Forest Park commissioners on June 27 authorized purchase of a 2022 Pelican street sweeper but heard a request from Commissioner Vog to continue investigating electric or hybrid alternatives and potential outside funding.

Commissioner Vog, who said she and staff had researched options after the item was previously tabled, told the council the village should weigh environmental benefits against the higher cost and limited availability of green sweepers. "It's given Director Stella a better idea of what's available and when and what those costs are and who distributes them and provides maintenance locally," she said, adding that staff would continue to "proactively explore green opportunities and weigh their environmental benefits along with financial impacts."

Officials reported that, in the short term, no locally available electric or hybrid sweepers fit within the village budget and that support or additional funding sources were not yet identified. Despite that, the council approved Ordinance O-29-22 authorizing purchase of the Pelican sweeper; staff were directed to continue pursuing funding leads and check availability of green alternatives.

The vote was recorded in the meeting roll call with affirmative responses from Commissioners Burns, Maxam, Nero, Vog and Mayor Rory Hoskins. Public comment was not recorded on the procurement item.