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Board authorizes range to buy skid-steer after staff reports unmetered connection and equipment problems
Summary
Public Works reported finding an unbilled water connection on a city line, higher manual meter reads due to cold-weather battery failures, and mechanical problems with trucks and a Bobcat; the board approved a $43,000–$47,000 authorization range to pursue a skid-steer replacement.
Public Works staff told the board it had identified multiple operational issues including manual meter reads, a discovered water connection drawing from a city line with a separate meter system, and several pieces of aging equipment needing repair or replacement.
Staff reported 202 meter entries for the month with roughly 195 readable by the new system and about seven estimates; batteries affected by cold weather and reporting delays explained some discrepancies. During fieldwork crews discovered a small building on Lake City Road tied to the city’s water line but served by a different meter system. "It was actually filling that up down there so that's actually shut off," staff said, and the board was told the connection may previously have gone unbilled for years. Staff said the connection is now shut off and the situation is under investigation.
Public Works also described mechanical problems with two dump trucks (including a split frame/receiver issue being handled under warranty), a Bobcat with recent diagnostic codes whose condition suggested operator abuse, and routine pavement patching that has required manual labor and six tons of material to date.
To address equipment gaps, staff proposed purchasing a new skid-steer loader and asked the board to pre-authorize a purchase within a dollar range so staff could complete the trade-in and procurement if a dealer honored prior pricing. The board approved a motion authorizing staff to pursue the purchase within approximately $43,000–$47,000, with a second and a voice vote to carry the motion.
Public Works said the new loader would reduce manual labor on street and brush work and allow crews to tackle deferred projects more efficiently. The board did not provide a specific purchase contract at the meeting; staff will return with final vendor terms if a deal is available.
