Memorandum 13-037 Purchase of Steamer Truck for Public Works

CITY OF HOMER
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

  Jan C. Jonker, Superintendent       Telephone: (907)235-3170
  3575 Heath St.            Fax:   (907)235-3145
  Homer, Alaska 99603                 EMAIL :     jjonker@ci.homer.ak.us

M E M O R A N D U M 13-037

To: Walt Wrede, City Manager
From: Jan Jonker, PW Superintendent
Thru: Carey Meyer, PW Director
Date: Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Subject:  Used Truck Purchase for New Steamer

We have finally taken possession of our new 2012 vapor steamer unit.  This unit was purchased as a backup to our existing steamer unit which frequently cannot keep up with the workload that it is needed to be performed. We also found out last year how the community suffers when our only steamer breaks down as spring arrives.

This unit was intended to serve as a back up to our existing truck mounted unit. Public Works does not have a truck in which to mount the new steamer unit to allow it to be used. Based on the type of winter that we have had (extreme glaciation), and warnings that Homer should expect more winter rain and ice formation in ditches and culverts, a second truck mounted unit will be a great asset to the community.

Our existing unit is mainly used for fire hydrant steaming/thawing (preventative maintenance on the 370 hydrants on the system).  To keep these hydrants from freezing and breaking our program includes the steaming/thawing of these (3) times each during the winter months. This is a full time job during the winter.  Our steamer also is needed and used for thawing culverts and drainages and also thawing frozen water and/or sewer services which precludes it from fire hydrant steaming.

With our ever expanding infrastructure it would be of great benefit to City residents and this department to have two mobile steaming/thawing units available for use.

We have researched the availability of a used truck for this purpose and have not found a suitable one in the state of Alaska.  We have identified several units in the lower 48 and one being in the Seattle area @ $27,500.  Below is a proposed budget for the purchase of a used truck and associated needed appurtenances.

1. Used truck purchase  $30,000.00
2. Freight to Alaska (est)     5,000.00
3. Fabricated 750-900 gal water tank    2,500.00
4. Side door purchase/install    1,500.00
5. Insulate/sheet interior     2,500.00
6. Work lights (interior & exterior)       300.00
7. Heat (interior)         500.00
8. Strobe light         150.00
  Estimated Total Budget $42,450.00

Recommendation

The City Council pass an ordinance amending the 2013 budget to authorize the purchase of a truck and appurtenances as described above. As this equipment is used for both general fund and water/wastewater fund work, the Council should fund this purchase equally from the PW Fleet Reserve Fund, Water Reserve Fund & Sewer Reserve Fund @ 1/3 each.

• PW Reserve Fund 152-383  $14,150.00
• Water Reserve Fund 256-378  $14,150.00
• Sewer Reserve Fund 256-379  $14,150.00