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CITY
OF
PUBLIC
WORKS TELEPHONE (907)235-3170
MEMORANDUM 09-49
TO:
FROM:
DATE: April 21, 2009
SUBJECT: Snow Blower Purchase
Authorize Additional
Funding
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The current 2009 operating budget established a budget of $65,000 for the purchase of a new snow blower. Either Public Works under estimated the cost of this equipment or the price has gone up considerably; because we find that a new snow blower runs $125,000.
The purchase of a new snow blower was one of the pieces of equipment that was anticipated to be needed as part of the annexation transition. The purchase of equipment needed to expand road service into the annexation area was to be completed over a three year period. The new snow blower was scheduled for the third year, but budget cuts at that time forced the purchase to be postponed.
As you remember, annexation incorporated an additional 21.59 miles of roads for maintenance. (14.70 miles annexed and 6.89 miles in original city limits that were added).
This equipment is needed:
1) The existing blower is over 20 years old. Parts are becoming more difficult to acquire and the equipment is becoming more and more unreliable,
2) This equipment is used primarily for snow pick-up on Pioneer Avenue, Heath Street and Poopdeck Street (these are the main arterials in Homer, with the highest snow removal priority), but is and will become increasingly important as more and more curb and gutter streets are constructed.
3) This equipment is also used in rural residential areas (mainly higher up in the annexed area) to blow back the snow berms after heavy snowfalls and drifting; when the roads become narrow and marginally passable by residents and emergency vehicles.
Recommendation: By ordinance, provide for an additional appropriation of $60,000 (for a total of $125,000) from the Public Works Reserve account for the purchase of a new two-stage snow blower and authorize the City Manager to execute all appropriate documents.