HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2021-089
City Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: August 23, 2021
To: City Council
Through: Janette Bower, City Manager
From: Tyler Florence, Director of Parks & Recreation
Agenda Item: Resolution 2021-089: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase a Ventrac
Sidewalk Snow Vehicle Plus Accessories from Totem Equipment and Supply
in the Amount of $26,235 and Appropriating Funds
Background and justification:
Parks & Recreation is tasked with clearing snow from certain City properties, including the City Hall
parking lot, the Library and Annex parking lot and sidewalk, the Boys & Girls Club parking lot and
sidewalk, Resurrection Campground, the lagoon boardwalk, 2nd Lake, and various other sidewalks and
trails. This a labor-intensive task that requires the right tool for the job. We currently use a mix of
Toolcats, snowblowers, and shovels depending on the amount of snow, location, and accessibility.
There is a significant gap in our capabilities, however, and that is the ability to clear snow from tight
access corridors, such as the lagoon boardwalk, and clearing snow from icy surfaces that cannot support
the weight of the comparably much heavier Toolcat. We currently have to snowblow and/or shovel these
areas, which takes an inordinate amount of time and produces inconsistent results due to the lack of
mechanical force necessary to achieve an even surface or to effectively clear snow that has already
undergone a freeze/thaw cycle.
A Ventrac SSV would allow us to clear these areas more efficiently, consistently, and would produce
superior results. It can also be used to clear snow from all of the other areas we're responsible for. Our
colleagues at Soldotna Parks & Rec use this equipment, and they are very satisfied with their
performance. Procuring a Ventrac SSV would fill in the gap in our snow clearing capabilities and would
significantly enhance snow clearing operations.
Parks & Recreation has $40,000 budgeted in the Motor Pool Fund for the purchase of a truck. Instead of
purchasing a truck, recommend purchasing a Ventrac plus accessories and using the leftover funds to fix
the engine on our older Toolcat.
Consistency checklist:
Comprehensive Plan: Chapter 3.4.2
Strategic Plan: Page 4
Other: N/A
Fiscal note: No appropriations required. Total cost is $26,235 for 2021. $40,000 was approved as
part of the 2021 budget for the purchase of a truck. The truck will not be purchased, but in its place a
Ventrac Sidewalk Snow Vehicle will be purchased instead. Remaining funds ($13,765) will be used
to fix the engine on the departments older Toolcat.
Funding is from: 03000-000-8103 (Motor Pool Capital Equipment)
Finance Department approval:
Attorney Review:
Yes No Not applicable
Recommendation
City Council adoption of Resolution 2021-089.