Agenda Item Wording:
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Purchase of a Compact Multi-Purpose Bike Lane Sweeper - Authorize the purchase of a Multihog compact bike lane sweeper from Municipal Maintenance Equipment Company of Sacramento through the Sourcewell Cooperative Contract in the amount of $190,750 and appropriate $200,000 to cover the cost of the purchase and necessary up-fitting.
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Prepared by: Jason Serpa, Public Works Manager, jason.serpa@visalia.gov, 559-713-4533; Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, nick.bartsch@visalia.gov, 559-713-4052.
Department Recommendation: Authorize the purchase of a diesel-powered Multihog CV350 compact bike lane sweeper from Municipal Maintenance Equipment (MME) Company of Sacramento, CA through the Sourcewell Cooperative Contract (111522-MUL) for $190,750 and appropriate $200,000 to allow for the purchase and installation of additional safety accessories.
Summary:
The City of Visalia currently has a total of 26.5 street miles of various bike lanes and bike paths throughout the City. These bike lanes can vary from a Class I unprotected lane to a Class IV protected lane that requires a delineator. In reviewing the City’s contracted street sweeper’s difficulty in fitting and sweeping some of the Class IV delineated bike lanes and trails, it is staff’s recommendation to purchase a dedicated compact bike lane sweeper to replace the need of the contractor to fulfill the work. This equipment will be shared by Public Works, Parks and Recreation and other departments as needed.
Background Discussion:
Within the last decade, the City of Visalia has installed many delineated Class IV bike lanes throughout the City to continue to fulfill the implementation goals of the Active Transportation Plan. Of the 26.5 street miles of bike lanes within the City limits, Class IV bike lanes currently account for 2.8 street miles and the City already has plans to construct 17.6 more street miles of protected bike lanes within the future plan. In addition, existing various bike lane trails account for 2.9 more additional street miles of area to be swept.
The classification and configuration of a Class IV bike lane necessitates a vertical safety barrier, often in the form of a delineator or curb, to separate vehicular traffic from the bike lane. This creates an obstacle for street sweeping operations. The proposed bike lane sweeper that is readily available for purchase, can fit in areas as little as 47 inches wide and has brooms that can extend up to a maximum width of 74 inches wide. At just over 6 feet, this offers much flexibility in the implementation and design on roadways that may have limited space, while still providing the State approved bike lane facility. This sweeper is able to sweep in between the delineators, not requiring additional manpower to blow the material into the sweeping lane. In addition to being able to provide service to small width bike lanes, this sweeper will be able to maneuver protected bike lane intersections.
Both engineering and Public Works staff, in conjunction with TCAG, were present at an on-street demonstration of the City’s bike lanes. This coupled with a review by the Fleet Maintenance Division gave staff confidence to recommend that the Multihog CV350 can do the work needed. Staff is of the opinion that this sweeper’s mobility and multi-use can be applied to further applications in the future.
The Multihog CV 350 Compact Sweeper is specifically designed for constrained urban facilities such as protected bike lanes, pedestrian areas, alleys, and multi-use pathways. Procurement of this sweeper will allow the City to:
1. Improve Public Safety - Regular sweeping removes debris and obstructions that can result in bicycle crashes and public safety hazards.
2. Meet Growing Maintenance Needs - Visalia’s Class IV network and trail infrastructure continue to expand, increasing the service demand on Public Works maintenance forces. Specifically, delineated bike lane facilities will increase the cost of already existing bike lane services due to additional effort required.
3. Increase Operational Flexibility - The compact design allows operation in facilities where existing street sweepers cannot safely or effectively operate, and to respond to urgent situations as they arrise.
4. Reduce Outsourced Costs - Performing this work in-house decreases reliance on contract sweeping services and improves scheduling control.
5. Support environmental and grant compliance where applicable by ensuring bikeways and trails remain clean, safe, and accessible.
Fiscal Impact:
At the purchase cost of $190,750, this purchase will require an appropriation of $200,000 to allow for the purchase of additional Fleet recommended safety lighting and other accessories. The funding for the purchase of the Multihog CV 350 will be pass through funds from Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) using the Measure R Trail Maintenance Fund (132).
Annual Maintenance costs are estimated to be a total of $7,214.00 per year, including regular maintenance and broom replacements. There will be some offsetting costs if the street sweeper were to be implemented on delineated bike lanes citywide, rather than including them under the current contracted street sweeping contract. Standard non-delineated bike lanes are swept as a part of a standard street, but with the change to (addition of) delineated bike lanes, an additional pass will be required at an added cost. While the exact cost impact of adding the proposed narrower delineated bike lanes to the current sweeping contract is unknown due to the necessary changes in method and equipment needed by the contractor, the offsetting cost has been estimated based on the current cost of sweeping a standard bike lane. The contracted cost of sweeping the delineated bike lanes may be higher due to the limited access to standard equipment. The calculated offset attributed to the current and future bike lane sweeping costs of Class IV bike lanes amounts to $37,840 per year, as shown in the figure below. Staff is continuing to evaluate the ability for this sweeper to also be utilized on other trails throughout the City and whether existing staff can perform this work, or if a part-time employee will be needed.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Choose not to purchase a bike lane sweeper and continue to utilize contracted services. This is not recommended as operational expenses continue to increase as the City adds more Class IV bike lanes throughout the City and there is an opportunity to provide operational flexibility and cost savings by performing this work internally.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager to purchase a Multihog CV350 compact bike lane sweeper from Municipal Maintenance Equipment (MME) Company of Sacramento, CA through the Sourcewell Cooperative Contract (111522-MUL) for $190,750 and appropriate $200,000 to allow for the purchase and installation of additional safety accessories.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 12/15/2025
Attachments:
Sourcewell Pricing Quote - MultiHog CV 350 from MME, Inc
Sourcewell Contract 111522
Vehicle Purchase Authorization Form