Agenda Item Wording:
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Purchase a compact pickup truck for the Wastewater Pretreatment Division - Approve the purchase of a compact pickup truck for the Wastewater Pretreatment Division from Giant Chevrolet in the amount of $34,227.50 and appropriate $38,000 from the Wastewater Fund.
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Deadline for Action: 10/21/2024
Submitting Department: Public Works
Contact Name and Phone Number: Ben Litwack, Public Works Manager, (559)713-4671, ben.litwack@visalia.city; Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, (559)713-4052, nick.bartsch@visalia.city
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that Council approve the purchase of a compact pickup truck for the Pretreatment Division from Giant Chevrolet in the amount of $34,227.50 and appropriate $38,000 from the Wastewater Fund.
Background Discussion:
The City of Visalia’s Public Works Department has hired a third Industrial Waste Inspector (IWI) to enhance its capacity for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the City’s wastewater and stormwater regulations. The addition of this position was initially approved in response to the increasing demands on wastewater treatment infrastructure due to the growing population and industrial activity within the City limits.
At the time of approving the third IWI position, the expectation was that a new vehicle would be procured to accommodate the additional staff member. However, due to turnover within the division, the third position was not immediately filled and the third truck was overlooked in the development of the Division’s budget. As a result, with the recent hiring of the new IWI, the Industrial Waste Inspection team has been operating with only two trucks, which are fully utilized by the two existing inspectors. These vehicles are essential for their daily tasks, including site inspections, sample collection, equipment transportation, and responding to spills or other environmental concerns throughout the city. With the recent onboarding of the third inspector, it is now crucial to address this oversight and equip the new team member with a dedicated vehicle to ensure they can effectively carry out their duties without delay or resource-sharing conflicts.
The procurement of a compact pickup truck for the newly hired Industrial Waste Inspector is essential to maintaining operational efficiency and ensuring that all inspectors are equipped to respond to the city’s needs promptly. The following points outline the justification for this purchase:
1. Operational Efficiency: Without an additional vehicle, the new inspector will be required to share a truck with the other inspectors. This will lead to scheduling conflicts, delayed responses to urgent issues, and an overall reduction in the team’s effectiveness. A dedicated vehicle will ensure that all inspectors can work independently and address concerns as they arise.
2. Expanded Coverage: As the City expands, the geographical area that each inspector must cover has also increased. Having a third vehicle will allow the inspection team to distribute their workload more evenly, reducing travel times and enabling more thorough inspections across all areas.
3. Safety and Compliance: Inspectors frequently transport equipment, hazardous materials, and samples that require secure and appropriate vehicle storage. A dedicated compact pickup truck will ensure that these items are transported safely, reducing the risk of contamination or spillage that could result from overloading or improper storage in a shared vehicle.
4. Cost-Effective Solution: A compact pickup truck is an economical choice that meets the specific needs of the Industrial Waste Inspector. It provides the necessary storage space and durability required for daily operations while being cost-effective in terms of purchase price, fuel efficiency, and maintenance costs.
Staff reached out to four different car dealerships and received only two quotes for a Chevrolet Colorado. Giant Chevrolet of Visalia, California came in with the lowest quote at a price of $34,227.50. Ed Dena’s Chevrolet of Dinuba also provided a quote with a price of $34,835.16. While communication was established with Martens Chevrolet and Stone Chevrolet, neither managed to generate and submit a quote despite multiple phone calls and email correspondence.
Fiscal Impact:
Staff is requesting to appropriate $38,000 from the Wastewater Fund (431) for the purchase of a compact pickup truck ($34,227.50) and the necessary accessories (light bar, toolbox, etc.). Any remaining balance will be released back to the 431 Wastewater Fund.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to approve the purchase of a compact pickup truck for the Pretreatment Division from Giant Chevrolet in the amount of $34,227.50 and appropriate $38,000 from the Wastewater Fund.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: 2024 Colorado spec sheet - City of Visalia
Colorado - City of Visalia purchase order
Ed Dena Colorado
Marten Email 1
Stone Email 1
Stone Email 2
Stone Email 3
Stone Email 4