Agenda Item Wording:
title
Purchase of John Deere 624 P-tier wheel loader - Approve the purchase of a replacement John Deere 624 P-tier wheel loader for the Water Reclamation Facility from Pape Machinery in the amount of $271,615.28.
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Agenda Date: 09/08/2026
Prepared by:
Ben Litwack, Public Works Manager, 559-713-4671, ben.litwack@visalia.gov;
Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, 559-713-4052, nick.bartsch@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the purchase of a replacement John Deere 624 P-tier wheel loader for the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) from Pape Machinery, Inc. in the amount of $271,615.28 utilizing Sourcewell Cooperative Contract No. 011723-JDC.
Summary:
The Public Works Department is requesting authorization to replace vehicle 238921, a John Deere 624K wheel loader currently used at the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility (WRF). The loader is primarily used for moving, stockpiling, loading, and handling biosolids generated through the wastewater treatment process and is an important piece of equipment for ongoing WRF operations.
Pape Machinery, Inc. has provided a quote for a new John Deere 624 P-Tier Wheel Loader utilizing Sourcewell Cooperative Contract No. 011723-JDC. The total purchase price, including applicable sales tax and tire tax, is $271,615.28.
Funding for the purchase is available in the Wastewater Fund (431) Capital Budget under Equipment Replacement Project EQ0301.
Background Discussion:
The Visalia Water Reclamation Facility utilizes heavy equipment as part of its daily solids handling operations. The current John Deere 624K wheel loader, is used primarily for moving, stockpiling, loading, and otherwise handling biosolids generated at the facility. Reliable access to a wheel loader is necessary to efficiently manage biosolids and support continued WRF operations.
The City's off-road diesel equipment is subject to the California Air Resources Board's In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation and is reported through CARB's Diesel Off-Road Online Reporting System (DOORS). CARB compliance is based on the emissions tier, model year, and horsepower of the engines in the City's regulated off-road fleet, rather than simply the age of the equipment.
The proposed John Deere 624 P-Tier is equipped with a Final Tier 4 diesel engine. For applicable medium and large fleets, CARB currently requires vehicles being added to an off-road fleet to be equipped with Tier 4 Final or cleaner engines. Accordingly, the proposed loader meets CARB's current requirements for newly added equipment.
Replacing the City's 2012 John Deere 624K with the Tier 4 Final loader also improves the emissions profile used in CARB's fleet-average compliance calculation. Because newer Tier 4 Final engines are assigned substantially lower emissions factors than older engines, replacing the existing loader reduces its contribution to the City's fleet-average emissions index and provides additional compliance margin for older equipment that remains in service. The existing loader is not being replaced because CARB specifically requires its retirement; rather, the vehicle has been determined by Fleet staff to be eligible for replacement and is rated in poor condition. Replacing it at this time with Tier 4 Final equipment allows the City to address an identified equipment replacement need while simultaneously improving its position for continued CARB compliance.
The proposed unit includes a 4.0-cubic-yard pin-on bucket and several options appropriate for its intended use at the WRF, including a debris package, maintenance and service package, auxiliary equipment package, and electrical corrosion prevention package. The quoted unit also includes a rear camera, JDLink telematics, joystick controls, radial tires, and other standard equipment.
Sourcewell cooperative contracts allow participating public agencies to utilize competitively solicited and established contract pricing rather than conducting a separate solicitation for the same equipment. Pape Machinery, Inc. provided the City with pricing for the proposed John Deere 624 P-tier wheel loader under Sourcewell Contract No. 011723-JDC.
Replacement of vehicle 238921 will maintain the WRF's ability to efficiently perform biosolids handling activities while replacing a unit that has reached its scheduled replacement eligibility and has been rated in poor condition by Fleet staff. Vehicle 238921 will be sold at auction once replaced.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: The total cost of the John Deere loader, including sales tax, is $271,615.28. Funding for the purchase is available in the Wastewater Fund (431) Capital Budget, Equipment Replacement Project EQ0301. The budget for this project is $381,500. No additional appropriation is requested as part of this action.
The replacement unit will perform the same general functions as the existing loader and is not expected to result in a significant increase in ongoing operating costs beyond normal fuel, preventive maintenance, and equipment repair expenses. Replacement of the existing unit may also reduce repair and maintenance costs associated with continued operation of equipment that has been rated in poor condition.
Prior Council Action: None
Alternatives:
1. Direct staff to continue operating vehicle 238921: This is not recommended because the loader performs an important role in the WRF’s biosolids handling operations, is due for replacement according to the City’s vehicle replacement policy, and has been determined by the Fleet division to be in poor condition. Continued operation will also impact the City’s ability to maintain CARB compliance.
2. Direct staff to conduct a separate competitive solicitation: This is not recommended because the Sourcewell contract was established through a competitive public solicitation already and provides the City with an existing cooperative procurement mechanism and established contract pricing.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the purchase of a John Deere 624 P-tier wheel loader from Pape Machinery in the amount of $271,615.28 utilizing the appropriate Sourcewell Cooperative Contract.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 09/08/2026
Attachments:
Quote
Detailed Quote w/ Sourcewell Discount
Sourcewell Contract no. 011723-JDC
Sourcewell Contract no. 011723-JDC Price Sheet
RFP 011723
Vehicle Purchase Authorization
Fleet Evaluation and Maintenance Costs
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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