Consent 1.A.1.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 12/19/2011
- TITLE
- Purchase of Hybrid Bookmobile - Bid Award
- PRESENTED BY:
- Bill Cochran
- Department:
- Library
Presentation:
Information
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
The current bookmobile is due for replacement, and has been increasingly showing signs of age with increased need for repairs. This vehicle was purchased in 1995 and its replacement was previously delayed, due to significant repairs extending its usable life. A planned new bookmobile will include a hybrid-diesel engine, which will provide considerable savings in fuel costs.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
Council may:
- Approve purchase of a new bookmobile; or
- Delay purchase of a new bookmobile.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Replacement funds are included in the ERP and the City has received Federal stimulus funding for eco-friendly enhancements. Not replacing the vehicle would forfeit the stimulus funding, and lead to increased loss of library services due to vehicle repair needs.
BACKGROUND
The Library’s bookmobile serves schools, senior meal sites and neighborhoods around the community by direct provision of services onsite, and with a selection of all of the types of materials offered at the main library. The current vehicle was purchased as per the commitment to the community during the successful 1994 Library mill levy campaign and is now due for replacement.
The 1995 bookmobile was originally due for replacement in the Equipment Replacement Plan several years ago, but at that time, the engine had recently been replaced, and purchasing a new bookmobile was delayed at that time. It is now due for replacement, and has been increasingly showing signs of age with increased need for repairs.
The City was awarded Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funding, and part of that was designated toward a replacement bookmobile in order to cover additional costs that would enhance a conventional diesel engine with diesel-hybrid technology. It is intended that the Library’s vehicle serve as a pilot project for integrating this technology into the City’s fleet.
Additionally, provisions have been made and accepted in the FY12 Equipment Replacement Plan for the Library to retain the current vehicle. The intent in retaining this vehicle is to use it as a pilot branch library to test potential future locations in the Heights area of Billings.
The 1995 bookmobile was originally due for replacement in the Equipment Replacement Plan several years ago, but at that time, the engine had recently been replaced, and purchasing a new bookmobile was delayed at that time. It is now due for replacement, and has been increasingly showing signs of age with increased need for repairs.
The City was awarded Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funding, and part of that was designated toward a replacement bookmobile in order to cover additional costs that would enhance a conventional diesel engine with diesel-hybrid technology. It is intended that the Library’s vehicle serve as a pilot project for integrating this technology into the City’s fleet.
Additionally, provisions have been made and accepted in the FY12 Equipment Replacement Plan for the Library to retain the current vehicle. The intent in retaining this vehicle is to use it as a pilot branch library to test potential future locations in the Heights area of Billings.
CONSISTENCY WITH ADOPTED POLICIES OR PLANS
- Equipment Replacement Plan
- Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant approved by City Council
SUMMARY
Summary of bids received will be presented at the December 19, 2011 Council meeting.