Consideration and Approval of Contract:  Approve the Cooperative Purchase Contract for two (2) Hydraulic Grader Snow Wings from Empire Machinery in the amount of $131,823.44.

1. Approve the Cooperative Purchase Contract for two (2) Hydraulic Grader Snow Wings from Empire Machinery in the amount of $131,823.44, through NIPA City of Tucson contract pricing #161534; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

The Public Works - Streets Section is responsible for the timely snow removal and added ice traction response on our local transportation network. Response to snow events is critical to maintain the safest travel possible on City streets. These Hydraulic Grader Snow Wings are being considered as a replacement of an existing snowplow truck which has met milestone requirements for replacement and has been recommended and approved by the Fleet Management Committee and for the requested action.

This equipment purchase is funded with Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) Acct# 040-06-161-0612-6-4401 for a budgeted amount of $131,823.44.

Transportation and Public Infrastructure - Deliver quality community assets and continue to advocate and implement a highly performing multi-model transportation system.

Yes, City Council has discussed during snow operations planning and past budget retreats the need to provide equipment and staffing recommendations that are consistent with policy objectives and Public Works best practices. These Hydraulic Grader Snow Wings are an attachment to the Council approved graders which were purchased from the FY20 budget, Approved on 04/20/2021. The equipment is critical to the full function of snow operations when utilizing motor graders.

1. Approve the Cooperative Purchase Contract for two (2) Hydraulic Grader Snow Wings from Empire Machinery in the amount of $131,823.44; or
2. Do not approve the purchase.

Snow operations are a substantial element of the Streets work program. The city’s Snow Operations Manual maps the entire community by zone. Equipment and operators are tasked with the removal of snow from over 700 lane miles of city owned roadways. This operation can last a couple days to over a week depending on the snow event or weather conditions. Motor graders with wings are critical in snow plowing response operations. Motor graders access areas that plow trucks cannot and or should not be, they have the ability to move larger amounts of snow reducing the redundancy of plowing for each road plowed.

Caterpillar Inc. holds a Local Government Purchasing Cooperative Contract #161534-01 with the City of Tucson Procurement Department, Public Sector to supply materials and/or services, which was awarded through a competitive and open procurement process. The City of Flagstaff procurement team utilized this cooperative contract to get Public Works the best possible price for their purchase.

The purchase of these Hydraulic Grader Snow Wings is critical for Public Works - Streets to perform its annual snow operations response.

There are no expanded financial considerations with this purchase. It is proposed to be fully funded in the FY22 budget utilizing highway User Revenue Funds (HURF).

A typical Flagstaff winter season will see multiple snow events produce over 100” of annual snowfall and many nights of freezing temperatures. Our service delivery is of high quality and as timely as possible. Clearing roadways enables our public to move freely around the community and travel safely to their destinations. Our local school routes and transit network are of the highest priority and are maintained throughout the duration of a storm event. These wings will help expedite the snow plowing process by allowing for more snow to be moved in one pass, eliminating the need for redundant passes. This benefits the community as the equipment will help meet the city mission to have roads open and passible in a timely fashion.

Winter Storms are a significant source of citizen interest with the importance of having the tools to perform the duties of the position. Having the right tools will ensure the safest possible travel for the cycling and motoring community. Community stakeholders such as NAIPTA and the local school systems have been able to deliver safe transportation of community member due to the operation efforts of City response efforts.