Consideration and Approval of Contract:  Approve the Cooperative Purchase Contract with Empire Southwest, LLC for the purchase of one (1) CAT 938M Wheel Loader in the amount of $289,900.87.

1. Approve the Cooperative Purchase Contract with Empire Southwest, LLC for the purchase of one (1) CAT 938M Wheel Loader in the amount of $289,900.87; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

Streets operations are reliant on material movement, whether that be loading and hauling snow from downtown, or stockpiling cinders and loading dirt to be hauled to unpaved roads for maintenance blading operations. Front-end loaders are used often in day to day Streets operation and for storm response.  In the past year, we have seen significant use in flooding events including the Museum Flood response efforts. One missing component of Streets operations is the lack of a large easily mobile forklift. This purchase will provide the City the capacity to interchange buckets, forklift, and snowblower attachments. Streets has worked to identify new equipment to maximize the use of equipment by ordering these types of items with interchangeable attachments. This will allow Streets to be more versatile and able to respond more quickly. This new equipment will also add capacity in operations Streets currently cannot complete with existing equipment.

This equipment purchase is funded with Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF) Acct# 040-06-161-0614-6-4401 for a budgeted amount of $289,900.87.

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

This loader will enhance Streets' performance by supporting snow plowing and clean-up operations, disaster response operations, and road repair operations. Such a purchase directly aligns with the City’s commitment to ensuring the highest level of service possible for our residents and visitors. These service commitments have been discussed at several public City Council meetings where public comment is always welcomed.

1. Approve the Cooperative Purchase Contract for one (1) CAT 938M Wheel Loader from Empire Southwest, LLC in the amount of $289,900.87; or
2. Do not approve the use of the underlying cooperative purchase contract and direct Streets to separately procure the equipment directly; or
3. Do not approve the purchase of the equipment.

Streets operations are reliant on material movement, tasks can be loading and hauling snow from downtown, stockpiling cinders, loading dirt to be hauled to unpaved roads for maintenance blading operations. Front-end loaders are crucial in monsoon storm response and in particular, the Museum Flood response efforts.  In 2021, over 11 thousand tons of debris was removed primarily by loaders in the Spruce wash.  One missing component of Streets operations is the lack of a large easily mobile forklift. The purchase of this loader model is recommended as it has the capacity to interchange buckets, forklift, and snowblower attachments. As Streets identifies new equipment, it is important to use equipment with interchangeable attachments so that Streets can be versatile and able to respond more quickly.    

 

The purchase of one (1) CAT 938M Front-end Loader will assist Streets daily operation, snow operations, and disaster operations.

There are no expanded financial considerations with this purchase. It is proposed to be fully funded in the FY2021-2022 budget utilizing Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF).