HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 - BA-035 - Utilites Division Truck PurchaseFebruary 8, 2000
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
ITEM NO. 16
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Public Works Department
General Services Department
SUBJECT: TRUCK PURCHASE FOR PUBLIC WORKS UTILITIES DIVISION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Approve an additional vehicle for the Public Works Utilities Division and authorize
the purchase of a 1 -ton truck with utility body.
2. Approve the attached budget amendment to transfer $25,000 from the Water
Enterprise Fund Utilities Account (5500 -8110) to the Equipment Replacement
Account (5500 -8024) for the purchase of the truck and a transfer of $18,000 from
the Special Departmental Supplies Account (5500 -8200) to the Equipment N.O.C.
Account (5500- 9300).
DISCUSSION:
An additional 1 -ton truck is needed in the Utilities Division, Water Quality /System
Services Section, to accommodate expanded duties required by a State mandated
flushing program. The new vehicle will also be used to expand the valve turning
program so that each of the 5,400 valves can be operated at least once a year. The
Utilities Division currently has 34 vehicles that are utilized by a total of 59 field workers,
which include full -time and seasonal staff. There are no spare vehicles available that
can accommodate the special valve turning equipment needed for the expanded
programs.
The State Department of Health Services, Drinking Water Section, performs a yearly
review of the City's water operation. The State evaluates the City's compliance with the
Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and the State's rules and regulations for operating a
domestic water system. In the January 6, 2000, review report, the State has indicated
that the City's water system is well operated, maintained and in good overall condition.
The State did cite one area that needed to be improved. The State requires that the
City establish an annual flushing program on the City's "dead -end" water mains.
There are approximately 285 "dead -end" mains in the City. A flushing program requires
that each one of these main locations be visited at least once a year and be turned on
so water can circulate through the dead end section of pipe. The task will fall under the
responsibility of the Water Quality /System Services Section. This section has 6 full -
time employees, currently using 4 vehicles. Three of the trucks are used primarily for 1-
SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF NEW TRUCK FOR UTILITIES DIVISION
February 8, 2000
Page 2
person activities, such as cross - connection inspections, general water system
programs, utility dig alert markings and customer service calls. The remaining truck is
used by a 2- person crew for valve operations, contractor shutdowns, and other system
services. An additional truck with valve turning capabilities in this section will allow the
flushing program to be added without increasing personnel. With the help of seasonal
employees, this additional truck will also allow the expansion of valve turning program.
There are 5,400 valves in the water system and currently they are only operated once
every 2 to 3 years. The goal is to have them operated once a year to check their
condition and reliability for when they are needed to shut down the system usually in
emergencies. The vehicles in the other sections of the Utilities Division are fully utilized
and do not have the valve turning capabilities needed for the flushing and valve turning
programs.
The estimated purchase price of a 1 -ton truck with a utility body is $25,000 including
tax. Funds will be transferred from the Water Enterprise Fund, Account No. 5500 -8110
(Utilities) into Account No. 5500 -8024 (Equipment Replacement). These funds are
available as a result of energy savings realized by participation in a water management
program offered through the Metropolitan Water District and the Orange County Water
District. The valve turning device will be purchased and installed separately at a
$15,000 to $18,000 cost which will be funded with a transfer from the Water Fund
Special Departmental Supplies, Account No. 5500 -8200, to the Water Fund Capital
Equipment N.O.C., Account No. 5500 -9300. This machine has a 20 to 25 -year life and
will be used on several vehicles before it will need to be replaced in the future.
The General Services Department will coordinate the purchase of the vehicle with the
Purchasing Section of the Administrative Services Department and also coordinate the
installation of the valve turning tool on the truck. Since this is an addition to the Utilities
Division fleet of vehicles, the past contributions have not been made to the Vehicle
Replacement Fund to account for this vehicle. Therefore, the purchase price will be
funded from the Water Enterprise Fund. As soon as the vehicle is in service, monthly
contributions to the Vehicle Replacement Fund will be made to provide for its
replacement in 8 to 10 years.
Respectfully submi d
DON WEBB
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
Attachment: Budget Amendment
DAVID E. NIEDERHAUS
GENERAL SERVICES DIRECTOR
UMIS_t\SYS\ Users \PBW \SharedlCOUNCIL \Fy99 -00 \February-08 \Utilities Truck Purchase.doc
City of Newport Beach NO. BA- 035
BUDGET AMENDMENT
1999 -00 AMOUNT: $a3,000.00
FECT ON BUDGETARY FUND BALANCE:
Increase Revenue Estimates Increase in Budgetary Fund Balance
Increase Budget Appropriations AND Decrease in Budgetary Fund Balance
X Transfer Budget Appropriations X No effect on Budgetary Fund Balance
SOURCE:
from existing budget appropriations
from additional estimated revenues
from reserved fund balance
EXPLANATION:
This budget amendment is requested to provide for the following:
To transfer funds from the Water Enterprise Fund to the Vehicle Replacement Account for the purchase of a truck
and valve turning device.
There have been no prior budget amendments.
ACCOUNTING ENTRY:
Amount
BUDGETARY FUND BALANCE Debit Credit
Fund Account Description
010 3605 Fund Balance Control
NEVENUE APPROPRIATIONS (3601)
Fund /Division Account Description
EXPENDITURE APPROPRIATIONS (3603)
Description
Division
Number
5500
Public Works - Water Utilities
Account
Number
8110
Utilities Noc
$25,000.00
Division
Number
5500
Public Works - Water Utilities
Account
Number
8024
Equipment Replacement
$25,000.00
Division
Number
5500
Public Works - Water Utilities
Account
Number
8200
Special Dept Supplies
$18,000.00
Division
Number
5500
Public Works - Water Utilities
Account
Number
9300
Equipment
$18,000.00
• Automatic System Entry.
Signed:
4anclal�Approval:
Finance Director
Date
ied:
d0,0
Administrative A roval:
City Manager
Date
Signed:
City Council
Approval: City Clerk
Date