HomeMy WebLinkAbout17 - Sewer Cleaning Truck PurchaseGWnE W F s yio np p erNLL
Council Agenda
Item No. 17
May 28, 2002
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: General Services Director
SUBJECT: Purchase of Sewer Cleaning Truck
Recommendation:
Waive City competitive bidding guidelines and approve the single source purchase of a
Vactor brand sewer cleaning truck from Haaker Equipment Company of Pomona at a
total cost of $285,049.40 including tax.
BackLyround:
The City maintains and operates five Vactor brand vacuum trucks. Two are used by the
General Services Department for storm drain and catch basin cleaning, and three are
operated by the Utilities Department in the Wastewater Division.
The largest of the Utilities Department's trucks is Unit 5504, a 1992 three -axle Vactor
truck. The unit is used by the Wastewater Division as its primary cleaning truck to clean
the sewer wet wells at each of the 20 wastewater pump stations. Additionally, it is the
primary main line cleaner because of the large capacity of the water and debris tanks
which allow staff to clean more facilities without unloading the debris. This Vactor is
also used on water main breaks to cleanup debris on site. A picture of Unit 5504 is
attached. The new truck will be similar in appearance.
The FY 2001 -02 Budget includes sufficient funding to replace this Vactor truck. Over the
past several months, staff has done extensive research preparing vacuum truck
specifications and reviewing equipment available for purchase from various
manufacturers.
City staff has come to the conclusion that the single source purchase of a Vactor vacuum
truck from Haaker Equipment Company of Pomona represents the best long -term
interests of the City. This decision is based on commonality of operations, parts, and
maintenance.
City purchasing guidelines allow the waiver of competitive bidding with Council
approval.
Discussion:
The General Services and Utilities Departments staffs believe the Vactor brand truck is
the best choice due to our maintenance and operating experiences with the Vactor brand
of vacuum trucks over the past 25 years. The new truck will operate, perform, and be
designed in a similar manner to the one currently in service, so the leaming curve for
both operators and maintenance personnel is significantly reduced. Parts commonality
will also be an asset. Additionally, the long -term durability of the Vactor product has
been proven in our own experience, as well as that of other municipalities.
The City must have dependable and durable equipment to clean sewer facilities, to
protect the public from stoppages and backups into homes and on private property, and to
prevent sewage spills into drainage channels and the bay.
In summary, the General Services and Utilities Departments recommend a Council
waiver of competitive bidding and approval to purchase a new Vactor brand vacuum
truck from the Haaker Equipment Company for a total cost of $285,049.40 including tax.
Sufficient funding is available in the Internal Services Fund for Equipment Replacement
to purchase a new vacuum truck.
Very respectfully,
David E. Niederhaus
DEN /mp
Attachment: Picture of Current Vactor Truck
Unit 5504 1992 Peterbilt - Vactor Sewer Cleaning Truck