Surplus utility vehicles heading to auction block
Staff writer
Marion will auction two surplus electric department vehicles after receiving a new bucket truck. Proceeds are expected to be applied toward principal on the loan used to purchase the replacement vehicle.
Council members voted unanimously Monday to sell a 1999 International High Ranger truck and a 2007 Ford F-550 bucket truck through Purple Wave auction.
The city plans to place a $20,000 reserve on the Ford truck. No reserve is planned for the older International, which officials estimated could bring $7,000 to $9,000 at auction.
Electric department supervisor Steven Hart said the city received its new bucket truck last week and was getting it stocked and ready for use.
City administrator Brian Wells told council members the city had received or expected insurance settlement checks related to several city vehicles, including the administrator’s car and a police department Chevrolet Impala.
The city is considering whether to retain some vehicles at reduced settlement values and switch them to liability-only coverage. Wells said the administrator’s vehicle has about 67,000 miles and may be worth keeping.
The city also has received about $56,000 in insurance proceeds for building and airport damage. The city is seeking quotes for spray-on epoxy roof work on airport hangars.
Council members discussed TextMyGov, a text-message service that could allow residents to receive city notifications and communicate with city departments by text message. Wells said he wanted to complete other projects before taking on another system. No action was taken.
Police Chief Aaron Slater discussed FEMA identification cards for city employees.
The cards would help employees who live outside Marion gain access to the city during disasters or other emergencies that result in road closures.
Mayor Michael Powers said expiration dates should be included on the cards so former employees could not continue using outdated credentials.
About 250 water meters remain to be installed, Wells said. All meters were manually read for June utility bills.
A contractor assisting with water meters also helped clear and level ground near Washington St. for the city’s solar project.
Powers said he expected the solar project to be farther along based on earlier discussions with Kansas Power Pool.
Wells said the project appeared ready to begin in March but started later than anticipated.