City of Marion purchases new bucket truck
Leaks in swimming pool are repaired by city workers
Marion City Commission met Monday and approved the purchase of a new bucket truck.
David Mayfield, city administrator, told commissioners the 1999 bucket truck was again in need of repair with a leaking hydraulic line.
"These lines have been replaced four times in the past three years," reported Mayfield. "This is an ongoing problem."
Mayfield also cited safety concerns for employees who use the truck.
"The bucket folded under and about threw out a worker," said Mayfield.
Jim Crofoot, commissioner, asked if there was any merit in keeping the truck chassis and replacing the bucket. Harvey Sanders, director of public utilities, said the truck would have to be sent to Missouri and would be out of operation too long.
"There isn't much difference in cost (between replacing the bucket and purchasing a new truck and bucket)," said Sanders.
The purchase was budgeted in the equipment reserve fund for 2004, said Mayfield. "We currently have a bid in the amount of $59,200 from Altec." Mayfield said the company would allow $19,200 for trade-in, which would make the purchase price $40,000.
"We budgeted $45,000 in the fund to make this purchase from the five-year capital plan," said Mayfield. "This is $5,000 less than what was budgeted."
The new bucket truck will have a one-year warranty on the bucket and a three-year warranty on the truck.
In other business:
— City crews are preparing city swimming pool and will fix leaks in the metal pool.
— Becky Makovec, utility billing clerk, presented the February utility billing report. She noted there were more customers receiving assistance in paying their bills.
— A plumbing license was approved for Jeff Makovec doing business as Jeff's Plumbing Service of Halstead.
— Janet Marler, librarian, reported 3,277 materials were checked-out from the Marion City Library in February.
Thirty quilts are on display in the Kansas Room at the library.
Marler also reported the library has received a Kansas preservation award.
— Mayfield reported auditors will be conducting the 2003 audit April 7 and 8.
— A fire department grant is near completion Mayfield reported. He anticipates the completed grant will be submitted next week.
— Warrants in the amount of $29,718 were approved.
The next city commission meeting will be at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
