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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Derrick Winston, Asst. Superintendent, Fleet & Facilities Maintenance
DATE: March 15, 2022
SUBJECT:
Street Maintenance Division Brush Chipper Replacement
PURPOSE:
To ensure that the Street Maintenance Division has adequate equipment to perform forestry operations.
BACKGROUND:
Brush Chippers are essential pieces of equipment mainly employed by Street Maintenance Division personnel to maintain the City's right-of-way trees. They quickly reduce tree limbs into wood chips for useful purposes such as erosion control and producing composting material and mulch. Unit 48-376, a 2008 Vermeer BC1800 XL, is one of three brush chippers assigned to the Street Maintenance Division.
During use on March 8, 2022, a failed axle fastener on 48-376 resulted in extensive main frame and body damage to the unit. The Fleet Maintenance Division inspected the machine and concluded that given the nature of the damage and the age of the machine, repair costs may possibly exceed the machine's value and that the continued safe use on public roads cannot be guaranteed. They also determined that there are several salvageable components that are still intact on 48-376 that could be used as replacement parts for the remaining machines.
In consideration of the machine's age and the findings of the Fleet Maintenance Division, I am recommending a replacement unit.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Aurora participates in Sourcewell (formerly known as the National Joint Purchasing Cooperative) for the purchase of replacement and additional vehicles and equipment. This program bids vehicles and equipment for purchase, which allows the City to satisfy our own bidding process with less effort, and use a greater purchasing power to get lower prices.
Using Sourcewell contract 031721-VRM, Vermeer Midwest has proposed to supply an equivalent replacement brush chipper for $92,015.00. The quotation and an image of the proposed brush chipper are attached.
The City's Property Claims Account 601-0000-410.40-76 has available funds to satisfy the purchase of this equipment.
Vermeer Midwest is not indebted to the City.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
n/a
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I recommend that the City Council adopts a resolution authorizing the purchase of a replacement brush chipper from Vermeer Midwest for $92,015.00.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the purchase of a replacement brush chipper.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, unit 48-376, a 2008 Vermeer BC1800 XL, is one of three brush chippers assigned to the Street Maintenance Division; and
WHEREAS, a failed axle fastener on 48-376 resulted in extensive main frame and body damage to the unit; and
WHEREAS, given the nature of the damage and the age of the machine, repair costs may possibly exceed the machines value and the continued safe use on public roads cannot be guaranteed; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora participates in Sourcewell (formerly known as the National Joint Purchasing Cooperative) for the purchase of replacement and additional vehicles and equipment; and
WHEREAS, using Sourcewell contract 031721-VRM, Vermeer Midwest has proposed to supply an equivalent replacement brush chipper for $92,015.00; and
WHEREAS, the City's Property Claims Account 601-0000-410.40-76 has available funds to satisfy the purchase of this equipment; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the City Council adopts a resolution authorizing the purchase of a replacement brush chipper from Vermeer Midwest, using Sourcewell, for $92,015.00 which is hereto and made a part of and that the Purchasing Director is hereby authorized to issue the necessary purchase orders.