Title
Snow Removal Program - Equipment - Budget Transfer
History
The Public Works Department has been researching new more efficient and more economical ways of performing our snow and ice removal program. Based upon this research and in speaking with other government agencies, it has been found that utilizing liquid pre-wet materials along with granular materials (Road Salt) is much more efficient and longer lasting than just using road salt alone. Liquid pre-wet, such as salt brine agents, sticks to the road and helps make the road salt react quicker and reduces the amount of salt bounce off to the side of the roadways.
In order to initiate this upgrade in operation, it will require additional truck mounted equipment to apply the liquid pre-wet materials as well as the storage tanks needed to make and contain bulk liquids. This equipment and new procedure in our snow fighting program has been desired for a number of years. We did not budget for this equipment; however, through the efforts of staff, we were able to realize a budget savings on salt materials this past year in the amount of $51,900 and would like to use those funds for the procurement of this new equipment, which would comprise of approximately fifteen mobile truck mounted distribution systems and three bulk tanks. We will budget for additional equipment to further enhance our storm management capabilities in the 2011 budget year.
On July 6, 2010, this item was reviewed and approved by the Public Works and Engineering Committee and referred to the Board for approval.
Financial Impact
The 2010 Fiscal Year Budget had Board approved funds in the amount of $378,900 (Account 010-5002-431.62-60) for the purchase of salt and calcium chloride for pavement de-icing. Of that amount $327,000 was utilized leaving $51,900 remaining which will need to be transferred to Account 010-5002-431.61-70 for this purchase.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve the transfer of the remaining funds from the road salt budget in the amount of $51,900 to the machinery and equipment parts account for the purchase of new liquid pre-wet equipment, salt brine maker and related storage tank systems.