BACKGROUND:
The City’s current aerial lift, which has been in service for over two decades, is no longer adequate to meet the City’s operational needs. The maintenance costs have escalated significantly in recent years, and the frequency of breakdowns has increased, resulting in reduced productivity and increased risks for staff. The outdated technology and limited capabilities of the existing aerial lift hinder staff’s ability to efficiently complete tasks that require height adjustments and stability, impacting the overall efficiency and safety of operations. In the past six months, staff have had to rent lift equipment on three different occasions averaging $750 per rental.
DISCUSSION:
With an original planned budget of $20,000 for a new scissor lift, the cost of a new scissor lift was significantly higher than what staff had anticipated. The prices for new lifts have increased in recent years, making it difficult for staff to afford one without exceeding the budget. Given the City’s financial constraints, staff explored alternative options that would still meet their requirements. In addition to the scissor lift, staff also needed to purchase a trailer to transport it. This added expense further stretched the budget. If staff had opted for a new scissor lift, the combined cost of both the lift and the trailer would have put the purchase significantly over budget, leaving staff with insufficient funds for other essential projects and purchases.
Considering these factors, staff decided to explore the used scissor lift market. Staff extensively researched and inspected various options to ensure they found a reliable machine that met their safety and operational requirements. Purchasing a used scissor lift allowed staff to significantly reduce the cost, making it a more feasible option within the budget limitations. While there are certain risks associated with buying used equipment, staff took all necessary precautions to mitigate them. They thoroughly inspected the lift, tested and demonstrated it on recent projects, checked its maintenance records, and even sought expert advice to ensure its reliability. Moreover, the cost savings from purchasing a used scissor lift allowed staff to allocate some funds towards necessary repairs or maintenance, if required.
To address the issues associated with the current lift, staff evaluated the attached four (4) options available in the market and reached out to their existing equipment vendors to determine what was available based on the following criteria:
•Enhanced Safety: The scissor lift will enable the maintenance staff to work at heights safely, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries associated with using ladders or other less stable alternatives.
•Increased Efficiency: The use of a scissor lift will streamline maintenance tasks, allowing staff to access elevated areas more quickly and efficiently. This will result in shorter project completion times and increased productivity. •Versatility: The 20' scissor lift is compact enough to navigate tight spaces while providing an adequate working height for most maintenance tasks. Its versatility will ensure it can be utilized in various city locations, including the downtown amphitheater, town square, civic center, fire stations, and parks. •Cost-effectiveness: With the acquisition of a 20' scissor lift and a 6k tilt trailer, the city will save on rental costs incurred when hiring similar equipment for maintenance tasks. Additionally, having our own equipment ensures availability as per our schedule, reducing delays caused by rental unavailability.
Staff tested all four options on City grounds, and in/around town square and the amphitheater. The 20” scissor lift proved to best meet our needs and proved to be reliable and durable, backed by positive customer reviews and testimonials. It offers a height capacity of up to 20’ working height two-man platform and the ability to maneuver the tight turns leading up to hard-to-reach areas, e.g., the amphitheater stage. In addition, staff will be able to use it to complete general cleaning, maintenance and repairs in the Amphitheater’s onstage lighting, walking path lights, and sidewalk lights, and banners surrounding Civic Center and Town Square.
FISCAL IMPACT:
After careful evaluation, staff recommend the purchase of the 2017 20’ Skyjack aerial lift and 6K tilt trailer (attachments 1A and 1B) from Herc Rentals and Sales not to exceed $12,000 – quotes are attached.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
GOAL C: Fiscal Stability and Sustainability