DATE: April 18, 2023
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Maintenance Services
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Procurement of a Skid-Steer From Peterson Caterpillar in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $130,000
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) authorizing the City Manager to execute the procurement of a skid-steer from Peterson Caterpillar in an amount not-to-exceed $130,000
SUMMARY
Maintenance Services' Streets and Landscape Divisions are tasked with various maintenance activities that include large scale defensible space vegetation management projects, weed and brush abatement, and debris removal in accordance with the California Fire Code Section 304.1-2 and the City’s Municipal Code Article 1, Sec 4-1.55. To support these Divisions’ efforts and to best utilize our complete inventory of industrial attachments, such as a forestry mulcher, staff is recommending the purchase of a rubber-tracked, off-road skid-steer from Peterson Caterpillar in an amount not-to-exceed $130,000.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
A rubber-tracked skid-steer is a compact piece of heavy equipment with lift arms that can attach to a variety of buckets and industrial attachments. The City’s only current skid-steer has rubber tires and was purchased to primarily support pavement-related efforts, such as grinding and removing striping. Due to its compact wheelbase, it is unable to work effectively on locations with steep grades and uneven terrain, such as the former Route 238 properties and other remote City-maintained parcels. It is also unable to operate in adverse conditions, such as rain, mud, and silt.
Staff recommends purchasing a rubber-tracked, off-road skid-steer to access and operate in these difficult-to-reach locations more effectively as they require frequent maintenance and vegetation management to reduce fire risks and maintain a safe defensible space between city owned parcels and adjacent occupied dwellings. Additionally, as the City further prepares its disaster preparedness protocols, this piece of equipment could be utilized by other City personnel to respond to unplanned or emergency situations, especially when the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated. Caterpillar offers the skid-steer with the Department’s required specifications. Fleet staff is knowledgeable and experienced in maintaining Caterpillar heavy equipment and it is the preferred manufacturer of staff due to its history of superior performance coupled with the fact that all maintenance parts are readily available locally at the Peterson Caterpillar warehouse in San Leandro. The procurement of the skid-steer will be done through the cooperative agreement with Sourcewell, a third-party administrator that completed the competitive bidding process.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
Purchase of the skid-steer will support weed and brush abatement and disaster preparedness, all which directly contribute to a safer City by mitigating risk, reducing fire hazards, and removing environmental blight.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is sufficient funding in the FY 2023 Adopted CIP to cover the cost of purchasing this equipment. There will be no impact to the General Fund.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
This agenda item is a routine operational item and does not directly relate to any of the six priorities outlined in the Council’s Strategic Roadmap.
SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
Purchase of the skid-steer will enable the City to improve service delivery in areas with dense vegetation and reduce fire hazards.
NEXT STEPS
If Council approves staff’s recommendation, the City Manager will execute the procurement of the skid-steer from Peterson Caterpillar in an amount not-to-exceed $130,000.
Prepared by: Manny Grewal, Management Analyst
Recommended by: Richard Nield, Landscape Manager Todd Rullman, Director of Maintenance Services
Approved by:
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Kelly McAdoo, City Manager