DATE: AUGUST 4, 2026
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS, SANITARY SEWER DIVISION
FROM: DAVID JACOBS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
BY: TERRY MILLEMAN, FLEET MAINTENANCE MANAGER
TITLE: PURCHASE OF A 2026 VAC-CON TRUCK
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a resolution authorizing the Purchasing Agent to complete the direct purchase of one (1) 2026 Vac-Con V312HE/1300 Mounted on a Peterbilt chassis from Municipal Maintenance Equipment (MME) at a cost of $849,903.30 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Vac-Con truck is one of the Sewer Enterprise Division’s most essential pieces of equipment. It is used daily to clean, flush, and vacuum debris from sanitary sewer mains, storm drain systems, manholes, lift stations, and catch basins. Staff are recommending the 2026 Vac-Con V312HE/1300 Mounted on a Peterbilt chassis for use by the Sewer Maintenance department for a total cost not to exceed $849,903.30. The FY 2026-27 City Budget provided funding through the Sewer Departments operating budget to purchase this replacement vehicle.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Salinas Sewer Maintenance Division is requesting approval to replace its 2015 Peterbilt 348 Vac-Con combination sewer cleaning truck with a new 2026 Peterbilt Vac-Con combination sewer cleaning truck. The existing unit has reached its planned 10-year service life, and continued reliance on this aging vehicle increases the risk of costly mechanical failures, extended downtime, and disruptions to critical sewer maintenance operations.
The Vac-Con truck is one of the Sewer Enterprise Division’s most essential pieces of equipment. It is used daily to clean, flush, and vacuum debris from sanitary sewer mains, storm drain systems, manholes, lift stations, and catch basins. This preventive maintenance is critical to maintaining system capacity, preventing sewer blockages, reducing sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), protecting public health, and ensuring compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements. The truck also serves as a vital emergency response vehicle for sewer backups, overflows, and other urgent infrastructure failures that require immediate attention.
Heavy-duty combination sewer cleaning trucks have exceptionally long manufacturing lead times due to specialized chassis, equipment installation, and testing requirements. The current estimated delivery time for a new Vac-Con truck is approximately 18 months from the date an order is placed. Delaying this replacement increases the likelihood that the City will experience a major equipment failure before a replacement vehicle can be delivered.
If the current truck experiences a catastrophic failure or becomes inoperable, the City would be forced to rent a comparable combination sewer cleaning truck to maintain essential sewer operations. Current rental costs are approximately $20,000 per month, resulting in significant unbudgeted expenses while awaiting delivery of a replacement unit. These rental costs could quickly exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars over an extended manufacturing period and would provide no long-term asset for the City.
The proposed replacement vehicle is being purchased through a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract, with a quote provided by Municipal Maintenance Equipment (MME) in the amount of $849,903.30. Using the Sourcewell contract allows the City to streamline the procurement process while ensuring competitive pricing and compliance with public purchasing requirements.
Replacing this vehicle now will improve operational reliability by providing dependable equipment capable of supporting daily preventive maintenance and emergency response activities for many years to come. A new Vac-Con truck will reduce maintenance costs associated with aging equipment, minimize unexpected downtime, improve fleet reliability, and ensure the Sewer Enterprise Division can continue providing essential wastewater services safely, efficiently, and without interruption to the residents and businesses of the City of Salinas.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The requested Council action directly relates to Council’s Strategic Plans or Goals of “Infrastructure” by ensuring the Sewer Enterprise Division has reliable equipment to maintain and preserve the City’s wastewater collection system. This investment promotes proactive infrastructure maintenance, reduces the risk of service interruptions and costly emergency repairs, and helps ensure the continued delivery of safe and reliable sewer services to the community.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
Fleet Maintenance collaborated closely with the Sanitary Sewer Division to assess and discuss the requirements for a new sewer cleaning truck. Through this coordination, both departments determined that the vehicle outlined in this report satisfies the operational needs of the Sanitary Sewer Division and meets the maintenance and technical standards required by the Fleet Maintenance Shop.
Additionally, Fleet Maintenance and the Sanitary Sewer Division worked in conjunction with the Finance Purchasing Division to ensure that all purchasing procedures and requirements for this acquisition were properly addressed and coordinated.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Funds have been budgeted for this vehicle’s replacement in the Sewer Maintenance operating budget for FY26/27. There will be no impact on the City’s General Fund since monies for the purchase are already allocated in the current Sewer Maintenance operating budget.
Fund
General Ledger Number
(Operating/CIP)
General Ledger Account Name
Remaining Budget Appropriation
Amount Requested
6400
50.5442-66.5400
Sewer Capital Outlay Equipment Fund
850,000.00
849,903.30
ATTACHMENTS:
Council Resolution
Vehicle and Equipment quotes
Page | 2
Page | 1
CITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORTCITY OF SALINASCOUNCIL STAFF REPORT
CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT