Item Number: 14
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: October 7, 2025
Submitted By:
Doug Mathews, Director of Public Works and Water
Subject:
Revised Purchase of a Rovver X/RXSAT 2.0 Main Line and Lateral Launch Inspection System with 2026 Ford E-450 Cutaway and 16-Foot Studio Build-Out Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council:
(1) Rescind the February 18, 2025, approval for the purchase of an electric 2024 Ford E-Transit Cutaway Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) inspection van in the amount of $504,912.18; and
(2) Authorize the purchase of a gas-powered 2026 Ford E-450 Cutaway CCTV inspection van, equipped with a Rovver X/RXSAT 2.0 Main Line and Lateral Launch Inspection System, from Haaker Equipment Company under Sourcewell Contract #120721-EVS, in an amount not to exceed $480,071.02.
Fiscal Impact:
Funds for this expenditure were originally budgeted in the FY 2024/25 Capital Improvement Plan under Sanitary/Sewer Fund 425, account code 4250700-55045- 70761, and have been rolled over into the FY 2025/26 budget. The total project budget is $510,000. The revised purchase cost of $480,071.02, which includes delivery and training, represents a savings of $24,841.16 compared to the previously approved electric configuration of $504,912.18.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal E – Invest in Infrastructure: Ensuring our community’s wellbeing and sustaining a healthy and livable community by investing in the necessary resources to maintain and improve the City’s infrastructure. The addition of the Rovver X/RXSAT 2.0 Main Line and Lateral Launch Inspection System will enhance our ability to efficiently inspect and manage the City’s sewer systems, to help ensure reliable sanitation infrastructure and reduce the likelihood of blockages and overflows.
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Background:
On February 18, 2025, the City Council awarded Haaker Equipment Company (Haaker), as the authorized distributor, the piggyback purchase of a Rovver X/RXSAT 2.0 Main Line and Lateral Launch Inspection System, which included a 2024 Ford E-Transit Cutaway vehicle with a custom 16-foot studio build-out, for an amount not to exceed $504,912.18, under Sourcewell Contract #120721-EVS. The purchase was intended to provide a second CCTV inspection van to support the City’s growing sewer infrastructure, which includes approximately 430 miles of mains, 120 miles of laterals and 31,217 connections, as included in the City’s recent sewer rate study 1. The additional unit was designed to ensure redundancy in the fleet, allowing staff to perform simultaneous inspections, reduce downtime risk, and respond to emergencies such as sanitary sewer overflows and storm- drain related street closures.
The E-Transit electric chassis was initially selected to help the City meet the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Milestone Group 1 targets, which require a percentage of fleet vehicles to be zero-emission by 2028. The configuration was modeled in part after an electric CCTV van used by the City of San Jacinto, which appeared to meet operational needs at the time staff sought Council’s approval.
Discussion:
Following Council’s approval on February 18, 2025, staff began working with Haaker and Envirosight, the manufacturer of the Rovver X/RXSAT 2.0 Main Line and Lateral Launch Inspection System, to finalize the vehicle specifications. During the design phase, Envirosight evaluated the proposed 2024 Ford E-Transit Cutaway chassis and determined that, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 9,500 pounds, the completed vehicle would be approximately 1,542 pounds over the allowable limit once the 16-foot studio build-out and inspection system were installed. The overweight condition, caused primarily by the electric vehicle’s battery system, would compromise safety, reduce capacity for tools and personnel, and make the configuration unfeasible.
Haaker confirmed that the electric chassis would not meet the operational and safety requirements necessary for daily use.
To address this issue, staff evaluated alternative configurations and identified a suitable solution: a 2026 Ford E-450 gas-powered cutaway chassis. This chassis will accommodate the same Rovver X/RXSAT 2.0 system and 16-foot studio build-out while meeting all weight, safety, and performance requirements. The proposed gas-powered configuration will be purchased through the same Sourcewell Contract #120721-EVS used for the original approval. This is in accordance with Victorville Municipal Code Section 2.28.120, which authorizes the City to utilize cooperative purchasing programs, ensuring compliance while securing competitive pricing. The total cost of the revised configuration is $480,071.02, which is $24,841.16 less than the electric configuration 1 City of Victorville, Sewer Rate Study – August 2023, Table 10 – Capital Improvement Program Cost, Project No. 24
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approved in February. The gas-powered build includes all the critical components required for the City’s sewer operations:
SAT system with lateral launch for inspecting both main lines and smaller lateral connections.
Onboard generator for uninterrupted operation of all inspection equipment. Heavy-duty lifting aid for safe handling and deployment of the robotic crawler. Sink with an 18-gallon water tank for sanitation and cleaning. Integrated tool storage to keep essential equipment and spare parts organized.
The electric configuration had been modeled in part after a CCTV van used by the City of San Jacinto. However, their sewer system is significantly smaller, with fewer miles of mains and laterals, which enables them to operate a lighter electric chassis without the added weight demands faced by the City. With over 430 miles of sewer mains and 120 miles of laterals totaling 31,217 connections, the City requires a more robust platform to carry the equipment necessary for daily inspections, preventative maintenance, and emergency response to sanitary sewer overflows and storm-drain related street closures.
In addition, Haaker confirmed that the San Jacinto configuration did not include several specifications required for the City’s operations, such as the SAT system with lateral launch, onboard generator, heavy-duty lifting aid, sink with an 18-gallon water tank, and integrated tool storage.
Although the revised purchase will not contribute toward the City’s zero-emission vehicle targets, the vehicle may qualify for a temporary exemption under the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation during declared emergency events. As outlined in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) § 2015.3(f), vehicles operated by public agencies that are dispatched to support emergency operations during a declared emergency are temporarily exempt from ACF requirements for the duration of the event. While the City’s CCTV van will primarily be used for routine sewer inspections, it may also be deployed to support emergency sewer response operations when necessary and may qualify for this exemption. Supporting references are provided in Title 13 CCR § 2015.3(f) (Attachment E) and the CARB Declared Emergency Response Exemption Fact Sheet (Attachment F).
In addition, the City recently entered into a contract with Kittelson & Associates, Inc. to prepare a Zero Emissions Conversion Assessment for the City’s fleet. This study will evaluate available zero-emission alternatives, identify barriers to conversion, review facility capacity for charging infrastructure, and provide phased implementation strategies to meet CARB requirements. While the assessment is underway, staff has determined that no viable electric alternative currently exists for a CCTV inspection van of this size and configuration. The proposed gas-powered purchase addresses immediate operational needs while ensuring the City continues to plan for long-term compliance with future fleet conversion requirements.
Adding this second CCTV van remains essential to maintaining service levels as the City’s population grows and infrastructure demands increase. The City currently has only 4 3
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one CCTV van in the fleet. If that unit were to become inoperable, there would be no backup available, which could result in delays in inspections and emergency response.
With two CCTV vans, staff will be able to manage multiple locations simultaneously, improving efficiency and response times for both routine and emergency operations. This will help minimize service disruptions and ensure compliance with state-mandated inspections. The lead time for delivery of the completed van is estimated at approximately three to six months.
Staff remains available for any questions the City Council may have.
Prepared By:
Summer Burgess, Management Technician
Robby Bracelly, Fleet Manager
Attachments: A. New Quote from Haaker
B. Sourcewell Contract #120721-EVS
C. Letter from Envirosight
D. Original Staff Report (February 18, 2025)
E. Title 13 CCR § 2015.3(f) Exemptions Pursuant to Declared Emergency Events
F. CARB Emergency Use Exemption Fact Sheet