The storm drain cleaning truck is an essential tool that is used on a daily basis to maintain the City’s infrastructure. In making the decision to recommend replacement several factors were assessed; the age of the equipment being replaced, the cost to maintain the current piece of equipment, changes in the way that maintenance activities are performed, and frequency that the equipment is utilized.

The Vac-Con (vehicle 740 C) needing replacement is over 17 years old and the cost to maintain this truck have dramatically increased during the past several years.  In the years since 740C was purchased, the distances and time that it takes to travel across the City have increased, and this equipment is used in the field on a daily basis.

As we looked at the changes we considered what options would be beneficial to the City. Larger water tank capacity would mean less trips to fill up and a more efficient fan system would increase the versatility of this truck allowing Public Works Maintenance staff to more efficiently perform routine and emergency maintenance. We have also worked with the manufacturer to provide the most efficient machine to perform the work it needs to do.

Currently the City owns five similar vacuum type sewer cleaning trucks. The City of Sparks has several other sewer maintenance trucks that Vac-Con has built, and they have performed well. This translates to fleet having to stock fewer parts, and our technicians already being familiar with the equipment. This truck meets all of the standards that are set by the Federal Highway Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. The purchase of this new truck should mean less down time, and decreased maintenance costs, while providing a tool essential to the maintenance of the City of Sparks infrastructure.

In sourcing the vehicle, if approved, the City would be using the joinder provision allowed under NRS 332.195 and purchasing the vehicle utilizing the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) contract with MME for the same equipment.  Utilizing the “joinder” provision allows the City to precisely define the vehicle needed while foregoing the need to formally bid the item.

1. The City Council could approve this purchase as submitted by staff.

2. The City Council could deny this purchase and provide direction to the City Manager.

I move to approve the purchase of one 2017 Peterbuilt/Vac-Con truck from Atlantic Machinery/Municipal Maintenance Equipment in the amount of $412,230.