The city Finance Committee this morning recommended city council approval of the purchase of a new dump truck with a bucket and hoist for the Public Works Department, at a cost of $67,501, from Nelson International. But not before discussing how green the new truck's engine, exhaust and emissions systems will be.
Public Works Director Pat Kelly said two bids were received, with Wallwork Truck Center of Fargo submitting the other bid. Since they were only $400 apart, Kelly recommended Nelson's bid even though it was the most expensive one because the engine wouldn't require that urea be added to the exhaust chamber in order to burn up enough carbon particulate to meet current emission standards. International is the only brand, he said, that doesn't currently require that urea be added to its engines. Figuring that the city would get at least 20 years' use from the new truck, Kelly said the city would easily save $400 over that time by not having to purchase urea and spend time monitoring urea levels and adding it to the truck periodically.
When Council Member Wayne Melbye asked, "What about going green?" Kelly stressed that the International engine meets emissions standards, and that adding urea doesn't make an engine more environmentally friendly.
The city, through the central garage account, budgeted $80,000 for the purchase. But Kelly said his department, due to the trade in of an older truck, is losing a plow attachment, so he still has to buy one of those. That purchase will likely push the overall cost past the budgeted amount by $3,000 to $4,000. When committee chair Marlys Mjoen expressed concern over that, City Clerk/Treasurer Betty Arvidson said that the financing for the new truck and plow comes from the central garage fund, which is separate from the general fund.
"We can adjust the rent rate on that vehicle and recoup the difference over time," she said.
