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Home My WebLink About20091207 - VI-10 MEMO To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Tom Montgomery Date: December 1, 2009 Re: Authorize Purchase of Public Works Vehicle – Ford Escape Hybrid The 2009 Public Works budget included $28,500 for the purchase of a pickup truck to be funded through the use of equipment certificates. Due to their versatility, ability to carry heavy loads and trailer equipment, pickup trucks have always been the vehicle of choice for the Public Works Department. Rather than continue with this one size fits all approach to purchasing Public Works vehicles, Public Works staff evaluated the uses this vehicle would be put to. The vehicle would be assigned to the Public Works Superintendent, who would need a higher clearance vehicle for driving during heavy snowfalls or on streets or other areas under construction. However, the Public Works Superintendent rarely hauls large loads or pulls heavy trailers with his vehicle. After reviewing these needs, Public Works is recommending purchasing a Ford Escape Hybrid Electric Vehicle instead of a pickup truck. The Ford Escape Hybrid is very efficient in city driving, rated at 34 mpg as compared with 15 mpg for a pickup truck. In addition, the EPA lists the Ford Escape Hybrid as having a much smaller carbon footprint, releasing 5.7 tons/yr of CO2 as compared with 10.8 tons/yr for a pickup truck. The Ford Escape Hybrid has enough cargo capacity to meet the needs of the PW Superintendent. Unfortunately, Ford does not make a red Ford Escape Hybrid, so the proposed vehicle would be blue. Public Works staff has negotiated with Hastings Ford for the purchase a 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid Electric Vehicle for $26,400 plus motor vehicle excise tax and title and registrations costs of $1,860 for a total vehicle cost of $28,260. This cost includes the trade in of a 1994 pickup valued at $600 and a 1998 pickup valued at $1,500. Council Action Requested Council is requested to authorize the purchase of a Ford Escape Hybrid Electric Vehicle from Hastings Ford at a total cost of $28,260.