City council discusses vehicle purchases

Davenport – The city council discussed Resolution 2020-09, authorization to purchase or replace a public works vehicle, at its meeting Wednesday, March 11. The Davenport Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance on older vehicles in the city’s fleet that have special maintenance needs. The city has determined that a replacement vehicle purchase is the best way to reduce special maintenance needs and associated costs. The city is seeking a pickup truck.

The council must work within the constraints of state law and Davenport Resolution 2009-27,which limits the amount that may be spent on a vehicle purchase. The council discussed proposing a new resolution to raise the vehicle purchase price ceiling from its 2009 level to a level that would allow for the purchase of a 2020 model year truck.

City Maintenance Superintendent Fred Bell said he would like to keep the purchase local, if possible. Bell recommends the purchase of a crew cab truck for additional secure tool and equipment storage along with the ability to move more workers in a single vehicle. The city has traditionally purchased new, Bell noted, but Resolution 2009-27 does not allow spending enough money to easily purchase new.

Davenport Motor Company made a bid to provide a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, double cab LT 4X truck for $29,592, but the vehicle was subject to prior sale and the city was unable to buy it.

Mayor Brad Sweet suggested getting a second used vehicle bid and a cost breakdown on a new vehicle. The council voted to table Resolution 20-09 until a later meeting.

• City cleanup days are Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25. Open burns will be allowed during a ten day period from April 24 to May 3.

• 53 vendors have applied to operate at Pioneer Days. The Pioneer Days theme will be “Food, Fun and Friends, All In Davenport.”

• Deputy Gants, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, introduced newly hired Deputy Carson Webber. There were 680 calls countywide to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in February.

• Councilman Chris Ruiz reported that the city’s Finance Committee reviewed the city’s contract with the Lincoln County Museum. The city plans to request longer museum hours, suggesting 40 a month.