Council purchases articulated telescopic aerial lift a.k.a. cherry picker

January 11, 2017
Santa Paula News

Purchasing a piece of equipment commonly known as a “cherry picker” was cause of City Council and public discussion at the January 3 meeting.

Vice Mayor Ginger Gherardi requested that the item be pulled from the Consent Calendar portion of the agenda, those items considered routine and not warranting discussion.

According to the report by Interim Public Works Director John Ilasin, the cost of the articulated telescopic aerial lift truck” is $111,005.00 and he asked that the allocation of funds be $122,106 to complete the standard equipment. The funds would be culled from two different accounts including Traffic Impact Fees in the amount of $36,209.

Ilasin said the articulated telescopic aerial lift truck is “Like what SCE has for aboveground operations. Our particular need is for the aboveground maintenance of traffic control devices, street tree trimming, installation of closed circuit television,” for surveillance, as well as banner placement, among other equipment uses.

The city’s current cherry picker is a rental and a cost comparison was done to justify the purchase, data that Ilasin said “Hopefully makes it very clear to you what the city pays for rental…rental cost per hour is $114 compared to the cost of ownership,” at $95 an hour.

The city has storage space for the equipment, mounted on a truck chassis, so it would be “easily accessible.” 

During public comment Sheryl Hamlin questioned the purchase and noted that the cost of the equipment did not consider inflation, which would increase the value of future payments.

Not only did she question the cost but Hamlin also voiced concerns about the projected amount of operational hours as well as the approaching recession cycle.

Gherardi questioned Ilasin about the usage and cost of the equipment.

“About how many days would you be using this truck?” she asked.

“On a daily basis,” Ilasin replied. “…it is multipurpose,” and could be used for many jobs. 

“If it’s going to cost about the same to rent it to buy it, I would rather buy it,” said Gherardi. 

City Manager Jaime Fontes pointed out several scenarios where such equipment being readily available is vital.

Councilman Clint Garman questioned the lifespan of the equipment and Councilman Martin Hernandez asked for a breakdown of funding. 

“I know there are some traffic mitigation fees,” and Hernandez added, “I know the roads are getting bad impacts from East Area 1,” the Harvest at Limoneira development now working on infrastructure for the 1,500 housing unit development.

“I know at the end of that there’s supposed to be mitigation money,” to repair roads from East Area 1 to the 12th Street Bridge where rock is delivered for processing. 

Finance Director Sandy Easley said there is  “a little over $200,000 in that fund using part for street improvement.”

Councilman John Procter noting that Streets Supervisor Rob Howard — “Our guy who answers the call” of emergency services — was present, suggested he answer some questions.

But first Procter asked Ilasin, “Apart from any financing I’m interested in use, renter versus ownership. If we need it for something how quickly is it available?”

“Sometimes,” said Ilasin, “not at all…”

Howard told the council that rental equipment is not available when needed and sometimes when it is it does not work.

Hearing that the projected lifespan of a new cherry picker would be 10 to 20 years, Gherardi moved that the equipment be purchased, agreed to by the full council.





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