HomeMy WebLinkAboutTIC 2019-07-16 Item 2F - Purchase - Snow and Ice Response Equipment2906
TO:
FROM:
BY:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
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Public Works Department - Henry Hash, Director
INFOR ATIONAL E ORANDU
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Henry Hash, Public Works Director /I//
Bryan Still, Operations Manager
July 12, 2019
Public Works Capital Purchase
Purchase of Snow & Ice Response Equipment
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
ISSUE
Approve purchase of 10,000-gallon storage salt brine tank with 180 GPM pump, 325-gallon anti -ice sprayer, 2-cubic
yard poly sander, and an 8-foot plow for a 1-ton dump truck.
ANALYSIS
During the winter months, there is a need to use a de-icing agent to prevent roads and bridge decks from freezing and
becoming dangerous for traffic throughout the City. Tukwila has an ongoing contract with the City of SeaTac to
purchase a salt brine solution as SeaTac owns a salt brine production plant at their city maintenance yard.
After the snowstorms in February 2019, staff determined that winter operations would be more efficient and reliable
with a salt brine storage tank on site. Benefits of a storage tank at the Public Works Shop would include; elimination of
multiple trips to SeaTac to obtain brine solution as the crew can only fill a 325-gallon tank at a time; avoid waiting in
long lines for brine with other municipalities; and have de-icing operations halted if the brine maker is out of operation.
In 2019, the crew took 52, 40-minute roundtrips to SeaTac to obtain brine. Having a tank on site would save
approximately $4,992 in labor, fuel, wear and tear on vehicles, and improve customer service by reducing response
time. The Street crew would be able to de-ice most of our City streets with a 10,000-gallon storage tank, saving 31
trips to SeaTac. The anti -ice sprayer, sander, and plow would be used to equip a Facilities Maintenance truck to
remove snow and ice from City facilities, which was needed this last winter.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Costs paid to SeaTac for the salt brine have averaged $2,470 a year since 2015 and these brine costs would continue,
but our efficiency to de-ice City streets would significantly improve. Due to savings in labor costs, the storage tank
should pay for itself in two to four years.
Equipment would be purchased from the street maintenance fund. Due to unexpected expenses related to the Seattle
City Light incident and the February snowstorms, this fund is overbudget. However, the City will be reimbursed for our
costs related to the Seattle City Light incident. Purchase of unbudgeted capital equipment of $5,000 or more requires
Council approval per Policy FP-7.
10,000-gallon salt brine storage tank with pump
325-gallon anti -ice Sprayer
2-cubic yard poly Sander
8-foot Plow
Sales Tax
Total
$19,950.00
10,083.00
10,608.00
6,872.00
4,751.30
$52,264.30
RECOMMENDATION
Council is being asked to authorize purchase of a 10,000-gallon salt brine storage tank with pump, 325-gallon anti -ice
sprayer, 2-cubic yard poly sander, and 8-foot plow in the amount of $52,264.30 and consider this item at the July 22,
2019 Committee of the Whole and subsequent August 5, 2019 Regular Meeting.
Attachment: Photos of equipment
WAShared Copy Only \Streets2019 Info Memo Brine Tank 070119.docx
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10,000 Gallon Salt Brine Storage Tank
325 Gallon Anti -ice Sprayer
2 Cubic Yard Poly Sander
8-Foot Plow
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