HomeMy WebLinkAboutTIS 2025-04-28 Item 2C - Purchase - Brush Chipper ReplacementThomas McLeod, Mayor
Public Works Department - Pete Mayer, Interim Director
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
FROM: Pete Mayer, Interim Public Works Director
BY: Shawn Christie, Internal Operations Manager
CC: Mayor Thomas McLeod
DATE: April 25, 2025
SUBJECT: Purchase Replacement Brush Chipper for Unit 2604 (mechanical failure)
ISSUE
A 501 Fund asset, Brush Chipper unit 2604 used by the Street Department, needs to be
replaced.
BACKGROUND
There are two brush chippers in the City's fleet inventory. Both units are heavily used with one
unit used by Parks Maintenance and the other unit used by Street Maintenance. Street
Maintenance is assigned the 2002 Vermeer BC100XL unit 2604 which is 23 years old. This unit
recently started to have vibration problems and is no longer safe to use. Fleet Services
identified that the feed assembly must be replaced at a cost of $10,000 for the unit to be
returned to service. Unit 2604 is included in the Fleet Replacement Program and was already
scheduled to be replaced in 2027.
ANALYSIS
With the high cost of the roller assembly repair on a 23-year-old unit, it is more cost effective to
accelerate the replacement of this unit than to spend money on repair. The Street Maintenance
and Fleet Services teams tested possible replacement units and identified the Bandit Intimidator
12XPC as the unit to purchase. The proposed unit is comparable in size and functionality of the
current equipment. The new unit will cost $64,529.
FISCAL IMPACT
No additional funds are needed for this purchase and no budget overrun will occur. Fleet
Services has identified $126,200 in savings in the adopted 2025 Fleet 501 Fund budget to cover
the cost of purchasing a replacement brush chipper this year. The savings identified, through
fleet utilization analysis, is to repurpose an existing Ford pickup truck for the added Park Ranger
position and eliminating one of the replacement Police Patrol vehicles.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the 501 fund purchase of a Bandit Intimidator 12XPC brush chipper replacing failed
unit 2604 using already realized savings in the 2025 adopted budget and consider this item on
the Consent Agenda for the May 5, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.
Fleet & Facility Services • 11210 Tukwila International Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 98168 • 206-431-0166
Tukwila City Hall • 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206-433-1800 • Website:TukwilaWA.gov1