05/23/77 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MAY 23, 1977 to vacate Kaley Street from the.,'south right-of-way line of Kenwood Avenue to the north right-of-way line of Linden Avenue and also an east -west alley running west from Kaley Street to the first north -south alley. The Area Plan Commission recommended the petition favorably to the Board, with the suggestion that five feet be dedicated at the alley intersection to provide a turning radius. Mr. McMahon made a motion that the report be filed.and the petition referred to the Division of Engineering for preparation of the Vacation Resolution. RECOIRIENDATION TO ACCEPT BID - STREET DEPARTMENT TRACTOR AND MOVER The Board received the following recommendation: "Gentlemen: P-lay 20, 1977 Please be informed that we have reviewed the bids for the tractor -mower as referred to this Bureau. It is the recommendation of this Bureau that the Board accept the bid of A. 11. Choitz, Inc. at $13,720. Their bid was the second lowest posted with the Board. Low bid was by State Equipment Company of Fort Wayne, Indiana, at $13,377, the difference between bids being $343. The rejection of the low bid was based upon the mowing head provided by the Fort Wayne -firm (the tractor itself was identical from both firms). The following reasons are offered: 1. Ring Cutter is a relatively unknown mower to this area. The closest distributor for this equipment and any repair parts is Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Tiger Plower can be purchased and serviced locally. This matter is of utmost importance in that the Street Department only utilizes two of these vehicles, and down time for repair is a significant factor. 2. The King Cutter Mower is not responsive to the specifications in regard to the minimum cutting width; specifications called for "mower to be fully side -mounted with a cutting width of not less than 60-inches". The King Cutter Plower has a cutting width of 57 inches. The existing rotary mower currently operated by the Street Department is a Tiger Mower. It is our desire that both units be identical.in that this allows us to switch operators without regard to their training with any particular piece of equipment. It also allows us to switch parts and various aspects of the mechanical system should both mowers break down simultaneously. The Taylor Tiger Rotary Plower is used by nearly all municipalities in this area, which in itself is a very strong statement in its behalf. It should also be noted that all other bidders for this equipment bid the Taylor Plower in the base specifications. (There were a total of five (5) bidders.) Respectfully submitted, s/ Joseph..Gawrysiak, Manager Bureau of Streets s/ Patrick Pl. McMahon, P . E . Director of Public Works " Mr. McMahon said this recommendation was being made as being the lowest and best bid in the interests of the City. Mr. Gawrysiak noted that the Department has one mower now of the type provided by Choitz and it has given them good service. They have no knowledge about the other type of mower bid by the low bidder. Mr. McMahon.made a motion that the Board accept the bid of A. Ei. Choitz & Company of $13,720. Mr. Brunner seconded the motion and it carried.