A SPECIAL MEETING of the Board of Chippewa County Road Commissioners was duly held in their offices located at 3943 S. Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on January 8, 2008.

 

The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m.

 

PRESENT:  Commissioners Carr, Holt and MacDonald, Manager Heckman, Office Mgr. Decker, Clerk McDowell and Chief Mechanic Sibbald.

 

PURPOSE:  To discuss 2008 COL purchases

 

Manager Heckman opened discussion on the need to purchase 8 new trucks. 

 

Manager Heckman presented equipment listing as of 1-8-08.

 

Commissioner MacDonald inquired as to why we budgeted for eight trucks and not fewer trucks more often.

 

Chief Mechanic Sibbald indicated when replacing only a few trucks at a time it’s difficult to stay up with parts inventory and diagnostic equipment.  He also stated we will be trading or selling at least eight trucks.

 

Manager Heckman indicated it’s his understanding that there is a lull in the trucking manufacturing business because of the new emission standards and this might be a good time to purchase vehicles.   

 

Discussion on one of these trucks being equipped with a wing and RDS (radius dump system) which will be used mostly on the interstate. 

 

Commissioner Holt asked what the wing would cost and why we wouldn’t consider purchasing two.

 

Manager Heckman state he would like to see how the wing works for our operations before purchasing additional ones. He also indicated we would not recoup the cost of an auxiliary piece of equipment for 5 years.

 

Discussion ensued on various other proposed 2008 COL purchases.

 

Discussion on pro’s and con’s of having own fueling system or using a local station.

 

Chief Mechanic Sibbald indicated that our current floor hoist system is old and dilapidated and needs to be replaced it is a major safety issue.  The price indicated of $82,000.00. is for 2 sets of 4, one for shop and one for the grease rack station.

 

The oil system listed is for the Pickford garage.

 

Office Mgr. Decker indicated the photo copier we currently have is starting to give us problems.

 

Discussion ensued to buy outright or the leasing of a copier.

 

Commissioner MacDonald indicated as long as when were looking for a copier we take a good look at the differences between leasing and buying outright.

 

Office Mgr. Decker indicated he has found a lap top for the engineering assistant which will be approximately $1,500.00 so that budgeted line item will be reduced by $1,500.00.

 

Manager Heckman suggested that $1,500.00 be shifted to line item for right-of-way purchases.  He indicated there maybe a need to purchase right-of-ways on Spring Bay and Caribou Lake Roads.

 

MOTION by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner Carr to authorize Manager Heckman to receive bids for specific COL purchases as presented on Schedule No. 2 as they are needed.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

There being no further business to come before the Board it was MOVED by Commissioner Holt SECONDED by Commissioner MacDonald to adjourn the meeting as 10:15 a.m.

 

MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE.

 

 

____________________________    ___________________________

Christine A. McDowell           Clifford H. Carr

Secretary for the Board         Chairman