Publication select ▼
File photo by K. Michelle Moran
GROSSE POINTE CITY — A truck that has exceeded its lifespan is getting replaced in Grosse Pointe City.
The City will be buying a 2019 Freightliner — to serve as a garbage and snowplow truck — to replace a 2003 International truck that has a Leach 25-yard rear-loading rubbish packer. The City Council unanimously approved the purchase at a meeting April 15.
Public Services Director Peter Randazzo said the City would be buying the Freightliner cab and chassis from Dearborn-based Wolverine Freightliner. The equipment purchase was competitively bid through a Rochester Hills-led co-op that involves 39 other communities, at a price of $96,987 for the cab and chassis.
“With this co-op, we were able to get all of the niceties for a standard price,” Randazzo told the council.
Those special features include a heated windshield, which he said is great when workers are plowing snow. The price also includes a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
“How does Freightliner compare to International?” City Councilman Donald Parthum Jr. asked.
“Night and day difference,” Randazzo responded, saying that Freightliner is a better model.
He said the Leach rear-loading packer body would be purchased from Grand Rapids-based Fredrickson Supply Co. LLC at a cost of $80,870, bringing the total purchase price to $177,857 — less than the $200,000 budgeted for this item. The Fredrickson price was obtained through Sourcewell, which Randazzo explained used to be the National Joint Powers Alliance, a “national procurement agency for public entities.” The rubbish packer is mounted to the chassis, Randazzo said.
During the council’s May meeting at 7 p.m. May 20, Randazzo said he would be presenting the council with bids for the snowplow purchase. He said he expects that item to cost less than $15,000.
“The (plow) pricing wasn’t ready for this council (meeting),” Randazzo said.
He said they hope to get the new truck by January, February or March.
