Posted: 10/16/07
City approves Pladsen Ford bid for electric department pick-up
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
After reviewing the pros and cons of a two-wheel drive, versus a four-wheel drive pickup for the electric department, the Caledonia City County approved the purchase of the 4 x 4 by a 4-1 vote. The council took the low bid for a one-ton, four-wheel drive, crew cab with a diesel engine from Pladsen Ford of Caledonia for $31,664.
The motion was to appropriate up to $50,000 for the purchase of the new pick-up a large tool box the city is purchasing through a state bid for $13,652, and other miscellaneous costs involved in outfitting the vehicle. The action was taken during the Oct. 8 council meeting.
Two weeks earlier, the council had reviewed two local bids, one from Pladsen Ford and the other from Ellingson Motors for $34,567.
Members of the council questioned if the electric department really needed a four-wheel drive and asked for figures on a similar two-wheel drive unit. The Pladsen bid for the two-wheel drive was approximately $1,000 less ($30,572) while the Ellingson bid was over $4,000 less ($30,526).
It was pointed out the transmission for a four-wheel drive pick-up is built stronger than for a two-wheel drive. Because the electric department would be using the truck to pull a heavy trailer and trencher, it would make more sense to go with the 4 x 4.
Mayor Mike Morey and Councilmembers Paul Fisch, Bob Standish, and Randi Vick all voted in favor of the motion, while Councilman Gary Klug voted against it.
In other action
Lapham request approved
The council approved two variance requests made by Lyle Lapham, 120 West Caledonia Street to construct a 16 by 22-foot attached garage and add four feet onto an existing screened porch.
Lapham needed a two-foot setback variance on the east (rear) property line and a seven-foot setback on the south (side) property line. The city sent out notices to Laphamís two neighbors. Neither registered any complaints.
The two variance requests were unanimously approved.
Hoskins bid approved
The council approved the bid submitted by Hoskins Electric of Caledonia for the wiring project on the large electric generator the city will be installing behind city hall. The Hoskins bid was $51,743.
Last December when the large transformer station that serves much of the city malfunctioned, leaving a major portion of the city without electricity for a four hours, the city decided to put an emergency generator in place. The new generator will provide electricity to the city auditorium, city hall, and fire hall.
The city had received two bids for the wiring project during the August 27 meeting, one from P&T Electric for $60,480 and the other from Hoskins for $41,040. City staff recommended the low bid by Hoskins be rejected because it did not comply with specification requirements.
"I donít understand how the only bid we received is now $10,000 higher than it was a month ago," Klug said.
City Administrative Coordinator Mike Gerady replied that the cost of copper has been fluctuating drastically, which drives the cost of a major wiring project such as this.
"I donít like to spend that kind of money on a project like this, but I feel we need to have a back-up generator in place in case something happens," Standish said. "We saw what can happen this past summer with the floods. Can you imagine if we had an ice storm that knocked all the power out in town? There wouldnít be anywhere for anyone to go to stay warm. At least we would have the three city buildings.
Fisch asked if the cityís electric department, which has funds available, could pay for the electrical work for the generator. City Administrator Bob Nelson felt that was a workable suggestion.
Klug said he felt the city needed more than one bid, and voted against the motion to accept the Hoskins bid, while the other four councilmembers voted in favor of the motion.
New transformer policy
All new homes in Caledonia will have the electrical transformers and junction boxes located near the city street on the front portion of their lots. The city decided to enact the policy after listening to a presentation by Thomas Nigon of PowerPlus Engineering.
PowerPlus is in the process of putting together a four-year plan for future housing additions in the city and feel now is the time to change city policy requiring electrical apparatus be located in front yards.
Currently, those types of apparatus are located along alley easements in the back yards of most properties. By placing them in front yards near city streets, that would ease maintenance costs, and in many cases cause considerably less disruptions to yards.
Nigon also informed the council some high-voltage underground lines are nearing the end of their life span and will have to be replaced. The high-voltage lines that were trenched in 30 years ago werenít made of the same durable materials used today. In certain parts of Caledonia, residents are having problems with power outages, due to the old lines. Those lines will be replaced in the next few years.
CUP approved
The council approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for Danielle Burg, 115 North Winnebago Street. Burg plans to operate a business called Independent Choices Assistance if Needed (ICAN) out of her home. She explained there would only be two persons working in the home and all the work would be clerical.
A public hearing on the request was held, but no one came forward to testify either for or against Burgís proposal.
Burgís request was unanimously approved.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com