Meeting in special session Monday night, members of the Gillespie City Council voted unanimously to purchase a used vacuum truck members of the Public Works Committee had located online. The action comes just a week after Ald. Landon Pettit suggested during the regular December meeting that he would like to appropriate Motor Fuel Tax money to buy such equipment.
Mayor John Hicks called the special meeting so the council could make a decision while the truck was still available.
Street Department employees reportedly traveled to Wisconsin on Tuesday to pick up the used vehicle. Originally priced at $36,000, the vendor reduced the price to $26,000 because of repair work the vehicle reportedly needs. New vacuum trucks or newer model used trucks typically run from $200,000 to more than $350,000.
Last week, Pettit told the council a vacuum truck was a needed item. He said maintenance workers opened storm sewer manholes and found the sewer clogged with leaves and debris that could only be removed with a vacuum.
The vacuum truck uses a power vacuum system, plus high-pressure water jetting to loosen debris and remove it. Since the truck essentially will replace the city’s sewer better, that equipment was declared surplus and will be offered for sale.
In other action, the council approved a change order for ongoing remodeling work underway at the city’s water treatment plant.