Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	David L. Corliss, Diane Stoddard, Cynthia Boecker, Jonathan Douglas
FROM:	Charles F. Soules
CC:	Tammy Bennett, Bob Yoos, Steve Stewart
Date:	May 12, 2009
RE:	Solid Waste Equipment Bids May 12, 2009 City Commission Agenda Item

The Solid Waste Division fleet has an established equipment replacement program.  Units are scheduled for replacement based on type of use, age, condition and repair history.  We have adjusted the rotation of the trucks (life-cycle) because we had found that the costs for engine replacements, transmission replacements, and suspension have sky-rocketed in the 8^th and 9^th year of operation for the heavy equipment in solid waste.  The repairs themselves are expensive, as is the downtime and service consequences.   We continue to extend the service of vehicles and equipment whenever possible. In addition to the replacement schedule, equipment is evaluated based on established criteria to ensure that replacement is appropriate to recommend when the budget submittal is being prepared, roughly April of each year.  Equipment is evaluated again in November / December, before actual replacement bid documents and specifications are prepared in January. 

Attached is a spreadsheet that provides age, mileage, hours and repair costs.

Please let me know if there are any questions.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

CFS/je

Attachment