02-13-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 13, 2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. (12. APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTORICITYENGINEER, Continued) Works /City Engineer as well as the transfer of the golf course operations to the Public Works Department. 13. AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE 2012 SQUAD CARS Chief Correy Farniok stated the Orono Police Department would like to purchase two new Dodge Police Chargers in the next few months. Farniok stated in order to receive the discounted pricing, the order must be placed by April 24th. Ford no longer manufactures the Crown Victoria. Franchot commented the Chargers seem to be breaking down a lot sooner than the Fords based on the mileage, and asked what cars are being replaced. Farniok stated once the purchase is made and the cars are delivered; the vehicles would probably have closer to 75,000 to 80,000 miles on them. Rahn asked what the total cost is of replacing a squad car, including the transfer of the equipment from one squad car to another. Farniok indicated they set aside approximately $30,000 per vehicle. Money is typically saved by transferring the equipment from vehicle to vehicle but when Dodge changed the style last year, they had • to purchase new push bumpers and interior roll cages. The Police Department is staying with the Chargers so the equipment can be transferred. The total cost of a new vehicle will be under $30,000. The squad setup is approximately $2,500 per vehicle. Rahn stated some cities have 100,000 mile warranties and asked whether Dodge offers that. Farniok stated that information is included in the memo and that they do have different packages. Farniok indicated they have not seen a lot of major mechanical repairs to the Dodge Chargers. Rahn stated he is in agreement with Council Member Franchot that the Police Department should not be trading in cars at 75,000 miles and that it is surprising these cars are breaking down with so few miles. Farniok pointed out that police squad cars are not your typical commuter car. It took Ford almost 20 years to develop a car that lasted a long time. Dodge has just entered into this market and they have been making gradual improvements to the Charger. Rahn asked what would happen if the cars were not replaced this year and they broke down, what impact that would have on the service that is provided. Farniok stated in the short -term there probably would not be an impact, but that it would become more noticeable in the summer with the special events. (Recess taken from 9:03 p.m. to 9:09 p.m.) • Farniok stated as it relates to the mileage, there is a fair amount of idle time with the vehicles. Ford uses the equivalency of 33 miles per hour for idle time. The Police Department's current Ford has an idle time of 5,326 hours on the idle meter, which is equivalent to 160,000 miles. Farniok noted that police squad Page 17 of 22