Chelsea council approves vehicle and plant maintenance purchases, corrects prior contract math

The Chelsea City Council approved several capital and maintenance expenditures during its meeting, including a corrected contract amount, a bucket truck purchase, a crane to service a submersible lift station and clarifier repairs.

The police chief (S15) said a previous Columbus contract had been miscalculated and that the correct total was $28,496.92; he said the item was budgeted and asked the council to approve the correction. The council approved the corrected figure by motion.

Mister Bollinger (S17) recommended purchase of a used 2023 Freightliner bucket truck with chip box, reporting that a national search turned up a suitable unit in Jackson and that the vehicle was about $55,000 over the original budget. "If I was in your seat, the 1st question I would ask is, okay. This is $55,000 over budget. Where is the money coming from?" Bollinger said, then explained the electric department would reallocate existing line items rather than seek a budget amendment. Council approved the purchase not to exceed $150,400.

Superintendent Chan (S18) recommended outfitting an existing 2008 F-450 with a Venturo 35-16E crane to service a new submersible lift station and presented two quotes; the council approved the $19,990.76 quote. Chan also recommended awarding OME $27,510 to sandblast and recoat clarifier number 3; council approved the award after noting variance among quotes.

Council described the purchases as necessary for operations and approved them by voice vote; staff said they would identify funding within departmental budgets when possible to avoid budget amendments.