City of Wayland talks about purchasing a new utility truck

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

WAYLAND ? The City of Wayland Utility Department will have three pickups, at least they will in the near future.

During the city council meeting Wednesday night, the council set the specifications for the new vehicle before approving the bid request.

The specifications included a 4.6 liter engine or larger, running boards and a receiver hitch.

Currently, the Utility Department has two vehicles, both Fords.

Mayor Brad Roth said Dodge and Chevrolet make trucks with double cabs; Ford just has an extended cab.

Gas Superintendent Barry Leichty said he didn?t care what brand of vehicle they received, just as long as it had a full bed and at least an extended cab. ?With the wrenches we have, it?s nicer to have the extra bed space. By the time we get our wrenches in, we only have about that much space,? he said lifting his hands and raising them about eight inches apart, ?between the tailgate and what wrenches we carry.?

Leichty added that even though nobody rides in the extra cab, it is put to use holding equipment.

The city will be ascertain bids from four locations, Shottenkirk, of Mt. Pleasant; Deery Brothers, in Iowa City; Mincer Ford Inc., out of Columbus Junction; and Capper Inc., in Washington.

As for additional accessories for the pickup, Liechty said the department has most of the tools they already need to equip a new truck. However, the city would need to purchase a magnetic antenna for the vehicle as well as a toolbox. Liechty said he prefers White Cap toolboxes as they are well made, durable and can be switched out between all of the utility vehicles.

The council went ahead and approved the toolbox purchase.

?All we need is the truck now,? joked Councilman Greg Rich.

The council also spoke to the fire department about utilizing one of their radios for the new utility truck. Representatives from the fire department stated their new fire truck would be in around July. At that point, they would be able to switch the digital radio from the old truck to the utility truck. Police Chief Ron Roth also offered one of his hand held radios to the utility department.

In other business, the council approved the sell of city property, lot No. 14, except for the north 50 feet, and lot No. 15, except for the south 25 feet, of North Plains Estate Plat I to Richard R. and Candace Shadden. The motion was approved following a public hearing.

During the public forum, Ron Reid, of 306 S. Brooks St., said due to the large amounts of precipitation already this year, his yard and window wells are filled with water. Reid asked that when the city is plowing, they not drop snow near his house. Instead, he asked if they would take the snow further down the street and into a large ditch.

Reid also asked the council if they would be amenable to him tiling his front yard to help with the water.

Mayor Roth stated he felt that might be the best solution to Reid?s problem.

The council will meet next on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 p.m., at City Hall.