Mt. Pleasant holds off on buying equipment for new police car

MT. PLEASANT - The Mt. Pleasant Personnel and Finance Committee met Monday to discuss potential purchases for the police department and public works as well as Christmas decorations for the city.

City Administrator Brent Schleisman presented an email from Police Chief Lyle Murray inquiring about purchasing new bullet proof vests for officers and equipment needed to outfit a new car the department has purchased to be compatible with other cruisers. Murray asked if the department would be able to use COVID-19 funds the city receives to help with costs of the new equipment, which would cost approximately $16,009.

Deputy City Clerk Lori Davis, who is working with the state on COVID-19 funds the city is expected to receive, explained to the committee that she was told the city has three levels of approval to pass before receiving any money.

'Right now, we're on Level 1,” she said.

Schleisman suggested the committee not spend any money until those funds, expected to amount to $204,000, are 'in the bank.”

The committee decided to table the discussion of the police department purchases.

Rick Mullin, the city's director of public works, approached the committee about a water truck and tractor his department uses that are in need of repairs.

With the water truck, Mullin said his crew is patching up holes 'every three or four weeks,” for the vehicle, which is used to fix sewer issues. The department purchased the truck 1996. At the time of purchase, the truck was brand-new, Mullin said.

Mullin reached out to potential sellers and received one bid from MacQueen Equipment for a 2021 OMCO street flusher water tanker for $173,500.

The public works director said he inquired about potentially just replacing the tank, but the city's current water truck does not have the technological capabilities that new tanks generally require.

Mullin asked the committee to consider making upgrades to a current city tractor, which is used to mow the city's airport. The public works director said the department purchased the late-1970's model tractor around the year 2000.

Mullin said the department workers noticed every time the tractor was used, it required three gallons of oil every 10 days.

'She's getting a little wore out,” Mullin said of the tractor.

In speaking with local tractor dealer J.J. Nichting, Mullin reported it would cost approximately $15,000 for a new tractor or $10,000 for a new motor. If the department were to purchase a new tractor, Mullin said he would be looking in the medium range, a 60 to 75 horsepower machine.

For both pieces of equipment, the committee asked Mullin to continue exploring more options and to return with several more bids from sellers.

The committee received a request from Mt. Pleasant Main Street of $1,000 for Christmas decorations for the downtown space. Schleisman shared an email from Lisa Oetken, director of Main Street, which outlines that the nonprofit hopes to purchase 16 red metal bows to be placed on planters around the square and red ornaments for trees on all four corners around Central Park. The metal bows would replace the usual felt bows the city purchases each year, which do not survive beyond one holiday season. The metal bows would be crafted by Jess Hassenfritz from T. H. E Company.

Schleisman explained the city automatically allocates $1,000 a year to replace light bulbs and wreaths for Christmas decorations. The city had also pledged $4,000 last year to Main Street as part of a fundraising effort for a light display on the fountain in central park.

'We committed $4,000 as their effort to raise $25,000 to do a professional display in the fountain and fix the lights above the buildings. They did not try to go to fundraise because of the COVID,” Schleisman said.

The $4,000 comes from the city's hotel and motel tax. Committee member Terry McWilliams asked if the unused funds would automatically go to Main Street the following year if fundraising efforts resume. Schleisman said he would expect the group to return to the committee to ask for the funds again.

The committee decided to move ahead with providing the $1,000 for the decorations.

Other items

The committee approved tax increment financing indebtedness certifications. The city has certified the same amount from each TIF district for the last 10 years, which $487,000 out of TIF District 1 and $71,500 from TIF District 2 and $25,000 from TIF Districts 3 and 4.

The committee approved a continued contract with J & S Electronic Business Systems, which provides the city's information technology support. The three year contract is a $915 charge per month.