In the Turlock City Council’s first meeting scheduled to start at 6 p.m., there are no planes or trains on the agenda – just automobiles.
Two agenda items addressing the purchase of new city vehicles will take center stage during Tuesday’s meeting.
If approved, the Turlock Police Department will apply for a $98,861,92 grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to purchase four electric scooters and four plug-in hybrid cars.
The Trikke Tribred Patrol scooters would cost $4,715.48 each, allowing officers to scoot through crowded street fairs, conduct parking enforcement, or patrol the Stanislaus County Fair. Each scooter can travel 30 miles on a charge, at a maximum speed of 18 miles per hour.
The Ford Fusion plug-in hybid cars would cost $31,188 each, with the air district paying $20,000 of each vehicle’s cost. The remainder would be funded from the Turlock Police Department’s existing vehicle replacement fund. The cars, which can achieve 50 miles per galon, would replace existing fleet vehicles in need of replacement.
Turlock City Councilmembers will also be asked to approve the purchase of five 2013 Chevrolet 2500 HD Regular Silverado pickup trucks with utility bodies from Smith Chevrolet Cadillac, of Turlock.
Turlock would pay $26,453 per truck – $132,265 for the entire order – including sales tax, applicable fees, and an extended warranty. Smith Chevrolet Cadillac offered the three-quarter ton trucks at a lower cost than comparable vehicles from a Redwood City Ford dealer, or Turlock Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
The vehicles would replace five high-mileage pickup trucks in the Parks, Recreation, and Public Facilities Division and the Municipal Services Department which are constantly in need of repairs and maintenance. The old trucks would be surplused.
The new, 6 p.m. start time which will take effect Tuesday will be the start time of all Turlock City Council meetings going forward. The earlier start time is said to make it easier for city staff and members of the public alike to attend.
On Tuesday, the Turlock City Council is also expected to:
• Issue a proclamation in honor of National Library Week, which runs from April 14 to 20.
• Hear a presentation on Lemonade Day, a youth entrepreneurship program, from program assistant director Darla Nelson.
• Present the Sunnyside Farms Turlock Dairy Division with the 2012 Northern California Large Facility of the Year award, from Super Stores Industries.
• Receive a regular, monthly update on capital projects and building activity.
• Conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation in closed session.
• Conduct labor negotiations in closed session.
The Turlock City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Yosemite Room of Turlock City Hall, 156 S. Broadway.
