Cloverdale council approves trade-in for 2022 trucks

CLOVERDALE – A month after Town Manager Jason Hartman was given the blessing to purchase a new work truck, Cloverdale’s fleet of work vehicles could soon include two new trucks.

Hartman outlined this potential during the Cloverdale Town Council’s meeting Tuesday evening.

The council previously authorized Hartman to purchase a 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid work truck for $46,000, the price it would be after government concessions. The authorization fulfilled a promise by the town to provide Hartman with a vehicle when he became town manager last year.

Hartman said the hybrid model was not available when he, Council President Rick Dearwester and Street Superintendent Brad Fulk recently went to get it. As such, another truck was bought for $6,000 cheaper. However, they and Kent Goldman, a Cloverdale reserve police sergeant who works for Andy Mohr Ford, then touched on town vehicles that could be traded in eventually.

The two trucks brought into the question were two diesel crew cabs, one a 2011 and the other a 2018, with the trade-in value, Hartman said, being more than expected. He provided that the current market for diesels and crew cabs is “insane” after seeing other similar trucks on the lot. He added that the two crew cabs, which are now being used by Fulk and Water Treatment Manager Richard Saucerman, were not necessarily required for the work they are required to do.

Goldman offered $55,000 for the 2018 and $28,000 for the 2011. This being said, Hartman added that he had quotes for either a Ford F-250 or an F-350 for pulling. But the town could get both an F-250 and an F-150, both of them being 2022 models, and thus essentially get $6,000 back. While Council Vice President Larry Fidler advocated getting an F-350, this would be a “wash” for $300.

“I had not gone there with the intention of doing any of this,” Hartman said, adding that he had consulted with Clerk-Treasurer Kelly Maners about finances and whether “it makes sense.” He also acknowledged a bi-annual vehicle replacement plan he drew up now being thrown off-kilter.

Despite these concerns, the council ultimately approved for Hartman to trade in the two old crew cabs and spend up to $5,000 on lighting and switching out the packages on the new 2022 trucks.

In other business:

• The council approved a quote for purchasing a new Ferris lawn mower from JTN Outdoor Power Equipment for $9,519. This being one of four offers between JTN and Humphrey’s Outdoor Power, Hartman said the available equipment was comparable. In making the motion, Councilman Greg Jay noted that the town has engaged with JTN for other services.

• With no questions or input, the council held a public hearing on Ordinance 2022-1 for additional appropriations. The addition is $40,000 that was not used last year, in which it will be available for the 2022 budget. The council will vote on the ordinance next month.

• The council approved and waived the second reading for Ordinance 2022-2 establishing a cash change fund. Maners said that the town office has had a cash change drawer with its own internal controls, but that this has been outside the town’s actual accounting system.

• The council approved and waived the second readings for Ordinances 2022-3 and 2022-4, both of which concern zoning.

The first recognizes the rezoning of a property on Stardust Road from business to industrial last August. Hartman noted that it had no legal description then, but that it and a survey were submitted.

The second recognizes the zoning of a vacant lot that was approved last September. Hartman recently drafted the ordinance for approval and submission to the Putnam County Recorder’s Office.

• The council approved a REACH alert system which would remotely notify residents of a utility emergency. Maners noted that such issues could be pinpointed to specific areas. The total annual cost would be $2 per household with approximately 800 having the service, but the cost for the first year would be $1. Residents will have to sign up to receive the alerts.

• The council approved additions to the remodeling of the conference room in the town office as well as furniture. The additions include upper cabinets, a granite countertop and a new door. These will take the total cost for the remodel from about $8,000 to $10,385, but Hartman noted that this is still under other quotes which were received. Meanwhile, a new table and 10 chairs with leather bottoms and mesh backs were approved for $1,349 and $340 each, respectively. Maners said the furniture would not arrive for a few months yet.

Dearwester was not in attendance at the meeting. Joining Fidler, Jay, Hartman and Maners were council member Cindy Holland, Town Marshal Steve Hibler and Town Attorney Richard Shagley.

The next regular meeting of the Cloverdale Town Council is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Cloverdale Town Hall.