From Toni Hopper at The Marlow Review (www.marlowreview.com)
Current city-owned fleet aging, maintenance costs increase
Marlow city council members unanimously agreed to approve a contract with Enterprise Fleet Management for an equity lease agreement, maintenance management and fleet rental agreement to handle vehicle acquisition for the city.
City Administrator Jason McPherson said the city has 29 vehicles, which over time will eventually be declared as surplus and a lease agreement will allow the city better vehicles and less maintenance worries in the long run.
He said it will be more money for Enterprise Fleet, but the advantage for the city will be in not having to purchase vehicles and maintain the upkeep on them as they age. Currently, several of the city-owned vehicles are around 10 years old. With the agreement, the city will take care of tire rotations, oil changes and small maintenance items, but a $6 per month per vehicle charge by Enterprise Fleet will handle the larger maintenance issues for standard vehicles, such as animal control, police units and other city vehicles. As vehicles are pushed through surplus, it allows the city to turn around and contract for better vehicles through the lease option.
“I think it’s going to be beneficial,” McPherson said. Council member Jon Rich asked about the cost analysis. McPherson said that it’s possible they can turn over 5 to 7 vehicles a year, but to completely replace everything in one year it would not be financially feasible. Council member Greg Brooks said from the corporate angle, which is in no way to compare to the city’s situation, but he knows that Enterprise Fleet has a positive reputation.
McPherson also said it won’t be hard to choose six or seven vehicles over this next year to surplus. He cited the animal control unit which is a 2013 model and not the correct size. He said it has between 86 to 87,000 miles on it. With that aging comes more maintenance issues. The contract will provide better, newer models for the city.
Council also approved declaring two police vehicles, a 2017 Chevy Tahoe and a 2013 Ford Explorer, for surplus.
In other business, the council discussed and approved ceasing rental agreements for the Redbud Community Center as of Dec. 31. Currently booked agreements for 2024 will still be honored, but after 2024, there will be no more rentals of the Center. The Center is used daily for the senior nutrition program, with about 50 meals delivered daily, and another 50 meals served in the building. The rental business has decreased since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Only about 25-30 rentals take place there in a year. There was also the discussion of keeping the facility clean after rental use. McPherson pointed out there are several other facilities in town, including the Marlow Event Center, the Senior Citizen Center, and it appears a building on the east side of the city could open up and be available to larger parties of around 75 individuals.
Tyler Lowe of Ninnekah was approved by council at Tuesday’s meeting to serve as permanent municipal judge.
Council also agreed to approve Resolution 489 nominating McPherson for the District 9 board seat on the Oklahoma Municipal League board of directors.
Ordinance 457 adding purchasing policies to the Codes and Ordinance of the City of Marlow.
Also approved: Adoption of the emergency clause of Ordinance 457 as defined by 11 O.S. 14-103 necessary for the immediate preservation of peace, health or safety;
Authorizing the Mayor to execute the Affidavit of land or mineral ownership: Exempt business or Trust relating to the Quit Claim Deed accepted by the City on Sept. 24; Meeting dates for the Planning and Zoning Commission for Calendar Year 2024; Meeting dates for City Council CY2024.
In the Marlow Municipal Authority portion of the meeting, the following items were approved: Contract with Fast Forward for thermal imaging and FEMA data
collection services for the electrical transmission and distribution system for $15,000; declaring a 1992 GMC C7000 Digger truck, and a Ditch Witch Trencher Model No. CMWH313XC60000167 as surplus; Meeting dates for the MMA Trustees for CY2024.