IM looks to West Coast for used street sweeper
This 2011 Elgin Crosswind street sweeper advertised for sale by Truck Site of Sacramento, Calif., is an ex-military unit that has been repainted. (Contributed photo)
IRON MOUNTAIN — A used street sweeper will be transported from California to meet the city of Iron Mountain’s needs at a savings of about $200,000 from buying new.
The city council this week approved the purchase of a 2011 Elgin Crosswind from a Sacramento dealer for $169,500. The cost for a comparable new sweeper would be about $370,000 to $380,000, City Manager Jordan Stanchina said.
“We use it two months out of the year,” he noted.
Although the vehicle is 15 years old, it hasn’t been used much — just 86 sweeping hours with 2,695 miles. Also, the International 4300 vacuum sweeper was manufactured before emission standards were tightened, which could mean fewer mechanical issues, Stanchina said.
Truck Site in California has acquired a number of sweepers formerly used on military bases and refurbished them, which explains the low mileage, the council was told. The shipping cost will be $3,300.
Last month, the council had approved spending $23,005 for repairs to a 2008 Elgin Eagle mechanical street sweeper. However, after more problems were found, city staff began looking at other options.
The 2008 sweeper will now be advertised on the Wisconsin Surplus auction site. It has 81,207 miles and 8,381 hours of use.
The city will also sell a 2005 Elgin Crosswind vacuum sweeper on the auction site. That unit has severe rust in the collection system, 82,093 miles and 9,966 hours of sweeping.
The amount of money set aside in next year’s budget for a replacement sweeper will about cover the purchase cost for the 2011 vehicle, Stanchina said.
In other action Monday, the city council:
— Approved advertising additional items on Wisconsin Surplus: a 2008 Ford F-250 low roof van; a 2014 Dodge Charger police vehicle, no longer drivable; a 2006 Holder tractor with snowplow and snow blower; a Kubota tractor-style lawnmower with mechanical issues; a 1967 Snow-Go truck with blower unit; a metal band saw; a collection of push lawnmowers; and two lots of weed whackers.
— Authorized for public works the purchase of a 2025 Ram Promaster high roof cargo van with 14,273 miles for $37,119 from Holz Motors Inc. in Hales Corners, Wis.
— Approved sending a recruit to the Northern Michigan University Regional Police Academy. The estimated cost to the city is $23,000, with reimbursement of $20,000 expected through a Michigan Public Safety Academy Assistance grant. Two city officers recently resigned and the city is in the process of hiring replacements.
— Appointed Mayor Dale Alessandrini as an alternate to the Board of Review.
— Heard Virginia Feleppa of the Iron Mountain Tree Board say the panel will share information concerning tree selection and best practices in an effort to promote Arbor Day, celebrated the last Friday in April, and to help make the public aware of resources available locally.
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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.



