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CITY OF WEST CHICAGO
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: zac
Purchase of One Forestry/Brush Cutter 60” Attachment for Skid
Steer (Bobcat) with Engine Compartment Seal Kit, 700 Series
and Tier 4 Forestry Application Kit M Series from Atlas Bobcat
STAFF REVIEW: Mehul T. Patel, P.E, CFM., Director of Public Works siGnaTure_M,V.4 a
APPROVED BY CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Michael L. Guttman SIGNATURE
COMMITTEE AGENDA DATE: October 7, 2021
COUNCIL AGENDA DATE: October 18, 2021
ITEM SUMMARY:
The Street Division staff, in past years, has rented a brush cutter attachment for the Bobcat to clear Rights-of-way
(ROWSs) of trees and other roadside brush, to increase the visibility at intersections and other critical areas. It has
also been used to gain access to City utilities such as watermain, sanitary sewers and storm sewers in overgrown
areas that cannot be easily accessed or be maintained by hand or with mowers (e.g. the pond on Carolina Drive,
which is maintained by City staff).
The attachment enables increased productivity and safety by reducing the size of the work crew needed, and
limiting crew exposure to biting/stinging insects, poison ivy, and other common hazards associated with clearing
brush by hand. Without the attachment, crews of five to eight people using chainsaws, hand pruners, the brush
chipper, and flaggers (if needed for traffic safety) are required to complete the work which can be done by one
operator and a helper (if needed). Due to budget considerations, the cutter attachment was typically rented for only
one week (approximately $1,500.00/week) and not all of the areas requiring clearing could be completed in that
period of time. The remaining areas would then require crews using hand tools and chipper(s) to complete. Staff
believes it will be more cost effective to own the attachment rather than renting each year. Owning the attachment
will also enable the flexibility to schedule its use more frequently to complete all areas, and have on hand when
needed for emergencies at any time throughout the year.
For 2021, Bobcat holds a joint purchasing contract under the Sourcewell Cooperative Contracting Program
(formerly National Joint Powers Alliance Program) with Atlas Bobcat in West Chicago, Illinois / Elk Grove Village,
Illinois, being the local authorized Bobcat vendor for our area. The City is a member of the Sourcewell Program.
Sourcewell is a municipal cooperative contracting agency that provides nationally leveraged and competitively
solicited purchasing contracts under the guidance of the Uniform Municipal Contracting law for use by education,
government, and non-profits.
For the Forestry Cutter attachment specified by the City, Atlas Bobcat submitted a price quote of $31,900.00 under
the Sourcewell Program. The government discount offered through the Sourcewell Program is twenty-four percent
(24%) below list price. This item was budgeted for in the Capital Equipment Replacement Fund (04-34-39-4804)
where adequate funds are available.
ACTIONS PROPOSED:
That the West Chicago City Council authorize the purchase of a 60” Forestry Cutter and its supporting components
from Atlas Bobcat in West Chicago, Illinois / Elk Grove Village, Illinois, through Sourcewell Cooperative
Contracting Program for an amount not to exceed $31,900.00.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The Infrastructure Committee voted 5-0 for approval.