Waupaca Common Council approves equipment purchases

By Robert Cloud

Public Works trucks, the Waupaca Farm Market, Swan Park shelters and a Rotary clock were among the issues discussed at the Jan. 17 Waupaca Common Council meeting.

Rotary clock

City Administrator Aaron Jenson reported that the Waupaca Rotary Club is raising funds to install a clock in downtown Waupaca.
The four-sided analog clock will be mounted to a metal post and stand about 16 feet tall.

“The clock would serve as a promotional item for Rotary while also being a great aesthetic addition to our downtown,” Jenson said in a memo.

The lawn in front of city hall has been discussed as a possible site for the clock.

Council will need to approve the final details.

Equipment purchases

Public Works Director Justin Berrens asked the council to approve the purchase of two trucks in 2023.

Berrens said the Wastewater Department needs to replace a 2008 Ford F250 that plows snow around the wastewater treatment plant and has a bumper hoist to lift pumps and motors from lift stations.

“This truck is showing its age with some unusual running noise and a leak in the plow cylinder,” Berrens said in a memo to the council.

“We budgeted $85,000 to replace it,” Berrens said at the Jan. 17 meeting, noting that the department wanted to replace the pickup with a utility-box vehicle.

Berrens said his department has had problems recently when purchasing new equipment. Last time the department purchased a new truck, it took 15 months to arrive.

Staff located three utility-box trucks on at Kunes Automotive lots.

A 2022 RAM 2500 utility body was the lowest priced truck. It will cost the city $63,716, which includes a municipal discount, running boards and a spray-in bed liner at no additional cost.

After the truck arrives, the city will add orange caution lights and city decals for an additional $5,000.

The city will use the existing plow in the new truck, but will replace the hoist, which is estimated to cost an additional $15,000.

Purchase of the hoist will require council approval at a future meeting.

The council unanimously approved a total of $69,000 for the new truck. Funding will come from sewer-utility revenue bonds.
Berrens requested a second truck for street superintendent Roger Hansen.

Public Works had budgeted $90,000 in 2023 to replace two Street Department trucks, but increased costs for vehicles made it possible to purchase only one truck.

“Roger Hansen visited both local dealers,” Berrens said. “Only one truck was found that we thought might fit with our needs.”
Neuville Motors found a 2023 Chevy Silverado 2500 quad-cab across state.

The quad cab allows the Street Department to send multiple people to a work site. He also noted that Hansen often needs to go out on emergency calls late at night.

Berrens said Neuville could procure that truck with a dealer trade.

Total cost with discounts and add-ons is estimated at $54,000.

Council unanimously approved the purchase, with funding to come from the general obligation bond.

Farm Market

Jenson told council members that Living the Waupaca Way announced it will no longer be associated with the Waupaca Farm Market.

Along with Extension Waupaca County and the city of Waupaca, Living the Waupaca Way was a partner in sponsoring the market.

Jenson said the mission of Living the Waupaca Way is “to help get start-up initiatives and efforts off the ground and step away when they believe the effort can sustain itself.”

Lindsey Pietrzak, the market manager, is currently looking into creating a board of directors and bylaws for the organization.
City staff is also have discussions on how they could best assist the market.

“Conversations will continue throughout the next couple months as the 2023 season approaches,” Jenson said in his report. “As of now, there are unknowns regarding details of the 2023 farm market.”

Swan Park shelters

Council approved rental fees for the two shelters at Swan Park.

Laura Colbert, the city’s parks and rec director, said Swan Park has two covered shelters, one located at the center of the four ball fields and the Lions shelter located near the future site of the splash pad.

“With the addition of the splash pad at Swan Park, we are predicting an influx of parties, an overall increase of time spent at Swan Park and a need to better regulate the spaces,” Colbert reported. “Therefore, we would like to add both the Swan Park main shelter and the Lions shelter to our list of rentable shelters.”

City residents would pay a $60 rental fee to use one of the shelters.

Residents of other towns or cities would pay an $80 rental fee.

An $80 refundable deposit will be required.

The city will also charge a $10 fee to permit the consumption of beer and other fermented malt beverages while using the shelter.

To use the concession areas, those using the shelters must pay an additional $20.

Rental fees for Swan Park shelters are the same as rental fees at South Park.