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Fleet Maintenance Facility
Jim Openshaw, Fleet Manager
Verdgil Crow, Shop Foreman/Master Mechanic
Jason Ketsdever, Journeyman Mechanic
Mike Haslam, Journeyman Mechanic
Janet Lowe, Secretary/Service Writer
Tire pressure and condition are very important for safe driving. Changes in air temperature will cause changes in tire pressure, so it should be checked often during the winter. Correct tire pressure for each vehicle is posted on the label on the edge of the driver side door by the door latch. If the writing is not legible, a recommended tire pressure can be found on the tires themselves. Also, check for tire wear. Locate the wear bars placed at various intervals between the tire treads. These are little bridges of rubber that go between the tire tread, but are much lower. If the tread is level with the wear bars, it is time to replace your tires. Another way to measure is to use a penny. Put the penny between the treads with Lincoln upside down. If the tread doesn't extend into his hair, the tires should be replaced. Less tread than that, 1/16th of an inch, will not pass safety inspection.
During cold weather, it is better to keep your fuel tank at least half full. This will help prevent condensation in the tank, which results in water in the fuel.
The Fleet Maintenance Shop is the hidden department in every city. Shop personnel operate behind the scenes to provide support for the other City departments. Other departments are in direct contact with the public, while the Shop is strictly a support service. Vehicles and equipment are purchased, maintained, and repaired at the Shop, which is located at 980 West Forest Street.
The City owns equipment that runs the gamut from lawn mowers to heavy equipment. Our three mechanics are responsible for the care and maintenance of Parks, Golf Course, and Cemetery lawn care equipment, golf carts, emergency vehicles (police, fire, and ambulance), sewer equipment, automated refuse collection vehicles, street sweeper, loaders, backhoes, a road grader, snow and ice removal equipment, and line trucks for the Light and Power Department. In addition to the extensive variety of vehicle and equipment work, our mechanics do welding fabrication for other departments and repair small equipment like chain saws, weed trimmers, and push mowers. It is a daunting responsibility, but our employees' abilities and drive are up to the challenge.
The quality of work done by our mechanics is critical to the operation of all City equipment. It can be said that the Fleet Shop keeps the rest of the City on the road.
The Fleet Lease Program ensures timely replacement of every unit in the fleet. Replacement expense is calculated and prorated as a monthly charge per unit to each department. This is paid into a replacement fund each month, so that when the projected life of each unit has expired, funds are available to replace it.
The Fleet Manager arranges the sale of vehicles and equipment that have reached the end of their assigned life cycles. When sold at the end of the life cycle, vehicles and equipment are still in good enough condition that they can provide the greatest return to the City. The funds are then available to help in the purchase of other equipment. The life cycle of each type of equipment is calculated to end at a point before age related problems become more costly than replacement with a reliable piece of equipment are worth.
If you are interested in purchasing used city vehicles or equipment, visit our auction page.
For more information, contact Janet at 723-1374. |
