MANSFIELD — Mansfield City Council in March will be asked to approve $232,772 for three 2022 Ford Interceptor vehicles for the police department — units now available on the dealer lot.
The Board of Control on Tuesday approved the request from police Chief Keith Porch, using American Rescue Plan Act funds. Council will likely vote on the purchase at its meeting March 1.
In December, City Council approved spending $375,836 from the city’s ARPA funds to order five new Dodge Charger police vehicles, though those are on order and made take up to a year to receive.
“We have the unique opportunity in that these vehicles are on the lot right now (at the Jim Shorkey Auto Group) in Pittsburgh,” Porch said. “They have agreed to hold them for us as long as they know we are moving ahead on them.”
The chief said the vehicles are fully equipped and ready for police usage.
The Board of Control (Mayor Tim Theaker, Finance Director Linn Steward and Public Works Director Dave Remy) discussed possibly purchasing the vehicles through a three-year, lease-to-own program.
Buying them outright, however, would save the city more $11,000 in interest.
If approved by City Council, the purchase will be made using part of the $5 million in “lost revenue” set aside from the $10.5 million the received in 2021 ARPA funding.
Also on Tuesday, the Board of Control:
— approved a $837,288.80 contract with Smith Paving & Excavating for Glessner Avenue streetscape improvements. This project is part of the West End Neighborhood Plan. Adrian Ackerman, director of community development in the city, said the bid was $60,000 lower than engineer estimates for the work.
— tabled a motion to approve hiring Richland Engineer, LTD, to serve as the inspector on the Glessner Avenue project. Ackerman said the Mansfield-based company is completing a contract for the effort.
— approved spending $26,070 with Oakstone Renovators repair cracks in the north and south stairwell walls at the Municipal Building and also paint the stairwells.
— approved spending $29,311 with MG Energy Solutions of Mansfield to upgrade controls for the new HVAC system being installed at the Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport Terminal Building.
