Macedonia may soon be a trailblazer in the area of electric service vehicles.
Council will explore the potential purchase of a 2023 electric pickup truck later this month. The truck, if purchased, would be added to the service department’s fleet.
“I believe we will be one of the first municipalities to have it and test it and try it,” Mayor Nicholas Molnar said at the January 12 Council meeting.
The legislation was introduced on first reading which would allow the purchase to be made without the necessity of advertisement and formal bidding.
The legislation will be discussed at the next Council meeting, Molnar said.
“These trucks are made for commercial use only and are not being sold to the public,” Molnar added.
And while Molnar supported the potential purchase, he expressed a spark of skepticism.
“As the son of a UAW worker, I’m skeptical,” Molnar said. “ But in the same respect, I think we should give this a try.”
The vehicle would require little or no maintenance, according to a city mechanic. And the batteries are guaranteed for eight years.
“We want to try one of them,” the mayor said. “We are not saying that in the future we are going to replace every truck in our fleet with one.”
The truck will be used to transport workers and equipment to and from job sites, Molnar said.
“We want to test it and see if it’s cost prohibitive or cost effective for what we are doing,” Molnar added. “We don’t have that answer and I really don’t know.”
According to the mayor, the city tossed its hat into the proverbial ring for one of the vehicles about two years ago.
Molnar said if legislation to purchase the truck is passed in the near future, the truck would be ready. He added that the cost for the electric vehicle is comparable with a new gasoline powered pickup.
Other legislation.
- An ordinance was passed authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with the Summit County Public Defender’s Commission for the representation of indigent persons charged with violations of the codified ordinances of the city of Macedonia.
- An ordinance was passed amending the agreement between the city of Macedonia and Chagrin Valley Engineering, LTD. relative to compensation for the engineering services provided to the city by the city engineer.
- An ordinance was passed confirming the reappointment of John M. Verse as the director of finance for the city of Macedonia. Verse retired and was rehired. The move was budget neutral to the city.
- A resolution was passed authorizing the city engineer to prepare plans, bids, and specifications, and further authorizing the mayor to advertise for bids, for various roadway improvements for the 2023 Roadway Improvement Program.
- A final resolution was passed requesting the director of transportation to proceed with the installation of certain pavement markings along state Route 8 for project D04 PM R-WR FY2023 – PID NO. 115375, relative to a portion of state Route 8 located within the city of Macedonia.
- A resolution was passed confirming the appointments of the Charter Review Commission.
- An ordinance was passed amending sections 161.12(b)(2), 161.13(a)(1), AND 161.15(g) of the Codified Ordinances of the city of Macedonia relative to certain employee benefits.
- A motion was passed to accept a donation from Plastic Process Equipment, Inc. in the amount of $1,200 to be utilized by the Macedonia Police Department for certain law enforcement purposes.
- A motion was passed to accept a donation from Plastic Process Equipment, Inc. in the amount of $1,200 to be utilized by the Macedonia Fire Department for certain equipment.
- Motion to enter into executive session according to R.C. 121.22(G)(4) for the preparation for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment.
