ELY –If residents have noticed that the city here has been a bit slower than usual to clear the streets this winter, it’s not just because of the plentiful snowfall. The city’s industrial-sized snow blower has spent more time in the maintenance garage than on the streets, and finally wore out to the point that making repairs is no longer feasible.

Clerk-Treasurer Harold Langowski told city council members Tuesday night that it makes more sense to buy a new piece of equipment than to keep repairing the 1985 German model that was purchased in used condition more than two decades ago from a Colorado airport.

“It served the city fairly well,” he said. “It was manufactured in Germany and parts availability is absolutel non-existent. Our mechanics did wonders trying to make parts and keep the thing operating.”

So far this winter, the city’s snow blower has broken down as many as four separate times, Langowski said. “Some (repairs) were minor, like a fuel leak issue and a broken oil line that were fixed within a day or two. The gear box experienced an issue about three weeks ago and they were able to get the equipment back up and running for another week, then we had an epic failure in the gear box.”

The city’s maintenance department reached out to salvage companies and other contractors that use the same type of snow blower, seeking any available replacement parts. “We haven’t even received a call back from anyone,” Langowski said.

He noted that for several thousand dollars, the gearbox could be repaired again. “But we would still have a machine that is obsolete,” he said. “It is our recommendation that we purchase a new snow blower.”

Utilizing the state bid process and a cooperative purchasing agreement, Langowski requested spending $104,226.96 for a new Snocrete Model 984D from Fair Manufacturing, Inc. of Yankton, S.D. “We received a quote from this manufacturer for the same piece of equipment back in 2013 for $113,000,” he added.

Other similar machines on the state bid list cost more and were much heavier and would not operate on the front of the city’s loader, he said. The model recommended for purchase weighs in at 9,000 pounds and has a cutting width of 108 inches and a cutting height of 54 inches. The impeller is more than 47 inches in diameter and the unit’s Cummins engine is rated at 275 horsepower.

“The snow blower is located in Yankton, S.D., about nine hours away, and we can utilize someone local to pick it up for us,” Langowski said. “Otherwise we would have to wait for them to deliver it. We can have it here by about March 19.”

Mayor Chuck Novak noted that the purchase has been on the city’s equipment list for many years. “I think one time we had a bent shaft to repair on that thing. We got lucky on that,” he said. “I think we have gotten a lot of good use out of that.”

There is a one-year warranty on the new blower and a two-year warranty on the engine, Langowski added. “Any warranty work would come out of Duluth.”

The purchase was approved unanimously.

On the subject of snow, Fire Chief Tom Erchull said city crews “have been doing a great job” keeping fire hydrants clear, but he implored residents to help keep a three-foot area cleared around the hydrants near their homes. “That would greatly help us in the event of a fire,” he said.

Other business

In other business, the council:

-Approved a special meeting on Thursday, April 11, from 5-6 p.m., for the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization in council chamber.

-Approved a recommendation from the Heritage Preservation Commission to offer for sale as many as 200 “E” chairs, for $15 each, from the former Ely Community Center.

-Agreed with a recommendation from the Budget Committee to purchase new air packs for the Ely Fire Department at a cost of approximately $130,000 through a FEMA grant.

-Approved changes to the transient food vendor ordinance as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Committee and agreed to move the issue to the Planning and Zoning Commission for further discussion.

-OK’d changes to the job descriptions for the water/wastewater operator and infrastructure maintenance worker positions.

-Accepted the resignation of Dixon Shelstad from the Ely Tree Board and accepted his recommendation to name Vermilion Community College instructor Rita Koch to the board.

-Accepted a proposal from Andy and Paula Hill to purchase a city-owned lot on Sibley Drive for $10,000.