TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Rod Tonelli, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
Purchase of One (1) Ford Interceptor from Ron Tirapelli Ford, Inc. in the amount of $42,742.26
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BACKGROUND:
On December 8, 2021, the 2022 City budget was approved by City Council. Included within this budget was the purchase of 25 Police Interceptor Units (PIU’s). An order for these vehicles was placed with Ron Tirapelli Ford, Inc. The order for these vehicles was then cancelled by the manufacturer. The vehicles were immediately reordered with no commitment to purchase them. Because there was no guarantee these units would be received due to manufacturing and market conditions, the City of Joliet later purchased 20 units from dealer stock at Morrow Brothers (CM#123-23). The majority of the vehicles ordered from RonTirapelli Ford, Inc. were sold to other buyers.
There are (3) three of the remaining original units available Ron Tirapelli Ford, Inc. The first of these is currently available on their lot and can be purchased for the original agreed upon 2022 price. The remaining two (2) vehicles are scheduled to be built when Ford begins production after the current work stoppage. These two (2) vehicles may be available at the original 2023 price level or may be considered 2024 units. If the vehicles are considered 2024 model year, they will be available for purchase at the same cost plus the model year difference in price. The additional two (2) units are specifically designed for use with our canine work force, so they have experienced additional delays and are slightly more expensive.
The purchase of police vehicles is proposed as part of the yet to be approved 2024 City Budget. Fleet Services is requesting permission to purchase the one currently available vehicle early utilizing 2024 funding order to procure available vehicles at a cost saving. When the remaining two (2) units become available a request will be made to purchase them as well, but pricing is not currently available for those units. The Public Service Committee reviewed this memo at the November 6, 2023 meeting and recommended for approval by full Council.
CONCLUSION:
Local dealers that the City has on-going relationships with were contacted and polled for their availability and ability to order the requested units. Rod Baker Ford, D’Orazio Ford, Ron Tirapelli Ford,Inc., Roesch Ford, Castle Ford, and Willowbrook Ford were contacted for the availability of these vehicles. All dealers contracted with the exception of Ron Tirapelli indicated that that none of the requested vehicles are currently available nor would they be for the foreseeable future.
Section 2-438 of the City of Joliet Code of Ordinances states that purchases over $25,000.00 may be awarded without written specifications or bidding under certain circumstances. One (1) of these circumstances applies:
(f) Purchases when authorized by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all members of the City Council then holding office.
Funds will be charged to the 2024 Fleet Capital Improvement Fund (Org 30010160, Object 557500, $42,724.26).
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based upon the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council approve the purchase of one (1) Ford Interceptor Police Unit, in the amount of $42,742.26 utilizing 2024 funds, from Ron Tirapelli Ford, Inc.
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