City of Lockport approves DPW equipment

The City of Lockport approved the purchase a new 12 ton roller for asphalt compaction Wednesday.

The purchase was part of the city’s capital improvement bonding, where $200,000 was allotted to the department of public works for this year. The department could use the money to purchase any equipment that they deemed necessary and were in need of.

The bids were opened on July 27, and the city received four bids. Mayor Michael Tucker said that only one bid met the project guidelines and was awarded to Monroe Tractor, Inc. of Buffalo.

The bid for a 12 ton asphalt tandem drum vibratory roller was for $129,788.

Other bids received were from Five Star Equipment, Inc. of Orchard Park for $93,872, Vantage Equipment, LLC of Syracuse for $101,999 and Anderson Equipment Co. of Tonawanda for $112,740.

In other city news:

• At the next meeting, common council members will decide on whether to continue contracting with the Lockport City School District for a school resource officer.

Currently the officer is located out of the high school and is available for safety and security needs when school is in session. During breaks and the summer, the officer does patrol shifts for the city and is available for special events.

The district pays $50,000 towards the officer’s salary and the city picks up the remaining portion. The contract is for a 10-month period.

• Also at the next meeting, a decision will be made on which company the city will contract with to offer residents the option to pay bills with a credit card.

Alderman Ken Genewick said they are waiting until they know all of the costs and fees attributed to offering a kiosk at city hall to allow residents to come, swipe their card and pay for certain bills.

He said when the credit card system is up and running, they will start by offering the option of paying one type of bill, such as city water bills, by credit card and then phase in additional bills, such as parking tickets and city tax bills, one at a time.

• A resolution was passed allowing Amalgamated Local 686 UAW to barricade Vine Street from Walnut Street to Remick Parkway for the 14th annual Buy American Day and Car Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 8.