Council holds hybrid meeting

PRESCOTT – December’s meeting of the Prescott City Council was a hybrid affair.

This is because several members chose to meet via Zoom, while others opted to meet in person at City Hall. Overall, the meeting didn’t last long as there were few items on the agenda.

The main topic of discussion was the leasing of a 2020 Freightliner boom truck for Prescott Water and Light. Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver said the department needs a boom truck as the ones it has are more than 20 years old. In fact, the two the city has are 1996 and 1998 models, both barely passed inspection this past year. The new truck arrived in September at a cost of $213,000 when the decision was made to lease it instead of trying to buy it outright.

Prescott City Attorney did the required legal  work and wrote a resolution the council approved.

Larry Jones, Jr., said the major difference between the new truck and the old ones is the new one has three lifts whereas the old ones only had two. The new truck will also extend up to 65-feet and out 25-feet with a higher weight range than the older ones. Jones also pointed out the ones the city has barely passed inspection this year and may not pass next year. If they don’t the city’s option is to auction them off.

Jones told the council the  problem is the liners and buckets, though there are also problems with the motor itself. Independent contractors, he added, can use them with no problem as they don’t  have to adhere to the same rules as electric departments. He also told the council these trucks last 20-25 years.

In other business, the council approved amending the 2020 budget and filling three vacancies on the Parks and Recreation Department.

Robert Smallwood’s position expired and he was replaced with Jason Davis. The other slots were filled by those currently holding them, Felix Wiley and Pat Grimes. Their terms were expiring, but both asked to be appointed again.