Council approves purchase of two new police cars

The Clear Lake City Council met on Monday night, Aug. 19, where they approved the purchase of two new police squad cars.

Under the recommendation of Chief Greg Peterson, the city bought two 2014 Chevy Caprice Classics.  

The vehicles will replace two 2008 Ford Crown Victoria vehicles.  Peterson noted at a meeting held on Aug. 5, 

that one of the Crown Victoria’s had been damaged in an accident and has not been a part of the fleet for some time, while the other had 115,000 miles on it.  Peterson also stated that Ford Motor Company has discontinued producing the Ford Crown Victoria.  After conducting research on replacement vehicles that are now available from various manufacturers he had it narrowed down to the Chevy Caprice, Ford Interceptor and Dodge Charger.  

Peterson said the Caprice offered a V-8 engine, ample trunk and leg room and had rear-wheel drive, which he stated as being much safer than front-wheel drive vehicles, for their ability to recover quicker should a driver lose control.

Peterson reviewed competitive quotes he received and Lake Chevrolet received the bid at a cost of $54,852.  The Council allocated $70,000 in the FY 14 municipal budget for the purchase and outfitting of the vehicles.

In other business, the council put plans on hold for the renovation to the public approach at 14th Ave. S. between the lake and South Lakeview Drive.  The council received only one bid for the project, which was 30 percent above the engineer’s estimate of $26,342.  Yohn and Co. submitted the bid for $36,024.

The plan for the project was to use porous - Read More Via e-Edition