Superior orders utility truck; delivery date October 2025

Members of the Superior City Council held a public hearing and wrapped up city business for September in a session which lasted about 30 minutes. However, in that time period the council was able to spend more than $450,000.

The biggest ticket item was a new digger-derrick truck for the utility department. The council approved the purchase of DM47E model from Altec with a cost of $305,000. Delivery is expected in October of 2025.

It will replace a 1994 unit purchased used more than 20 years ago. While assigned to the electric department, the truck is also used by the water, wastewater and parks department, often as a crane for lifting.

The electric department uses the truck for digging post holes and setting poles. The new truck is designed to lift some of the larger poles which the current truck can not handle.

A contract for $134,875 was awarded Premier Power of Grand Island to continue upgrading the west electric backbone to provide a more reliable system and allow the shifting of load between the north and south substations.

The project was started in 2019 and to date about two-thirds of the work has been completed. The last remaining sections are along Fifteenth Street. This year's project will focus on the lines west of Dakota Street. This area has been susceptible to galloping lines during high winds.

The council awarded a contract to Pierce Electronics in the amount of $14,044.07 for the replacement of police department radios.

The department's current radio equipment is about 10 years old. The new radios are expected to have greater communication compatibility with other departments in the area. They will have both digital and analog features and improve flexibility.

The council approved the promotion of Jason Hamilton to waste water department foreman. The position has been vacant since Landon Howell left the department in the spring of 2023.

As foreman Hamilton will be responsible for day-to-day operations, preventative maintenance, compliance regulatory oversight and emergency response.

Job descriptions for the swimming pool employees were updated.

The next council meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15, as the regular meeting date of Oct. 14, will be observed as city holiday--Columbus Day--and city offices will be closed.