Joliet Buying $95,000 Motorized Tram For Downtown Joliet, Vote Nears
JOLIET — The Joliet City Council will take a vote at Tuesday night’s meeting on new city manager Beth Beatty’s recommendation that Joliet spend $95,000 to purchase a motorized tram for downtown Joliet.
According to Beatty’s memo to the Council:
The purchase of a motorized tram “would facilitate visitor and citizen movement throughout the downtown area during and after ongoing construction activities. This vehicle will also be utilized during special events such as the IHSA Baseball Tournament, City Historical Tours, etc. This vehicle will also potentially be available for use by entities such as the Joliet Area Historical Museum and Heritage Corridor Destinations.”
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Beatty also went on to explain how a zero-emissions vehicle was selected so that a federal grant opportunity could be utilized as the funding source.
“It is anticipated that the City will be reimbursed for this purchase through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant administered by the Department of Energy,” Beatty advised the Council.
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Leading up to Tuesday’s vote, Beatty explained that several vendors were contacted and provided specifications developed by the City. No vehicles were available for immediate purchase, but three vendors were able to supply a vehicle that could be built to meet specifications or would be available in the future:
Additionally, Beatty noted that the required vehicle upfit and the installation of a charging station will require additional funds.
The proposed budget amendment from Beatty noted that “this expenditure was not in the original 2024 City of Joliet Annual Budget,” therefore, a Budget Amendment Ordinance in the amount of $95,000 is attached for approval. This ordinance transfers capital budget funds from the Downtown Levee Project that will not be expended in 2024, to fund this purchase. These funds will be reimbursed to the Levee Project upon the receipt of grant funds.”
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