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September 30: The MAC agreed to recommend the purchase of a new pumper unit if funds <br />were available. <br />October 1: The Council agreed to the insulation and heating of the cold storage <br />building for housing snow plows on a short term basis, on the <br />recommendation of the MAC. <br />October 15: The Council agreed to the fire department preparing specifications and bids <br />for a new fire truck based on the September 30 MAC recommendation. The <br />Council was also made aware of the possible availability of a demo unit at <br />approximately $50,000 savings over the cost of a new unit. <br />Though not recorded in the minutes, it is my recollection that the Fire <br />Chief was instructed to check on the specification, price and availability <br />of this demo unit, with a view to its purchase following a favorable report. <br />November/ December: No MAC meetings were held. <br />January 21: The Council instructed the City Administrator to prepare a Request for <br />Proposal for a new fire truck, in the knowledge that the demo truck had <br />been lost to the City of Lindstrom which had been able to respond more <br />quickly to the opportunity. <br />February 7: The Council approved the purchase of a Maintenance trailer based on the <br />recommendation of the MAC. <br />In reviewing the record, I feel that Dick Johnson's criticism that the Council does not follow <br />MAC recommendations is not substantiated. On the other hand I admit that I pushed hard to <br />get the MAC to quickly assess the specifications for a new fire truck when I realized that they <br />had not done so. I was concerned that we would again lose an opportunity through inertia. That <br />could be construed as ignoring MAC recommendations. The MAC Chair admitted that there was <br />probably insufficient expertise on the MAC to properly specify a new fire truck and that they <br />would go along with the Fire Department's review. <br />I don't appreciate that my attempt to get things moving is now viewed as a wish to bypass the <br />MAC. Far from it - where they have the expertise their help is really welcome. Equally, as a <br />Council we should be establishing time lines for completion of procurement studies so that we do <br />not stumble at the starting gate, and lose out to another more nimble City. I make no apology for <br />acting quickly - we now have the opportunity to buy a two month old demonstration model for <br />approximately $204,000 with a November delivery. <br />'L� <br />o un <br />Mayor, City of Lake Elmo <br />