04-25-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council April 25, 2016 Regular Meeting Page 2 Fire Chief Nyle Zikmund provided the Council with an update on the ladder truck noting this item was budgeted for 2017. He described the age of the two aerials the fire department currently had and noted these vehicles have had a long rich history. He explained the aerials are used for all structure fires, mutual aid calls and for crash rescue. He reported the aerials were beyond their life expectancy. He recommended the two aerials be replaced with a single unit. He explained a new aerial took approximately 13 to 15 months to build and would cost approximately $1 million. He explained the new aerial would have a 100-foot ladder and a pump. Fire Chief Zikmund indicated the City of Mounds View would be responsible for 16% of the aerial truck expense, or $160,000. He explained the cities could opt to lease or buy the truck. It was noted these details could be worked about between the cities. He encouraged the Council to keep this expense in mind for the coming years while doing CIP planning. Mayor Flaherty asked if staff supported the proposed financing mechanism. Finance Director Beer did support the financing option and stated the only other option would be to pay the expense out of a fund balance. Mayor Flaherty questioned when the preliminary budget for fire services would be available to the City. Fire Chief Zikmund reported this information would be presented to the City Managers on Wednesday. Council Member Meehlhause inquired how much it would cost to repair Ladder Truck #17 and asked what the resale value would be on this piece of equipment. Fire Chief Zikmund indicated it would cost $35,000 to repair the ladder on Ladder Truck #17. He stated there was not a big used market for aerial trucks. He estimated Truck #12 and Truck #17 were worth $25,000 each, which was their value in scrap metal. Council Member Meehlhause asked what reaction the Fire Department received from Blaine and Spring Lake Park. Fire Chief Zikmund commented both cities listened and had a lot of questions. Finance Director Beer questioned when payments would begin on the new truck. Fire Chief Smith anticipated payments would begin 13 months after the truck was ordered. Council Member Mueller inquired how many years the City hoped to get out of the current aerial trucks. Fire Chief Zikmund stated the average life expectancy for a fire engine was 10 to 15 years. He noted ladder trucks were considered to have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. He believed the life of the ladder trucks was extended due to the work completed by the full time mechanic at the fire department. Mayor Flaherty believed the City had gotten its useful life out of the two aerials and understood it was time to purchase a new ladder truck.