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Fire truck cost raises city council concerns
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Officials mull ban on commercial burning
Brookings Fire Chief Bill Sharp was in the hot seat at Monday’s city council meeting during a discussion of purchasing a new fire tender and an existing ban on commercial burning. The council grilled Sharp over a $10,889 under-estimate of the cost of the fire department’s new pumper-tender, which was approved in January. The difference in price, Sharp explained, was the result of technical plumbing issues with which he was not familiar. Some of the features Sharp asked for were not compatible with other features, he said, such as a water cannon that, without a riser, would spray into the fire truck’s cabin. KME Fire Apparatus engineers worked with Sharp to make sure he understood the features of the equipment ordered, to assist in making sure the Brookings Fire Department’s new truck was what the city expects. Many of the changes made were less expensive than Sharp’s original specifications, while others added to the cost. Some of the issues were a matter of interpretation, Sharp said. On the order form Sharp chose tires listed as “mud tires.” However, once Sharp was able to see the tires he determined that they were designed for city use and not appropriate for use in the greater Brookings area. Sharp upgraded to tires with an aggressive tread that would allow the tender to traverse the many rural dirt roads and rough and muddy driveways in Brookings. City Manager Gary Milliman said that such changes are “normal” for the purchase of custom fire equipment. “It’s a function of building a piece of apparatus from scratch,” said Milliman. However, the process concerned members of the council. “I’m disappointed in the process,” Counselor Dave Gordon said. “I feel like we bought the car, and when we go to pick it up they charge extra for the brakes and tires.” “Sorry you’re in the hot seat, Bill,” Mayor Larry Anderson told the fire chief. However, Anderson had his own concerns, namely $46,000 budgeted for fire equipment. Sharp and Milliman planned $40,000 for equipment and $6,000 just in case the tender cost more than expected, said Sharp. Councilman Jake Pieper asked Milliman what the typical margin of error is for city projects. “About 20 percent is typical, but ideally we try to stay within 10 percent,” Milliman said. A change of $10,889 represents 2.45 percent of the cost of the $443,667 tender. Anderson directed Sharp to use the $6,000 in the equipment budget for equipment and the council approved the additional $10,899 by a vote of 4-1. Counselor Dave Kitchen voted against the additional funding. A representative from KME attended the meeting to answer questions, but was not asked to speak. ~~~ In other business, Sharp discussed the issue of burning of commercial construction waste. The city banned commercial burning of all kinds in 2005, after complaints were received regarding a commercial burn, Anderson said. Councilor Kitchen asked the council to reconsider the ban. A proposed change would allow Sharp to use his professional judgement regarding burns, within state and federal guidelines. No decision was made at Monday’s meeting. Instead, Anderson suggested a public comment period be established before any changes are made to the city’s burn policy. Illegal burns have been an issue for some time. “The problem is that the cost of the ticket was less than the cost to have CTR remove it,” Sharp said. Current city ordinances allow residents to burn cuttings and other yard waste. Permits are required for all burns. The ban on burn barrels will continue. |
