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New motor issue for fire truck settled by city council…sort of |
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
The issue of putting a new motor in the Caledonia Fire Department’s brush-fighting pick-up, and who would be paying for it was partially settled when the Caledonia City Council approved a motion to split the cost with the Rural Fire Association. The issue was discussed during the July 14 city council meeting.
Some history
The original motor in the pick-up overheated and was ruined last summer during the 2007 floods. The local fire department was called out for mutual aid during the flash floods that ravaged much of Southeast Minnesota last August.
A rebuilt motor was installed in the truck by a local mechanic. Shortly there after, a knock in the motor was detected. A representative of the company that supplied the motor suggested the oil and filter be changed, and felt that would remedy the problem. When the oil was changed, metal filings were found in the oil. The knock continued to get louder and the motor blew up in May. The company that supplied the motor indicated they would stand behind the motor, provide another motor, and cover the labor costs to install the second motor.
Not wanting to take the chance with another rebuilt motor, the fire department went out and purchased a new motor and installed it themselves. The bill for the new motor was $2,281. There was no labor charge, since the firemen conducted the changeover work.
When the fire department brought a bill of $2,281 for the new motor to the city council, councilmembers questioned why the fire department didn’t go along with the company and have the second rebuilt motor installed. The council felt a decision of this magnitude should have been brought to the city, and indicated if the company was going to provide a second motor, the fire department should get what they could from the second rebuilt motor and pay for the difference out of their own budget.
In the meantime, members of the Rural Fire Association were apprised of the situation, and at a recent meeting agreed to pay for half of the cost of the new motor installed in the truck and encouraged the city to follow suit.
Insurance or FEMA?
The city turned a claim into FEMA, since the motor was damaged during a flood-related call. FEMA advised the city to place a claim with its insurance carrier first. If the insurance carrier would not cover the claim, FEMA would review the situation, and possibly pay for the costs of the first motor with labor, which was $3,421.96.
According to City Administrative Coordinator Mike Gerady, the claim has been filed with FEMA, and he feels there is a good chance it will be covered by the federal government, “but there’s no guarantee,” he added.
In store credit
Instead of taking the second rebuilt motor and trying to sell it, the fire department was offered a $1,300 in-store credit from the parts store that handled the motor. Fire Chief Chuck Gavin told the council the fire department could use a portion of the in-store credit to purchase a new air compressor that is used to keep the air brake systems in the fire trucks pumped up when they are parked in the fire barn. Without an air compressor, it takes several minutes to build up enough pressure to drive the trucks. And in an emergency situation, every second counts.
The current air compressor is old, has started to freeze up, and kicked out the circuit breakers recently.
“We could have a very bad situation if we had a fire call and couldn’t get the trucks moving right away because the old air compressor failed,” Gavin noted.
The council approved using a portion of the in-store credit to purchase a new air compressor.
In other council action:
Asst. Emergency Director
The council named Fire Chief Chuck Gavin as the city’s assistant emergency management director. During the June 23 council meeting the council named Mayor Mike Morey as the emergency management director. Gavin indicated he wished to help serve in this capacity, and the council agreed, naming him the assistant.
New firemen
The council approved the additions of Wally McComber and Dylan Becker to the fire department. The two new recruits brings the number of members of the local fire fighting squad up to 32. The numbers were depleted somewhat this year when Kory Becker, Mark Betz, and Terry Ranzenberger all retired.
New pump for lift station
The council accepted the low bid submitted by Braun Pump and Controls for $23,997 to replace a new pump at the lift station near the industrial park on Bissen Street. Waste Water Supervisor Tony Klug explained the current pump is 33 years old and failing. The life expectancy of a pump is usually around 20 years, according to Klug.
Zoning amendments approved
The council approved two amendments to the zoning ordinances.
The first spells out where manufactured homes can be located that do not include a basement or cement slab.
The change reads: “A permanent foundation means a basement wall or concrete slab, except in a manufactured home park where piers or other satisfactory supports may serve as a manufactured home foundation with the intent of using skirting material to enclose the gap from the bottom of the structure to the ground.”
The other change had to do with fees and permits. The change reads: “Fees for various permits and services in conjunction with zoning shall be established by the city council and changed from time to time. These fees may be due before permits are issued or services are rendered. Fees shall be collectible by an means allowed by law.”
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