City of Marion purchases new pumper fire truck
Westar rep explains recent outages
Staff reporter
Three companies presented bids to the City of Marion for a new fire truck.
Marion City Commission accepted a bid Monday from Hays Fire Equipment for a 2006 pumper truck and equipment for a total of $167,380.
The pumper bid was $99,973, and a chassis bid from Williams Service of Florence was $57,945. An equipment bid for the vehicle was $9,462.
Other bids were $178,034 from Weis Fire & Equipment for a 2006 pumper truck and equipment, and $159,524 from Pierce Manufacturing for a 2004 demonstrator pumper truck and equipment.
The commission determined they were not interested in the demonstrator because of its unknown history.
Delivery is anticipated within six to nine months.
The commission also approved a lease purchase agreement with Marion National Bank at 4.1 percent interest for the fire truck and equipment.
Funds are available in the city's equipment reserve fund to purchase the vehicle outright but David Mayfield, city administrator, previously had expressed a concern of depleting the fund.
The city solicited bids for interest rates from the three local banks. Pilsen State Bank also requested the opportunity to bid.
Interest rates from the other banks were Tampa State Bank and Pilsen State Bank at 4.25 percent, and Central National Bank at 4.98 percent.
A lease document will be presented at the next commission meeting.
In other business:
— Susan Pollman, wholesale manager for Westar Energy, apologized to the city for the recent electrical problems.
Pollman said on July 22, there was a failure of voltage regulator equipment at a local substation. A temporary substation was installed by Westar Energy. A temporary mobile substation was hooked up July 29, and on Aug. 9 repairs, maintenance, and testing was completed with power connected to a permanent substation.
Some equipment remains at the site, said Pollman, to be used for a faster connection to a mobile substation if problems should occur in the future.
Mayfield asked Pollman if Westar Energy had a claims department local customers could call. Information will be given to Mayfield and presented at the next commission meeting.
Mayfield also asked Pollman if Westar Electric was going to significantly increase the city's transmission fees. Pollman said Westar Energy has filed for an increase to offset $120 million of upgrades.
She also said when a coal-fired electrical plant is built and begins operation, cities will have the opportunity to lock-in to a 30-year contract.
— Alana Taylor of Marion told the commission that two fruit trees were removed without her knowledge by the city due to street improvements.
Mayfield said the city had removed one tree that was located in the city's easement. Taylor said she was disappointed that the city did not contact her and give her options to remove the tree herself to be replanted or used for firewood.
City utilities superintendent Harvey Sanders said he should have contacted her and apologized. When confronted about the second tree being removed, Sanders said the city did not remove it. Mayfield said he had walked the property and only found the area where a tree had been removed in the easement.
Taylor said the first tree, not in the city's easement, was removed in April, and the second tree in the easement was recently removed.
Mayor Martin Tice asked Taylor why she didn't contact the city in April. Taylor responded when the second tree was removed without her knowledge, she wanted to address the issue.
Tice asked Taylor what she was wanting for compensation. Taylor responded she would like the city to donate $200 to either the Marion Ministerial Alliance or Marion City Library.
Mayfield was instructed to inspect the property again with Taylor.
— A budget hearing was held prior to the regular commission meeting. During the regular meeting, the proposed 2006 budget was approved as published.
— Marion resident Jim Davis asked the commission when the 12.5 electrical line upgrade would be completed on the south hill.
Mayfield responded there were four blocks yet to be completed and the city planned to complete the project within the next year.
— The commission approved the July billing tie-out, July investment and collateral report, and financial statement.
— Warrants for $132,650 were approved.
— Mayfield reported there have been four resumes received for the economic development position — - one from a city resident, and three from outside the city.
A work session and public comment meeting will be Sept. 6, following the regular meeting.
— Tice announced a request for Sunday beer sales had been made. Information will be presented at the Aug. 29 meeting.
The next commission meeting will be at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
