1999-04-05 Special Meeting
WOMENS BAY SERVICE AREA BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING
APRIL 5,1999
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7: 10 PM on AprilS. 1999 at the Womens Bay Firehall.
ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Tom Trosvig David Conrad
Ed Gondek Bob Tarrant
Tom Schwantes Mike Wilcheck
Absent:
Linda Estes
Comprising a quorum of the Board.
Guests
Dale Rice, Charles Madsen
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Special Meeting Agenda was to discuss a fire apparatus device.
CITIZENS COMMENTS
There were no citizen comments.
SPECIAL MEETING
The floor was turned over to Bob Tarrant to explain the proposed vehicle to those present. Tarrant
researched and found a six- wheel drive fire truck manufactured in the late 1970's by Foremost Industries
Inc. of Alberta. Canada. The Marauder CFR (crash/fire/rescue) truck had been owned by the State of
Alaska and was sold at auction several years ago. The truck is currently in Bettles. Alaska. Tarrant stated
that this was a good vehicle for off road capabilities and it could be operated with one or two people. The
vehicle has less than 500 operating hours and that the current owner would sell this truck for $90.000.
Tarrant added that all of the service records were available. This vehicle was used on the North Slope until
its retirement by the State. He added that perhaps if this vehicle were purchased it could be rented with a
crew to the launch facility to help pay for the cost. Tarrant stated that this vehicle could be purchased and
driven to Anchorage for any needed work or to Valdez transported by ferry.
The floor was opened to discussion and questions.
Rice stated that he had contacted the Troopers. If the vehicle were less than ten feet wide. it would require a
special permit to operate on the roads. This permit would cost approximately $430 per year. If the vehicle
were over ten feet wide the fees would be higher and would require a pilot car.
Madsen stated that he had to question the cost of maintenance and the possible upgrade costs to meet
today's standards.
Gondek stated that he was concerned with the repair costs and finding someone locally to repair the
vehicle. He asked if the Fire District needed the capabilities this truck was designed for.
Schwantes staled that he was concerned with where the vehicle could be stored and the maintenance of the
vehicle.
Trosvig asked what condition the current vehicles were in.
Conrad stated that the existing vehicles were twelve or thirteen years old. The bodies and chassis of the
trucks were still good but the pumps required work. He added that the trucks rely on drafting from natural
water sources which causes more wear than if a hydrant system was utilized
Wilcheck stated that he did not have enough information to make a decision on this proposed vehicle. He
added that this was probably more vehicle that the area needed.
Conrad stated that the Borough purchasing rules would require bids for this type of purchase. A Request
for Proposal would have to be prepared and the advertising requirement met and then the whole package
would have to be presented to the Assembly.
General discussion continued regarding the trucks capabilities and the Service Areas requirements.
The general consensus of the members present was not to pursue the purchase of the vehicle.
Conrad stated that perhaps a list of requirements for preliminary pricing should be compiled with the
people present. The list was compiled as follows:
Detroit / Cummins 60 Series Diesel Engine. Four - wheel drive or all wheel drive, 100gpm / 1500gpm
capability, four person cab with seats built for air packs. minimum 1000 gallon water tank.. deck gun. pump
and roll capability, extra air bottle storage, 24 ft. / attic and roof ladders. built-in generators and lighting
system. fast attack hose lays. large diameter hose bed capability, five inch intake / discharge ports, on-
board foam capability, full intake / discharge gauging at pump panel, full warning package, radios,
automatic tire chains.
Conrad stated that he would measure the door width and bay depth to include with the listing. He stated
that he would compile the list and research manufacturers for contact to determine if packages similar to
the developed list were available.
Gondek stated that perhaps a lease purchase agreement with a manufacturer or dealer would be possible.
Schwantes stated that Tarrant should be reimbursed for his phone calls.
Motion:
Schwantes moved to reimburse Tarrant for the calls made during his
investigation of the vehicle.
Gondek seconded.
Vote:
Voice vote. unanimous approvaL
Conrad asked Tarrant to provide him copies of the phone bills and he would see that they were paid.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion: Schwantes moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
Gondek seconded.
Vote: Voice vote, unanimous approval.
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