City hears about chances to save

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Fort Scott City Commission learned of some money-saving opportunities during their meeting Tuesday evening at City Hall.

Commissioners approved authorization to apply for a grant through the AFG Grant system for $357,000 for a Level I refurbishing of an existing Fort Scott Fire Department ladder truck. During remarks to the commission, Fire Chief Paul Ballou said the current truck, purchased in 1993, has had some problems that personnel have been addressing but repair costs are becoming expensive.

At 20 years of age, all manufacturer warranties on workmanship will come to an end. By refurbishing the existing ladder truck, the department can extend the manufacturer warranties another 10 to 15 years.

"I could see it extending the life another 20 years," Ballou said.

Ballou said the cost to refurbish the existing truck will be half the cost of purchasing a new truck. The cost of a new truck redesigned to meet the department's needs would easily be $600,000, he said. The city's portion of the 95-5 matching grant would be $17,850.

Ballou said the department would receive a loaner ladder truck to use while the refurbishing project takes place.

"That's another good money saver," Fort Scott Mayor Jim Adams said of the plan.

During the meeting, commissioners also heard from Water Distribution Supervisor Ron McGehee about a new piece of equipment the department recently began using that is saving money, cutting down on the number of staff needed to complete a job, and providing other benefits.

McGehee said the piece of equipment, called a horizontal boring machine, cost $4,300 with all of the attachments but "has already paid for itself" and is saving thousands of dollars. The machine allows workers to bore a clean hole underground to work without damaging city streets or closing off streets, he said.

In other business, the commission:

* Recognized several city employees for their years of service. Those recognized for five years of service included Eric Atwood, Street Department, Water Utility Clerk Karla Cox, Fort Scott Police Department Sgt. Timothy Harper, FSPD Dispatcher Patty Hutchison, FSPD Sgt. Corey Richmeier, FSFD firefighter Zachary Russell, and Tarrell Vann, Maintenance II, Water Distribution Department.

Fort Scott Airport Manager Kenny Howard was recognized for 10 years of service, while FSPD Lt. Travis Shelton was honored for 15 years of service, FSFD Lt. Eric Shoemaker for 20 years of service, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor Jim Cox for 25 years of service, and Public Utilities Director Richard Cook for 30 years of service. Certificates and gifts were presented to the employees.

* Approved a bid of $19,550 from Marbery Concrete for construction of cast in place concrete structure and installation of a prefabricated metal flume at Rock Creek Lake.

* Approved a request from Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin to allow him to work with Hammond on a request for the city of Fort Scott to donate the fence surrounding the old city pool to the Hammond Community Center and Ball Park.

Martin also updated the commission on the recent sale of surplus equipment through Purple Wave Auction Inc., of Manhattan. The city made $26,900 through the sale of various trucks and equipment.

Martin also discussed the first reading of an ordinance providing for the salaries of the appointive officers and employees of the city.

* Approved a bid from PROSEAL in the amount of $24,874 for the application of Reclamite Rejuvenator on streets that were asphalted in 2010. Public Works Director Eric Bailey said last year was the first year the city used Reclamite, which extends the life of asphalt by several years. Money was budgeted for the sealing of streets as a 2011 Capital Improvement Project.

* Selected voting and alternate delegates for the League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Meeting Oct. 8-10 in Wichita.

* Approved Lochner BWR as the engineering consultant for the next five-year Airport Improvement Plan.

* Adams read a proclamation declaring Saturday, Sept. 24 as Mercy Day in Fort Scott.