City Council approves purchase of new ambulance

The Clear Lake City Council has approved the purchase of a new ambulance for the city’s fire department.  The new unit, which will cost the City $204,867, will replace a 2002 unit purchased used from the City of Garner in 2009.  CLFD Chief Doug Meyers told the Council that unit has been out of commission for 48 weeks due to the lack of available parts needed for repairs.

City Administrator Scott Flory noted the City had anticipated the need for the new ambulance and has been budgeting funds for the purchase.  No money will need to be borrowed for the new F550 4x4 ambulance.

The CLFD solicited proposals for the new vehicle and received two bids.  Meyers recommended the City purchase the F550, as opposed to a F450, due to the slightly heavier rear axel, making it more durable and offering better turning.

The price difference between the F450 and F550 is approximately $1,200, according to Meyers.

The Iowa-based company Lifeline will supply the vehicle within six to eight months.

In response to a series of questions from Council members about the purchase, Meyers said 15 to 18 years of service life are anticipated out of the new ambulance.  The department averages 10,000 to 12,000 miles per year on each ambulance in its fleet.  The fleet also includes a 2014 F450 and 2013 F450.

Councilman Mike Callahan expressed his concern that the department may be looking at replacing all three ambulances at about the same time in the distant future.

Meyers noted the future of health care services is constantly changing.

“Right now, with the information we have, I think we are on the right course for the foreseeable future,” said Chief Meyers.

Councilman Bennett Smith added that he appreciates that the City plans ahead to purchase quality equipment and noted he

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favors purchasing quality goods, which he says tend to be cheaper in the long run.

The council unanimously approved the purchase of the F550 from Lifeline.

Other business

In other business at the regular Council meeting Aug. 6, the Council unanimously approved the second and third reading of an ordinance designating a 2018 S. 15th Street Urban Revitalization Area.   First and second readings for rezoning for the area from Public to Medium-Density Multi-Family Residential, as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission, was also approved.

The City also approved its contract and bonds with Yohn Construction for work on the 12th Avenue South Water Main Improvement Project.  The $178,844 project will begin in mid-August and be complete by mid-November.

Despite only having one bidder with a cost 13 percent above the engineer’s estimate for work, the City Council approved a bid from Heartland Asphalt, of Mason City, for its North 3rd Street and 1st Avenue North Improvement Project.  The project is one of the major capital improvement projects the City budgeted for in fiscal year 2019.  It includes mixing and resurfacing the existing pavement with an asphalt overlay; extension of the City’s storm sewer on 1st Avenue North, between North Shore drive and North 3rd Street, then south to the east-west alley on North 3rd Street, including six new storm sewer intakes and sub-drains, water main replacement, and replacing  existing brick paver sidewalk with the new style of brick pavers used recently on Main Avenue.

The only bid for the work came from Heartland Asphalt in the amount t of $392,205.  The City budgeted $370,000 for the project and the engineer’s estimate was $345,000.

Chase Holien, from WHKS, said the timing of the project may have contributed to the single bid for the work, as well as the higher cost.  Due to its location, the project was scheduled to occur after Sept. 3.  Holien also speculated that most contractors already had their schedules filled for the season and the project was relatively small in scale.

Councilmembers opted to go with the higher bid, rather than face a time crunch to re-bid and the likelihood that no additional contractors would be seeking the work.

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