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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> January 9,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Benson asked if this has been in the works for a while,regardless of the negotiation we have with Long <br /> Lake. <br /> Edwards said the idea of having a ladder truck to serve our area as part of the Long Lake Fire Department <br /> has been on the capital improvement plan for a number of years. It's moved around on the timeline of that <br /> capital improvement plan moving forward in recent years. The other factor us the existing engines are <br /> nearing their end of life and so are on the replacement schedule. This vehicle could become one of those <br /> engines to replace the ones that are aging out. <br /> Benson asked if this ladder truck issue is part of the negotiations with Long Lake or if it is something we <br /> have been working on as partners or as customers for some time. <br /> Van Eyll said when he was chief of Long Lake Fire Department,they had a ladder truck on the capital <br /> improvements plan but it was moved around from time to time to be able to satisfy the limited capital <br /> funding. In the Future Fire Service meetings,they found out both Wayzata and Maple Plain fire <br /> departments were talking about possible replacement of their apparatus and how much they were thinking <br /> about charging other surrounding cities to share this equipment. That led to a discussion of is there a way <br /> to better utilize those funds and actually own this equipment.Long Lake's two engines are running at <br /> about 20 years.A typical engine you want to keep it about 20 years. The last one we bought in 2017 was <br /> $475,000 and now they are close to$1 million apiece. <br /> Benson said she doesn't argue at all that it makes perfect sense to look at rehabbing something instead of <br /> purchasing something new. She asked to be reminded when this truck was purchased. <br /> Edwards said in November or December. <br /> Benson asked if the expense for the truck was budgeted in 2022. <br /> Edwards said no,the truck was in the capital improvements plan and the opportunity to purchase <br /> presented itself and so the direction was to purchase it. <br /> Benson asked if the improvements were budgeted for this year. <br /> Edwards said the costs were added to the 2023 Fire CIP once the city knew it had the truck. <br /> Dave Pierson, Webber Hills Road said he doesn't question the value of the truck but does question the <br /> process. He said residents just found out at this meeting what it will cost to refurbish the ladder truck-- <br /> almost$200,000 on the refurbishing and about$347,000 on the truck itself. To spend$500,000 on this <br /> even though it is a good deal,he said,the process seems odd because no one in the community knows <br /> what is going on.You've decided to buy this truck, for$500,000,right or wrong.But we as a community <br /> have no idea as to why it has to be done,what you just answered somewhat,and then what the cost is <br /> going to be and what the alternatives are.He added that it seems to him there ought to be a way to include <br /> us [the voters] in what the council is doing. He asked if this was allowed in the contract with Long Lake <br /> and it the engine can go into the fire station. He added that Orono has indicated it wants to get out of the <br /> deal with Long Lake by 2025 and asked if it is possible the city won't be able to use the new ladder truck <br /> until 2025. <br /> Page 5 of 12 <br />