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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/11/2001, C7 - DONATION OF A SURPLUS FIRE TRUCK CounciL Mating Dw/42/�/ O/ j ac En ba Repout C1 CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: Robert F. Neumann, Fire Chief SUBJECT: DONATION OF A SURPLUS FIRE TRUCK CAO RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution authorizing the Fire Chief to proceed with the donation of the 1977 Mack Baker Aerialscope Fire Truck to the City of La.Paz, Mexico. DISCUSSION Based on the City of San Luis Obispo's vehicle replacement guidelines, a 1977 Mack Baker Aerialscope fire truck (City ID # 7816) has become a surplus vehicle. This vehicle would normally be scheduled for auction in the near future. Several pieces of equipment and hardware have been removed off of this unit and placed in service on other units. Staff has learned through Amigos/USA that La Paz, Mexico is in need of a ladder truck. Amigos/USA is a non-profit organization (in association with the Rotary Clubs) designed to assist in the relocation of fire equipment which has been removed from service in the United States to needy citizens and fire departments in Mexico. The group is made up of Mexican and U.S. firefighters and was formed after the Mexico City earthquake pointed out the lack of fire equipment in Mexico. The City has successfully participated in this program in the past and gained the respect of many communities both in the United States and Mexico. In fact, staff believes San Luis Obispo's 1956 ladder truck is still in service at Moreila in mainland Mexico. In addition to this unit, a 1977 Van Pelt engine is in service at the airport at San Jose Del Cabo; Mexico and most recently a 1978 Mack Fire Engine was donated to the City of Todos Santos. If approved, staff will work directly with the City of La Paz. City officials from La Paz will meet with San Luis Obispo City Firefighters, who have volunteered their personal time to drive the unit to the border. From the border, the ladder truck will be driven by La Paz firefighters. The vehicle will then be placed into service with La Paz as their only primary response Ladder Truck Company and will have a sign reading "Donated to La Paz by the City of San Luis Obispo." A detailed report on the condition of the vehicle is attached.. In summary, it concludes that in order to return any sort of a value in auction, the City will probably have to spend more money than the vehicle will bring in return. C7-1 CONCURRENCES The Finance Director concurs with the recommendation. The City Attorney concurs with the liability concerns. FISCAL IMPACT Three scenarios are possible: 1. Given the current condition of the vehicle, the City could realistically expect to receive $3,000 to $5,000 in net return if the unit was sold "as is" at an auction. As noted in the mechanic's report, this is not recommended because of the extreme liability concerns associated with selling an aerial apparatus with known and documented, braking, mechanical, and structural defects. 2. The City could repair/refurbish the unit in hope of receiving a better return at auction. Again, as noted in the report, this is not recommended as the costs to recertify the unit to the required specifications could well exceed its value. 3. Donate the unit to La Paz, Mexico. This will require a one-time action by City staff. Other alternatives will require staff time and the City would incur additional administrative costs to scrap the vehicle. Staff recommends the donation. We believe that the good will achieved by the City more than offsets for the loss of revenue. ATTACHMENTS 1) Draft resolution approving ladder truck donation to La Paz, Mexico 2) Mechanic's Report on the vehicle dated October 16, 2001 c7-Z � ATTACHMENT 9 RESOLUTION NO. (2001 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO DECLARING THE 1977 MACK BAKER AERIAL SCOPE AS SURPLUS PROPERTY WHEREAS, the Fire Department's 1977 Mack Fire Truck has become a surplus vehicle and, WHEREAS, staff has learned through Amigos/USA(a non-profit organization) that La Paz, Mexico is in need of a Fire Truck and, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. The City Council hereby declares the 1977 Mack Baker Aerial Scope is surplus property. SECTION 2. The 1977 Mack Baker Aerial Scope will be donated to La Paz,Mexico. On motion of , seconded by And on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES; ABSENT: The foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this day of , 2001. Mayor Allen Settle ATTEST: City Clerk Lee Price APPROVED AS TO FORM: Jlwon#J JoTy 5fensen el-3 -- __ ATTACHMENT 2 MEMORANDUM TO: CHIEF,NEUMANN/STEPHENSON FROM: MECHANIC, DUGGER 450, DATE: 10/16/01 SUBJECT: F-201 AERIAL N. D. T. RESULTS The required annual tests, N. F. P. A. aerial Non-Destructive Test (N.D.T.), on F-201 uncovered several non-conformities. These include: 1. Damaged Platform heat shields. These must be replaced with similar shields or diamond plate. 2. Hydraulic lines, weather checked. All outrigger and jack hydraulic lines must be replaced. 3. Two cracks were found on the platform flooring. These cracks must be re-welded and tested. 4. Three cracks were found on the turntable. These are on the dog-ears of the hoisting cylinders both sides, where they are welded onto the turntable. It was determined that these cracks were formed due to shock loading. These are structural cracks and must be corrected by a certified welder and retested. 5. The extension cylinders have excessive drift. This deficiency may be corrected by a simple adjustment of the holding valve but could be more comprehensive. This could be attributed to leakage of the cylinders themselves. If that is the case, the entire boom assembly and all sections will have to be removed for correction. 6. Waterway leaks were discovered at the main swivel chick-san joint and a lower victraulic coupling. This may or may not be easily correctable and might require replacement of the swivel. 7. The rear tires on the unit, if retained will need to be replaced soon and as 20 ply 1200x20 units are no longer available, the tires and wheels will have to be upgraded to 22in. Estimated repair costs: Cost Fire Dept. Labor Retest $500 8.0 hrs. labor Platform heat shields $500 10.0 hrs. labor Welding/retesting $1,000 8-10 hrs. labor Hose replacement $1,000 40-60 hrs. labor Waterway leaks can range from $10 - $1,000 1.0 hr to 10.0 hrs. Extension cylinder $0 - $20,000 1.0 -hr. to 160.00 hrs. Tire and wheels $2,500 Due to structural defects, the required annual N. F. P. A. 1901 load test could not be conducted. When and if repairs are completed, U/L must re-inspect the defects and load test the unit. This has to be accomplished before a certification can be issued. These defects also, must be corrected and the load test performed with-in 90 days or the entire test will have to be redone. It is my opinion that the unit be discarded at this point in time. This suggestion takes into account age, braking, general condition, parts availability and fire ground reliability. Knowing the extreme liability of selling used aerial devices and due to the branded braking and weight difficulties that this unit has experienced, it is not recommended that the unit be offered for sale in the United States,through any C7 ATTACHMENT 2 means, auction or otherwise. If it must be sold in the United States, the recommended course of action would be to render the motor and aerial device in-operable, scrap the vehicle through a salvage yard and obtain a(salvaged)pink slip. I have been in contact with Fire Trucks Plus (FTP), a purveyor of used fire equipment. This type of company will accept used equipment on a consignment basis. They repair the apparatus then offer the unit for sale, deducting the repairs and their commission from the final sale. In the case of aerial devices, the company requires that the unit would be repaired and an NDT performed before it is offered on the market. Mr. Paul Batista, of FTP, and I have discussed the condition of F-201. He has concluded that it would cost$10,000 - $15,000, possibly more, for the required repairs to satisfy the Non-Destructive Test. In that condition the unit may possibly return as much as $20,000 to the City in the final sale. This may net the City approximately $5,000 - $10,000,pre-commissions. Offered on the auction block as is, the unit would bring between $2,500 and$5,000. 1 discussed with Mr. Batista the known and documented overweight and braking problems that exist in this vehicle, as well as its aerial system defects. Mr. Batista confirmed my opinion that in order to relieve the City from future liability,both as an over the road vehicle and as an aerial device, it would be best to either scrap the vehicle or as was suggested previously, donate it to Mexico.