City purchases new ambulance, approves radio system upgrade bid

The City of Clear Lake is continuing to upgrade its emergency vehicle fleet and radio system.  

The City Council gave its approval for replacement of a 2006 Ford E­450 Ambulance at its last regular meeting. City Administrator Scott Flory told the Council that over the last several months the ambulance has experienced significant engine and other mechanical problems that make it unfit for use by the department.

 Approximately $8,000 had been spent in the last two months to keep the 2006 Ford E-450 ambulance running.

Fire Chief Doug Meyers and his department recommended a chasis be purchased locally from Pritchard’s Ford of Clear Lake and have Emergency Vehicle Sales & Service mount a 2013 Life Line Type 1 modular ambulance body on the chasis. He noted that Emergency Vehicle Services will provide a loaner vehicle at no cost to the City for use by the department until the vehicle is complete and ready for service.  Delivery time for the new ambulance is about four months, according to Chief Meyers.

Flory noted the total purchase price is approximately $150,357 and that the City currently has an accumulated balance of $100,000 in an ambulance replacement reserve fund.

Flory also reviewed the proposed Public Safety Radio Communications System Upgrade and stated that a bid opening was held on Sept. 28 with two bids being received. The low bidder for the system was Electronic Engineering of Mason City in the amount of $182,257.25 (materials only). 

In other business, the council approved renewal of the city’s agreement with Cerro Gordo County concerning ambulance service coverage.  Flory  noted that agreement  reached with the county in July 2007 expired on July 31, 2012.  However, the entities have continued to operate on a status quo basis since that time.

Tom Drzycimski, from Cerro Gordo County, reviewed the proposed agreement and noted that it remains mostly unchanged, with the exception of - Read More Via e-Edition