5.7. SR 07-15-2002MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor and City Council
BrucE A. West, Fire Chie~~~/
July 15, 2002
SUBJECT: Request to Donate 1972 Ford PumPer to Maple Hill Township
Item 5 .~.
During the 2001 fiscal year the Elk River Fire Departmem purchased a new pumper to replace
a 1972 Cabover Ford fire truck. Since the replacement of the 1972 Ford, it has been stored in
the water tower on Freeport Street with the anticipation of locating a small town fire
department that could put this used fire truck to good use.
During the week of July 4, my wife and I were on vacation in the Grand Mamis area and I
attended an open house for the Maple ~ Volunteer Fire Department along the Gunflint
Trail. While talking with the Fire Department membership and Fire Chief, I discovered a true
need from a small town fire department for the use of our 1972 Cabover Ford. During a quick
history of the Maple t-rill Volunteer Fire Department, I discovered they have two fire stations;
one along the Gunflint Trail and one north of the City of Grand Marais. Recently, while
assisting the US Forest Service with the 400-acre wild fire near Powers Lake, Maple I-Ml's
1956 Peter Pirsch fire truck finally met its demise. The Maple I-M1 Volunteer Fire Department
has been piecemealing the 1956 fire track for manyyears and it finally met its match. There is
a tremendous need for the Maple I-mil Volunteer Fire Department to pick up a second pumper
for use along the Gunflint Trail for fire protection.
The Maple I-fill Volunteer Fire Department is truly a total volunteer fire organization. Their
budget and funding is very limited; therefore, I am requesting Mayor and Council approval to
donate to the Maple I-Tdl Volunteer Fire Departmem our 1972 Cabover FoM fire pumper.
I have discussed this request with both City Administrator Pat Klaers and Finance Director
Loft Johnson. Finance Director Lori Johnson has researched with the League of Minnesota
Cities (LMQ the legality of the donation of the pumper to Maple t-fill Township. The opinion
from LMC is that it is legal for the Mayor and City Council to vote and approve the donation
of a piece of equipment to a fire department in the state and the equipment must be for public
use.
Upon Mayor and Council approval, the 1972 Cabover Ford will be delivered to the Maple I-fill
Volunteer Fire Department by Firefighter and business owner Phil Collins of Collins Brothers
Towing. Phil is graciously donating his time and vehicle to deliver the fire truck to its
destination.
Action Requested
At this time I am requesting that the Mayor and City Council approve the Fire Department's
request to donate the 1972 Cabover Ford fire pumper to the Maple I-fill Volunteer Fire
Department.
I will be present at the July 15, 2002, City Council meeting to answer any questions you may
have in reference to this issue. If you have any questions prior to Monday's meeting, please
feel free to call me at the Elk River Fire Department at 763-441-4919.