City commission approves purchase of fire truck

Approving the purchase of a new engine truck for the fire department, and a change order for the demolition of a structure at 720 State Street was part of the agenda at the regular meeting of the city commission on Wednesday, April 3.
Mayor Chuck Lambertz signed a proclamation that names April 2024 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in Concordia.
Sexual violence is any sexual act that is perpetrated against someone’s will, which includes sexual assault, rape, unwanted touching, threatened sexual violence, verbal sexual harassment; and all types of sexual violence involving victims who do not consent, or who are unable to consent, or who refuse to allow the act.
One in two women and nearly one in three men experience some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetimes.
In 2023, one incident of rape was reported to Kansas law enforcement every eight hours, but those statistics do not represent the true prevalence of sexual violence due to under,reporting. Sex offenders often target people they perceive as vulnerable, less powerful, or less credible.
In Kansas, 78.5% of victims know the offender.
The effects of sexual violence may be felt directly after or for many months or years later. Confusion, anger, sadness, shame, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, and self-blame are all common reactions to sexual violence.
The Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas (DVACK) provides 24/7/365 free and confidential services to victims of sexual violence in Concordia. DVACK advocates are available 24/7 at (785)827-5862 or toll-free at 1-800-874-1499.
Mayor Lambertz also signed a proclamation naming April 2024 as Donate Life Month in Concordia, to honor all those who have decided to donate life, to focus attention on the critical need for donation, and to encourage all Kansas residents to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors.
Organ donation is a selfless gift that saved 42,890 lives across our country in 2023. The Midwest Transplant Network, the local organ procurement organization, serves all of Kansas and the western two-thirds of Missouri, where more than 2,400 people await lifesaving transplants. The number of people on the organ transplant waiting list continues to far exceed the number of registered donors. Ninety-five percent of America’s population supports organ donation, but only sixty percent are registered as donors.
The North Central Kansas Medical Center encourages individuals to become aware of the need for organ donation and to register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor.
Police Chief Brent Gering reported to commissioners that his department will apply for grant funding from the Department of Justice Community Orientated Policing Program (COPS) to reestablish a School Resource Officer (SRO) in the school system.
With growing concerns about the safety and security within the local schools, and in an effort to advance community-orientated policing, there has been discussion about reintroducing the SRO position to the police department.
The police department has successfully applied for and received grant funding for an SRO position in the past. A meeting with the school board has been scheduled for April 8. The discussions are just preliminary, but they will set the basis for the framework needed for the project should grant funding be secured.
The addition of an SRO to Concordia Police Department represents a proactive step towards enhancing the safety and well-being of youth and educational staff.
Gering stated that he looks forward to constructive discussion with both the city commission and the school board and hopes to build a strong partnership that will lead to common goals.
During the action item portion of the meeting, commissioners approved the purchase of a new engine truck for the Concordia Fire Department from Rosenbauer America at a cost of $429,094 - with an addendum for late delivery - to be paid from the city equipment reserve fund.
The new truck will replace Engine 2, a 2000 E-one, currently in the fleet. The 2000 vehicle will become a rescue truck and a backup ENG. Once this is done, the current rescue vehicle will become a grass rig that would help ensure protection in the rural area and allow more ease in going to mutual aid calls.
Once the new rescue vehicle is in service, the department will be able to carry all the high-angle and grain rescue equipment on the truck.
Bids/quotes/proposals were solicited on January 31, 2024, and sent to dealers as well as advertised in The Blade-Empire and posted on the city’s website.
Sealed bids were opened on March 11, 2024, at 2 p.m. Bid results were: Rosenbauer America - $429,094, with a delivery date of 270 days; Weis Fire - $411,100, with a delivery date of 725 days; and E-One - $519,466.
Fire Chief Voss reported to commissioners that all of the companies met the requirements and have been great companies to work with in the past. The difference between the low bidder (Weis) and the second low bidder (Rosenbauer) was $19,994, but Rosenbauer could deliver the truck 455 days sooner.
Commissioners added an addendum to the contract that there would be a $100 per day penalty if the new vehicle from Rosenbauer was not delivered within 300 days.
In other action, commissioners approved Change Order #1 to Dalton Dirt Works for the demolition of a structure at 720 State Street, in the amount of $2,220, to be paid by the demo program and then billed to the property owner for reimbursement, with the original base bid amount of $13,000.
At the commission meeting on September 6, 2023, the structure at 720 State Street was condemned by Resolution No. 2023-2162, and adequate restoration measures were not taken by the owner prior to the established deadline.
The demolition work was completed the week of March 25, 2024. However, during demolition, a small cistern in the basement and a hand-dug well in the yard were discovered. City staff authorized Dalton Dirt Works to proceed with this removal, recognizing that the work must be done to be in compliance with the demolition permit regulations.
Dalton Dirt Works requested an additional $2,220 for this unforeseen work related to the demolition.
When property is condemned and subsequently demolished by the city, the demolition cost is paid by the city. The city then bills the property owner for 100% of the cost incurred. Therefore, the base bid of $13,000 plus the $2,220 for Change Order #1 will be billed to the property owner for reimbursement to the city.
The meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.