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Lake Bluff board approves up to $85,000 for repair of 2006 fire engine pump
Summary
The Village Board approved a resolution waiving competitive bidding and authorizing up to $85,000 to have Pierce Manufacturing repair the pump on Engine 4520, a 2006 Pierce Sabre rear-mount pumper, after local shops were unable to complete the work.
The Village of Lake Bluff Board of Trustees on Sept. 8 approved a resolution waiving competitive bidding and authorizing the village to spend up to $85,000 to repair the pump on Engine 4520, a 2006 Pierce Sabre rear-mount pumper, the village president said.
Village staff described Engine 4520 as a front-line rescue engine with a 6,500-gallon-per-minute-rated apparatus configuration and equipment for auto extrication and other technical rescues. The engine was taken out of service after a damaged pump; two local repair businesses either ceased operations or declined to complete the repair, staff said. The fire chief recommended having the manufacturer, Pierce Manufacturing Inc., perform the repair at its Midwest Regional Service Center in Weyauwega, Wisconsin.
The manufacturer—s proposal to the village totaled $70,600 for the repair with a 20% contingency of $14,120, for a not-to-exceed amount of $84,720. Village staff said funding is available in the equipment replacement fund and recommended board approval.
"We tried two other shops and exhausted all of our options," the village—s presentation said. Chief Marsh told the board that the pump housing is damaged and that the repair requires specialized knowledge and certifications that not all shops maintain. He said the village had effectively "wasted probably 4 weeks" attempting local repairs before turning to the manufacturer.
Trustees indicated support for preserving aging apparatus to extend service life. "We keep these engines in tip-top shape," a trustee said during the discussion; staff added that major apparatus are often maintained for 20 to 30 years in smaller departments and that vehicle replacement costs for modern equipment exceed $2 million and require long lead times.
The board approved the resolution by roll call. The clerk recorded aye votes from Trustee Freid, Trustee Hecht (recorded as "Etch" in the roll call), Trustee Reiter, Trustee El Shumaz and President Regis Charlot; the motion carried.
