Brookings council authorizes fire pickup, wastewater contract amendment and used greens mower; defers engine refurbishment

Brookings City Council on June 23 authorized three purchases and a contract amendment and deferred a separate engine-refurbishment item to a future meeting.

The council voted to approve the purchase of a Dodge pickup to replace the fire department's current command vehicle, authorized an amendment to the city's operations contract with Jacobs CH2M Hill for the wastewater and water treatment plants for the 2025'26 fiscal year, and approved purchase of a used greens mower for Salmon Run golf course. Council also moved the agenda item on a 2002 E1 engine refurbishment to a later meeting.

Why it matters: the purchases and the contract amendment affect frontline emergency response, utility operations and parks maintenance. The pickup and mower replace aging equipment; the Jacobs amendment continues outsourced operation of the wastewater and water plants, which city speakers said reduces staffing and regulatory risk.

Fire pickup: Chief McCray and Captain Watson asked the council to authorize purchase of a Dodge pickup from Roberson Motors for $43,126.50 and outfitting by Cascade Fire and Equipment for $20,803.54, with the finance director authorized to enter a financing agreement. Captain Watson said the new pickup "would replace the current command vehicle, the Durango," which he described as high-mileage and unable to carry needed equipment and personnel. Watson said the new vehicle would carry more rescue and medical equipment and accommodate more responders, and have higher clearance for remote access. On timing, Watson said the vehicle and outfitting were expected to take "approximately 90 to 120 days," with a potential additional 30 days if the ordered paint ("fire red") is delayed.

Jacobs CH2M Hill contract amendment: Council authorized Amendment No. 2 to the contract with Jacobs CH2M Hill (sometimes referred to in staff materials as CH2M or Jacobs) to run July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. City staff said the amendment reflects operating-cost increases and a CPI adjustment. Dustin Nelson, the plant operator, attended to answer technical questions. Councilors noted that contracting with Jacobs helps address local shortages of certified wastewater and water operators and can reduce the city's liability and exposure to regulatory fines under state environmental regulations.

Greens mower: Parks staff requested authorization to buy a used Toro greens mower from Turf Star Western for $32,000 after the existing mower reached more than 18,000 hours and became difficult to keep running. Staff said the used machine matches the specifications required for Salmon Run's greens and is available immediately; a new unit of the same type was estimated by staff at $70,000'$85,000.

Deferred engine refurbishment: The agenda item about refurbishment of a 2002 E1 engine was pulled from the agenda at council request and scheduled for a future meeting.

Votes and motions at a glance: - Consent calendar (minutes and May 2025 financial report): motion to approve carried; voting names recorded during the roll call included Councilor Fulton, Councilor Pereira, Councilor Vollmer and Councilor Martin. The clerk announced the motion carried. - Removal of G-1 (2002 E1 engine refurbishment) to a future meeting: motion carried with the clerk noting "we have 5, motion carries." Councilors on the recorded roll call included Fulton, Carricka, Malmore and Martin. - Fire pickup purchase (Roberson Motors $43,126.50; Cascade outfitting $20,803.54; finance director authorized to enter financing agreement): motion carried. Recorded affirmative votes included Councilor Crater, Councilor Mulgher, Councilor Fulton and Councilor Martin. - Jacobs CH2M Hill Amendment No. 2 (07/01/2025'06/30/2026): motion to authorize the city manager to sign the amendment carried. Recorded affirmative votes included Councilor Malvern, Councilor Fulch, Councilor Faria and Councilor Barnes. - Greens mower purchase (Turf Star Western, $32,000): motion carried. Recorded affirmative votes included Councilor Fulton, Councilor Freitas, Councilor Palmer and Councilor Martin.

What council said: councilors who spoke in favor cited equipment age, immediate availability of the mower, and cost comparisons for the truck where staff said the Dodge price was several thousand dollars below comparable Ford and Chevrolet state-bid quotes. Councilors also noted savings and reduced liability from contracting operations at the wastewater/water plants and acknowledged statewide challenges in hiring certified operators.

Next steps and implementation: staff were authorized to proceed with the purchases and the contract amendment; the finance director was authorized to finalize financing for the pickup. The engine-refurbishment item will return on a future agenda.

Notes: All dollar amounts and timelines above are drawn from staff presentations at the June 23 meeting. The council's roll-call votes were recorded on the transcript as listed; some roll-call lists were partial in the record.