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Fire Chief asks committee to seek bids to remove and reinstall solar array during Fire Station 3 roof replacement
Summary
La Crosse's fire chief told the Climate Action Plan Steering Committee the city needs to remove a solar array to replace a failing roof at Fire Station 3 and estimated array removal costs would be far less than the initial $40,000 quote; the committee unanimously directed staff to pursue lower-cost options and bids.
Fire Chief Jeff Shaw told the Climate Action Plan Steering Committee on Jan. 12 that Fire Station 3's roof needs replacement and the station's rooftop solar array must be taken down temporarily and reinstalled afterward.
"That's gonna be about a 6 figure project between 100 to 125,000 alone just to replace that roof," Shaw said, and added the array removal and reinstallation should cost substantially less. "I think it's gonna be less than 40,000," he said, and suggested the city could seek competitive bids or bundle the work with a roofing contractor.
Committee members asked how the work would be funded. Lewis (staff) explained the department proposes using direct-pay dollars obtained after energy-savings projects tied to the Johnson Controls performance contract, noting the city previously authorized those funds for climate-action implementation. Andrew Erickson asked whether utility-savings or other program funds could help offset costs.
After discussion, committee member Andrew Erickson moved to direct staff to work with the fire department to explore options and seek the best possible price; Casey Meehan seconded the motion. The committee voted unanimously to direct staff to develop procurement options and pursue lower-cost bids, and Louis said the steering committee would decide on use of climate-action implementation funds if those are chosen; otherwise the project would follow the appropriate funding body.
Shaw told the committee he would pursue a bidding process under city guidelines and try to bring back a lower estimate before the matter reaches the City Council. "I could get into great details of what it might take specifically," he said, asking the committee to let staff work on pricing so the council would not see an overrun request prematurely.
The steering committee did not authorize spending at the meeting; instead members instructed staff to issue an RFP or otherwise seek lower-cost options and return with costs and funding recommendations for the appropriate decision-making body.
