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Newport council approves $249,880 replacement for community center climate unit and OKs other equipment purchases
Summary
The Newport City Council approved a $249,880 bid to replace a failing Dectron unit at the community center and authorized firefighting equipment and animal-control cage purchases, saying budget funds are available and that installation will cause temporary disruption.
A city staff member told the Newport City Council that a rebid to replace the community center's failing Dectron climate unit totals $249,880 and that installers will need to remove glass doors and some walls to bring the new unit into the pool area on the building's second level, near the police department. “It is costing us, you know, about every 3 weeks, $5,000 to keep it running,” the staff member said, and added officials were concerned about losing Freon and possible environmental scrutiny.
Council members discussed a required budget amendment; the clerk said a budget amendment would be necessary to cover the work. A committee member moved to approve consideration of the humidification-system bid; the motion was seconded and carried on roll call.
Votes at a glance: • Humidification system at community center — motion to approve consideration carried on roll call (Alderman Mike Hansel: Yes; Alderman Louanna Oettinger: Yes; Alderman Randy Reagan: Yes; Mayor Connie Ball: Yes). Total: 4 Yes, 0 No. • Fire-hose bid for the Newport Fire Department — approved on roll call (names read by clerk during roll call; Yes votes recorded). Total: Recorded as carried. • Air packs and supplies for the Newport Fire Department — approved on roll call; presenter gave a grand total of $35,292 for the listed purchase and said funds are in the budget. • Animal-control cages — approved on roll call; single bid received for $14,710.10 (shipping not included); funds available.
The council's approvals covered multiple routine procurement requests submitted as advertised bids or through cooperative purchasing programs. For the fire-department purchases, an agency representative said the purchases are intended to rotate stock and prepare for incoming apparatus; some air packs and bottles were described as having high per-unit costs and staggered replacement timelines. The clerk and staff confirmed funding is available for the items but said a formal budget amendment will be processed for the larger community-center replacement. The meeting record shows each motion was seconded and approved by roll call.
