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Hermantown Council approves ladder truck, radio upgrades and infrastructure grant reapplication
Summary
The Hermantown City Council unanimously approved a consent agenda and multiple resolutions including purchase of a Pierce 110-foot ladder truck ($1,999,986) with internal financing, replacement police radios ($229,231.65), reapplication for a $2 million DEED infrastructure grant, HVAC bid authorization and other routine measures.
The Hermantown City Council approved a string of equipment purchases, a DEED grant reapplication and facility upgrades in a single meeting, voting unanimously on each item.
The council approved the consent agenda, which included minutes and accounts payable warrants totaling about $4.94 million. Councelor Gistler moved the consent motion and Councelor Jelly seconded; the roll call vote recorded each member voting "I."
Capital equipment and financing: Resolution 2026-15 authorized purchase of a Pierce 110-foot aerial ladder truck for $1,999,986 to replace a unit purchased in 2003. Mr. Graves, who described the procurement process, said staff began discussions with manufacturers in 2022 and recommended Pierce as the best and most economical option. Staff warned the city should expect a three- to four-year delivery lead time.
To fund the purchase, Resolution 2026-16 authorized an internal loan not to exceed $1,300,000. Mr. Moulder said the city will use approximately $500,000 that had been set aside by the volunteer fire department and borrow the remaining amount from the water fund to avoid outside interest payments, saving an estimated $153,000 in interest costs compared with manufacturer financing.
Public safety equipment: Resolution 2026-17 authorized purchase of police portable and squad radios (packet amount $229,231.65). Chief Grace explained current radios were purchased in 2012, are beyond end of life and have become unreliable; he said replacement is necessary because radios are the department's "lifeline" during emergencies.
Economic development and facilities: Resolution 2026-18 authorizes staff to reapply for a previously awarded DEED (state) infrastructure grant of about $2 million for a large northwest parcel near Highway 53. Mr. Moulder said the grant was reserved while staff and a new developer reimagined the site's use; future development and cooperative agreements will assign responsibilities for upgrades. Separately, the council approved a scope of work and advertisement for bids on HVAC control upgrades for city facilities (resolution 2026-9), funded in the city's CIP, and voted to waive municipal consent for MnDOT's 2027 Highway 2 resurfacing project (project 6908-72).
Personnel action: The council also approved wage-rate adjustments for five part-time employees for 2026 (resolution 2006-21); staff said the change is retroactive and consistent with raises for other employees.
Votes and procedure: Each resolution on the agenda was moved, seconded and carried on roll call with council members recording "I." No amendments or failed motions were recorded. The meeting recessed at the close of business.
What this means: The approved actions advance planned capital maintenance and equipment replacement and preserve the city's ability to reapply for state infrastructure funds aimed at redevelopment. Several items (notably the ladder truck) include significant lead times or future agreements, and the council signaled financing choices intended to limit interest costs.
