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Harris council seeks FEMA grant for new radios, approves fire equipment repairs and schedules workshop
Summary
The council approved pursuing a $156,000 FEMA grant to replace radios, authorized medical screening and multiple equipment repairs for the Fire Department, and scheduled a Feb. 27 workshop to address staffing, policies and accountability.
Fire Chief Gabi Streater told the Harris City Council on Jan. 13 that the Fire Department has applied for a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant worth $156,000 to buy 20 new radios because a planned Chisago County broadcast upgrade will make the current radios incompatible after 2028. Streater said the grant requires a 5% local match, equal to $7,800.
Councilmembers voted unanimously to continue with the grant effort and to hire Widseth as the grant writer, approving payment of a $1,500 invoice for grant-writing services (motion by Councilmember Al Siedow; seconded by Councilmember Michelle Borash). Streater also requested a workshop on department expectations, policies, run statistics and human-resources oversight; the council scheduled that workshop for Feb. 27.
The council approved firefighter medical screening and fit testing through Med Compass for 2025, not to exceed $4,360 (motion by Siedow; seconded by Garret Pearson). Interim Truck Captain Josh Rouse described immediate equipment needs for a newly purchased truck from St. Croix Falls. The council authorized A1 Tire to supply steer tires (not to exceed $1,700), ABC Decals to provide vehicle decals (not to exceed $2,500), and Emergency Apparatus Maintenance (EAM) to perform bumper-to-bumper service and a pump test (not to exceed $2,500); each motion passed unanimously.
Rouse reported that title has been received for the department’s heavy rescue and that Miles City Fire Department is the buyer at a $30,000 sale price with a $3,000 broker fee. Council agreed the $27,000 net proceeds will be deposited into the City General Fund to offset the St. Croix truck purchase budget overrun. Councilmember Craig Moline reminded the department to monitor its budget and avoid overspending.
A personnel-related reimbursement request from firefighter Charles Mages was addressed: Mages asked to be reimbursed $224.96 for a chainsaw repair and four shirts he purchased, stating he intends to resign and wanted reimbursement before returning department property. Council approved reimbursement of $224.96 contingent on the city’s receipt of his resignation letter and return of shirts and all city property (motion by Garret Pearson; seconded by Al Siedow).
