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Ellendale fire chief reports punch list on new hall, seeks equipment and approves sale of utility vehicle
Summary
Fire Chief Logan Busho reported outstanding items from a fire-hall walkthrough, said the Fire Relief–Gambling committee donated $5,000 toward building costs, and the council approved purchases including wheeled lockers (up to $10,000) and a $300 gas monitor; the department also cleared sale of its side-by-side utility vehicle.
Fire Chief Logan Busho told the Ellendale City Council on Jan. 8 that a walk-through of the new fire hall identified outstanding subcontractor items that APX expects to finish by Jan. 16. The Fire Relief–Gambling committee donated an additional $5,000 toward building costs, Busho said, and the council recorded that contribution in the minutes.
Busho asked the council to approve purchases to outfit the new hall. The council approved up to $10,000 to buy new wheeled lockers (the old wall-mounted lockers cannot be affixed to the hall’s steel walls); the motion was made by Council Member Charles Berg and seconded by Council Member Joel Meyer, and passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.
Separately, the department reported problems with pumps and meter fittings freezing during subzero temperatures on a recent incident; Busho estimated repairs and heater installation could total about $5,000 and said staff may need to install tank heaters on the truck. Several firefighters attended hazmat training in Waseca and the trainer recommended purchasing a gas monitor (estimated at $300). Acting Mayor Scott Groth moved to approve the gas monitor purchase; the council approved that item on a unanimous roll-call vote.
The fire department also received clearance of title from the DNR to sell its side-by-side vehicle. Council Member Joel Meyer moved to approve selling the unit and Council Member Jon Asplund seconded; the motion passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: the fire-hall completion and equipment decisions affect response readiness and firefighter safety. The minutes show the council authorized modest capital spending and accepted a local donation that reduces the project’s out-of-pocket cost to the city.
Next steps: APX subcontractors are expected to address punch-list items by Jan. 16 and the council directed no additional formal action in the minutes beyond approving the purchases and allowing the vehicle sale. Any further changes to department staffing or pay were discussed but tabled for additional information.
