Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works Insurance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
After two transfer-station fires, city staff say insurer declared newer trailer a total loss
Summary
City manager told the commission that two recent transfer-station trailer fires damaged city equipment; Montana Municipal Interlocal (MMIA) declared the newer trailer a total loss and will reimburse replacement less the city's deductible, with a salvage offset if the city retains damaged equipment.
City staff told commissioners on July 7 that two trailer fires at the Livingston transfer station — one inside the building in late May and a second in early June — damaged two pieces of city-owned equipment and triggered insurance claims.
Mister Gager explained that MMIA (the municipal risk pool) has declared the newer trailer a total loss and requested a signed purchase order so the city can receive reimbursement for replacement less the city's deductible. If the city keeps the damaged new trailer for salvage, MMIA would reduce the reimbursement by about $8,800 to reflect salvage value. Staff said the earlier, used trailer damaged in the first fire appears to be more severely burned and staff were awaiting MMIA's valuation; a $106,000 charge appears in the packet related to the older damaged trailer.
Why it matters: The commission approved purchase orders on the consent calendar that staff said were necessary to replace or repair equipment used in public-works operations. Insurance reimbursements and salvage determinations affect near-term capital spending and budgeting for public-works fleets.
Staff follow-up: Public works staff are evaluating repair options for the first damaged trailer and have a delivered replacement trailer for the other unit. Finance staff, who sit on the MMIA board, can assist commissioners with questions about the municipal self-insurance pool's processes and timelines for reimbursement.
Procedural note: The purchase-order item related to the new trailer (Item F / Purchase Order 20268) was on the consent calendar and discussed as part of consent-item Q&A; the consent calendar passed earlier in the meeting.
Ending: Staff told the commission they will provide insurance-valuation results and any necessary follow-up procurement details via email and in the next meeting packet.
