Frankfort commissioners approve fire‑station breathing air system, SCBA purchase and Holmes Street RCP MOA

The Frankfort Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on April 13 to approve three items the city described as time‑sensitive: purchase of a cascade breathing air system for Fire Station 1, acquisition of 10 self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) and cylinders, and adoption of a KYTC‑City memorandum of agreement and resolution tied to the Holmes/High Streets Corridor Complete Street Project — Phase 2.

Staff recommended buying a Bauer Unicus 4 cascade breathing air system to replace the department’s more than 26‑year‑old unit, citing scarce replacement parts and alignment of building electrical schematics with the replacement model. The contract price was listed at $95,787.85 (including a $4,500 trade‑in credit and discounts). The board approved the purchase on a 5‑0 roll call vote (motion by Commissioner Kelly May; second by Commissioner Rob Richardson).

The board also accepted the low bid from 911 Fleet and Fire Equipment for 10 Scott Safety Air‑Pak X3 Pro SCBAs with supplemental cylinders. Staff reported a bundled package price of $90,560.00, reflecting discounted cylinder pricing ($550 per cylinder versus a normal price cited in the memo) and noted that $80,000 of the purchase is covered by Telecom Tax funds with the remaining $10,560 available in the Fire Department equipment budget. Staff warned of a potential 6% global energy surcharge on orders placed after April 17, 2026. The SCBA purchase passed 5‑0 (motion by Commissioner Katima Smith‑Willis; second by Commissioner Leesa Unger).

On the Holmes Street Phase 2 project, staff outlined the FHWA Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) award of $8,245,000 for the High/Holmes corridor, and presented the KYTC‑City MOA that enables KYTC to reimburse the city for expended RCP grant funds. The packet lists local matching funds as City $354,762; KYTC $795,000; and Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development $7,095,238, for a total available funding figure shown as $16,490,000. The board adopted the KYTC/City MOA and accompanying resolution (Resolution No. 5, 2026 Series) by a 5‑0 vote (motion by Commissioner Kelly May; second by Commissioner Leesa Unger).

All three items were described in staff memos as pre‑negotiated or competitively sourced; the breathing air system purchase was to be paid from funds collected for the new fire station and the SCBA purchase from Telecom Tax and the department equipment budget. The votes authorize the mayor to sign related documents and schedule delivery and installation in coordination with ongoing construction for the new station.

The work session record shows the items were approved without dissent and that staff will proceed with procurement and the MOA execution. No amendments or rollbacks were recorded at the session.