Council authorizes up to $85,000 for a replacement rescue boat for the fire department

The council authorized the fire chief to procure a replacement rescue boat through the Sourcewell cooperative contract, not to exceed $85,000, to restore and modernize the city's water-rescue capability.

Fire Chief Scott Gilroyal described the current rescue boat (27 years old) as out of service since September of the prior year and said the department has experienced multiple incidents where response was delayed while staff relied on private vessels. The chief said the new boat will be larger, carry personnel and equipment needed for rescue operations, and can operate on the lake, river, and harbor.

Councilors asked about coordination with other departments and winterization/storage costs. Staff said winterization and storage arrangements are manageable and that economies of scale with the harbor and water-department vessel winterization may be explored. The chief said the boat vendor can deliver and Peery will complete final outfitting in roughly 4'6 weeks.

Councilor Smith moved to authorize purchase through a Sourcewell cooperative procurement contract for the replacement rescue boat and associated emergency response equipment in an amount not to exceed $85,000, with funding from city capital reserves and the fire training site account. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The city will finalize vendor arrangements and return with equipment and storage logistics as needed.