Administrative
Report
H.10., File # 23-5644 Meeting Date: 3/21/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: PATRICK BUTLER, INTERIM FIRE CHIEF
TITLE
APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH SEAGRAVE FIRE APPARATUS, LLC FOR THE SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE OF A SEAGRAVE FIRE ENGINE FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,032,000
FROM THE VEHICLE REPLACEMENT FUND
ADOPT BY 4/5THS VOTE AND BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION CC-2303-028, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING A 2022- 2023 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET MODIFICATION TO APPROPRIATE $1,032,000 FROM THE VEHICLE REPLACEMENT FUND TO THE PUBLIC WORKS 2022-2023 FISCAL YEAR OPERATING BUDGET TO REPLACE And OUTFIT A NEW FIRE ENGINE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Redondo Beach Fire Department (Department) requests funding for the sole source purchase of a new fire engine from Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC. (Seagrave) to replace a front-line unit that will in turn be used as a reserve/standby engine. The transition of the current front-line unit to reserve status will allow for the elimination of a standby engine that is aging and, in a few years, no longer expected to meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
The proposed accelerated acquisition schedule comes from an opportunity created by another local jurisdiction which experienced a delay in the delivery of their fire fleet vehicles that resulted in a supplemental purchase and an inventory surplus. Typically, acquisition of a fire engine requires a 36 to 48 month build and delivery cycle. With approval, the engine will be immediately available to the City. Additionally, the City will achieve approximately $100,000 in purchase savings and significantly reduced maintenance costs that without the acquisition would be required to further operate the current reserve engine.
BACKGROUND
A local jurisdiction has delayed delivery of a fleet of fire engines, that has created a surplus in inventory and an opportunity for the City to promptly acquire a much-needed apparatus at a favorable cost. To encourage the purchase, Seagrave reduced the price of the engine by almost $100,000.
The expected delivery of the new fire engine is 180 days following Council approval, rather than the typical 36 to 48 months required to design and build a new engine. The acquisition will improve the condition of the current reserve units, which will not meet NFPA standards after 2026.
The City currently maintains two reserve fire engines which are frequently used to replace front-line units when they are taken out of service to complete regular maintenance. In the past six months,
H.10., File # 23-5644 Meeting Date: 3/21/2023
units when they are taken out of service to complete regular maintenance. In the past six months, the Department has had to place the reserve engines into service seven times and on one occasion borrow a unit from another department due to required emergency repairs to frontline apparatus.
The current reserve fire engines have been in service for over 22 years and accrue high maintenance costs. One is currently out of service due to a mechanical failure, with an estimated repair cost of $55,000. Both Hold Over apparatuses require emergency lighting upgrades to meet current safety standards for ememergency responses and a complete fire pump rebuild to meet mandated testing requirements. The projected cost for these upgrades and repairs is $53,000 for both units. These general costs do not include future maintenance for the aging units or repairs to their major mechanical systems.
Both reserve engines will soon reach their total service life of 25 years in accordance with National Fire Protection Association Standard 1901 and require a significant investment in resources during their final years of service. Also worth noting is that the reserve engines have legacy diesel motors that emit exhaust classified as Group 1 carcinogens. The new fire engine will operate with a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system that chemically converts fine particulate emissions into nitrogen and water vapor. This alternative will improve the health and safety of the public and the firefighters when operating the new fire engine.
The Fire Department requests the City Council approve the proposed sole source purchase to facilitate the immediate acquisition of the apparatus, capitalize on the cost savings, and address the Department’s current fleet needs.
COORDINATION
The Redondo Beach Fire Department coordinated with the Public Works Department to discuss apparatus acquisition and replacement. The Agreement and Resolution were approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
The acquisition of a new fire engine from Seagrave Fire Apparatus requires the appropriation of $1,032,000 from the Vehicle Replacement Fund (VRF), comprised of $422,532 in available funding in Unit 116’s (Engine 62) current replacement account and an advance of $609,468 from the VRF.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Agmt - Seagrave Purchase Agreement
· Reso - #CC-2023-XXX Budget Modification Appropriating $1,032,000 from the Vehicle Replacement Fund to the Public Works Operating Budget
· Redondo Beach Capitol Pumper Price Extension, March 6, 2023 · Redondo Beach Pumper Proposal Drawing