In a 4-to-1 vote during a special meeting on Tuesday, the council approved a motion to authorize City Manager Mark Slown to submit ballot language to the Marquette County Clerk for a millage request not to exceed .9 mills.

The millage, if approved by the voters, would provide funds to purchase a new 75-foot aerial ladder firetruck for $700,000.

According to a report on bond referendum proposal created for the council by city staff, the new fire truck is needed for the safety of both residents and firefighters.

“The fire department currently does not have the capability to gain access to several large buildings in our city with our current ladders,” the report states. “The newer lightweight constructed buildings pose a risk of roof collapse. Weather conditions add risk with rain, snow and ice on roofs. Most modern metal roofs are also slippery. The overall impact of these conditions makes getting on and off any roof dangerous.”

Koski

The IFD currently uses a 1995 pumper truck and a 2005 pumper truck, according to the referendum proposal. The ladder truck the department is requesting is the current minimum standard for a modern fire department.

In addition to the 75-foot aerial ladder, the new fire truck would include a water pump, a minimum 500-gallon water tank, the ability to carry a minimum of 1,000 feet of 4-inch diameter hose and 115 feet of ground ladders.

Councilman Justin Koski said the safety and support for the department were motivating factors to support the millage.

“We have to let the taxpayers know that we are trying to get by right now with very minimal ask,” Koski said. “Primarily the safety of our firefighters and their department’s ability to even function at what the taxpayers expect, which is a lot because of the good work that the department does.”

Councilman Karl Lehmann voted against the millage request citing concerns that the Department of Public Works equipment needs would not be addressed.

“I want to be assured that the DPW is being taken care of in a way that’s not going to cause a bigger problem three years from now,” Lehmann said. “And I am not sure we are doing that. Our immediate problem is DPW … I am fine with getting the fire department the type of truck that they want.”

Lehmann said the original 1.6 mill proposal for both DPW and fire department equipment was too much to ask of the voters, and that city staff should shoulder some of the burden of finding a way to replace equipment.

“I don’t want a millage over a mill, period. That’s my problem, I don’t want to saddle the taxpayers. Let’s split it up,” Lehmann said. “Let’s let the city take care of a portion of it, and let’s ask the taxpayers for a portion of it.”

According to the report, the DPW requested $175,000 for a loader, $50,000 for a 1-ton dump truck and $40,000 for a Parks and Recreation pickup truck.

“DPW’s request was only for the most needed equipment, therefore, we could not kick the can down the road any further,” the report states.

Councilman Stu Skauge said the methodical approach to the budget is important to city residents.

“I think voters are noticing that we have spent some time on this issue,” Skauge said. “If we show that we are approaching this from several different ways, take some of our fund balance, adjust our budget down — then ask the voters.”

The council unanimously approved Skauge’s motion to transfer $165,000 from the city’s general fund, which is projected to have $900,000 at the end of 2016, to its capital improvement fund for the purchase of a front-end loader for the DPW.

“There is an advantage to using the fund balance,” Slown said. “Although I am not really thrilled about it. It shows the city voters that everybody is making sacrifices by giving up part of the city’s fund balance. Just so that everybody understands that when that’s gone we don’t get it back. And if we need it for an emergency in two or three years, it’s gone.”

The council also approved a motion to instruct Slown to work with city staff to draft an amendment for the 2017 budget that would allow for the purchase of two light duty trucks for the DPW.

DPW Director Jon Kangas said his department will try to keep costs down by trading in existing equipment.

“Two pickup trucks or one pickup and a 1-ton dump truck. I’ll find the best deal I can for the city,” Kangas said. “I’ll tell you we can take the plow chassis off of the old trucks and put them on the new trucks to get some low-maintenance life out of the equipment.”

Slown said $70,000 could likely be shifted from the city’s Public Improvement Fund to purchase the trucks, and if necessary an additional $30,000 could come from various other city funds to purchase a 1-ton dump truck.

“We’ll keep it as low as we can and get what he needs,” Slown said.

The language for the fire millage would need to be submitted to the county clerk by May 16 for the question to be placed on the ballot during the Aug. 8 election, Slown said.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.