By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
Despite varying opinions and concerns, the San Benito Commissioners approved two items—a resolution to finance and a later purchase—to cover half the cost of a $1.9 million ladder truck still under construction, which will be used locally in the future.
The financing will be spread over a 15-year period, according to separate meeting items that initially introduced a resolution on the matter and later the actual purchase. Both items were introduced by San Benito Fire Department Chief Efrain Bautista.
City Manager Carlos Yerena, Finance Director Stephanie Sarrionandia, and City Attorney Eric Flores also shared their views and answered questions on the matter during the meeting.
Mayor Pete Galvan opposed the item from the outset of the 20-minute resolution discussion. There was disapproval of the manner in which city staff was pursuing the major vehicle purchase from a sole-source vendor, and he said the city was “being backed into a corner and being told we need to buy this now.”
“I looked up the pricing for this vehicle commonly used by fire departments, and it’s comparable to other cities in the county and state,” Mayor Galvan said. “But when we make large purchases like this, I would rather issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to compare prices across different fire trucks or use a bid process.”
The mayor initially moved to table the resolution item but didn’t receive a second from another commissioner, so the motion died.
Later, Commissioner Place 1, Ricardo Perez, Jr., moved to proceed with the resolution to finance. Commissioner Place 4, Jose Navarro, seconded.
After initially having concerns and then having them addressed, Commissioner Place 3 Daniel Cortez voted yes. Commissioner Place 3 Victor Gonzalez abstained.
Mayor Galvan voted against proceeding.
Later in the meeting, the commissioners voted the same way on the separate item regarding the purchase.
Chief Bautista said the annual payment would be split equally, with 50 percent from the SBFD’s Emergency Services District funds and 50 percent from the city’s General Fund operating budget.
He said the financing structure reduces the immediate impact on the General Fund while supporting the SBFD’s long-term operational and emergency response needs.
Yerena said there are readily available funds that were budgeted. San Benito’s half payments would begin in one year.
But the fire truck would not arrive for another 24 to 29 months, a delay that concerned both Mayor Galvan and Commissioner Cortez.
FIRE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
When asked by Mayor Galvan whether the city might seek a new RFP process, Sarrionandia said it would take a month. It would also put San Benito out of the running if another municipality jumped at the chance to buy the ladder truck.
Galvan said he had concerns that the city was doing business with just one entity when it came to announcing its intention to possibly buy.
Chief Bautista said the ladder truck was already halfway through construction because it had been ordered by an outside entity with no local ties.
“It usually takes four years to complete, and at the time it was about halfway through, and whoever ordered it backed out,” Chief Bautista said to commissioners.
Also, he wasn’t allowed to know which municipality opted out, Chief Bautista told Commissioner Cortez.
“Now it’s only a 28-month wait instead of 48 months if commissioners approve the resolution and then later in the meeting, a purchase,” Chief Bautista said.
Lending more expertise on the matter, Chief Bautista said there aren’t many single-axle, 170-foot ladder trucks made, so he jumped at the opportunity to introduce the item to elected leaders.
He said the new one is three feet longer, and compatible with the design of SBFD’s current firehouses so it can fit inside.
Chief Bautista also said that replacing an aging apparatus with a modern, fully equipped aerial ladder truck may help improve the City of San Benito’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) Public Protection Classification.
“The (new) vehicle would put San Benito in compliance with ISO ratings, and that was another reason we jumped on this good deal on pricing that is from two years ago and not current pricing,” Chief Bautista said. “Everything still works on the 2004 ladder truck. San Benito would also receive more points on its ISO for the older truck we would still use and have in reserve.”
Mayor Galvan countered by explaining there are various ways in which the city and the SBFD can improve its ISO rating, including more personnel and adequate firehouses.
In fact, Galvan entertained the idea of having a new firehouse when discussion about an existing empty building came into discussion.
According to a meeting executive summary for commissioners, the SBFD officials noted that the current truck has “provided dependable service to the city, but it has reached an age where maintenance costs ($15,000 last year) continue to increase, replacement parts are becoming difficult to obtain, and equipment downtime has become more frequent.”
The executive summary also stated that the proposed apparatus “also supports the city’s Comprehensive Plan, which emphasizes protecting public health and safety, maintaining reliable municipal services, and investing in critical infrastructure that promotes sustainable economic development.”