By Jackie Taylor
Linn County News – November 13, 2013
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – November 18, 2013
Moving on at their Monday meeting, Linn Valley City Council approved a motion to bid for a refab metal building to replace the current fire barn located near the entrance of Linn Valley.
Councilman Nicolas Philpott explained to the council that after looking at the site, it became a question of “necessity versus want.”
With that, he explained the bare-bones building that will not have a bathroom, but be built onto an extended concrete pad adjoining the current thinner pad under the station.
“Large apparatus will go on the new slab,” said Philpott. “Older equipment will go on the current concrete.”
City Attorney Gary Thompson questioned Philpott as to whether building specs were available to give to interested bidders. Philpott answered that the building is prefab and that is already done.
Thompson asked, “How will you compare one bid that comes in with one gauge of metal and another bid that comes in with a different gauge? You’re asking for proposals rather than bids.”
“We’re going to put up the shell and use firefighter labor to do the rest,” said Philpott. “We want electricity brought to the building.”
Property Owner Association (POA) manager Pam McCoy commented, “You won’t have a sink to wash hands in?”
Philpott explained that would eventually come but on most medical calls they use hand sanitizer and wear gloves.
After more discussion, Philpott consented to the need for a pre-bid inspection by contractors so that they would understand the parameters the city was looking for. That meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 22, from 1-4 p.m.
Mayor Jeanne Dwyer questioned the number of years the building would serve the city without the need to build a new one. The council discussed that the upper fire station could still be used to house some of the apparatus, eliminating the need to build onto the new one.
Fire Chief Todd Stone commented that the POA is paying the electricity bills at the current station. He said, “I’m sure the POA is going to suggest we pay part of the electricity. That electricity is connected to the trash compactor and shredder.”
Discussion then went back to no water in the building, and several people in the audience commented that was not a good deal for firefighters returning from calls.
Philpott said they would hook the water up later and bring electricity to the building.
Codes Enforcement Officer Ralph Fitch disagreed with Philpott and told the council that it wouldn’t cost much to have the bathroom stubbed and water lines placed in the new concrete. He said that would be better than tearing up new concrete to try to get water lines put in later.
“It would be a mistake to not at least stub it out and put in water lines for future use,” said Fitch.
The council adjusted the bid proposal and said bids will be opened December 9.
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