Vehicles -- one for the Police Department, one for the Fire Department -- dominated the Pea Ridge City Council meeting on April 22.
After more than 30 minutes of discussion, council members voted 3-1 to buy a Dodge Durango four-wheel-drive truck to be driven by Police Chief Ryan Walker. The vehicle will replace the pickup truck currently assigned to the chief.
Council member Bob Cottingham voted against the purchase after extensively questioning Walker about the need and the use.
"I have reservation, I'm going to have to say no," Cottingham said when his name was called to vote. Council members Ray Easley, Steve Guthrie and Lance Sanders voted to approve the purchase.
City Clerk Sandy Button was acting as mayor due to the absence of Mayor Jackie Crabtree.
The Durango will be purchased from Cleburne County rather than from the state purchasing program because the deadline to participate had passed. Cleburne County had purchased the Durango for the sheriff's use, but he died and the current sheriff has no use for it.
Walker noted that county is offering a good deal on the truck.
The chief said he needs a vehicle such as the Durango because it can carry much more equipment than a pickup truck.
"I am taking our police department to a new level as chief," Walker said. One piece of that is carrying more equipment to support officers in the field as quickly as possible. For example, he noted that in the case of a missing child, if all the specific equipment for the task is in his vehicle it won't have to be loaded at the police station -- thereby saving time. Also, it will carry food and water for field use if officers are on manhunts or other long-term details.
"Ground clearance is huge," Walker said. "Being chief I need to be wherever something happens at. The worst stuff ends up way off the roadway. Sometimes the (Dodge) Chargers (patrol cars) make it, sometimes they don't."
The plan that the council approved is taking $14,000 from selling the truck, paring it with $18,000 from impact fees to buy and outfit the Durango. That plan has no impact other than reducing the amount of unbudgeted money from impact fees. Walker noted that the city budgeted to buy a new Dodge Charger this year. The Durango won't change that purchase.
Cottingham's line of questions focused on the car rather than the SUV. He noted that four-door sedans can carry nearly as much as an SUV and get better fuel mileage. Cottingham also questioned how secure it would be parked at his home at night.
Walker said he parks it in his home's garage 99 percent of the time. If it's needed when he's out of town, an officer has a key to his home so the department can readily access it.
Sanders said he supports the purchase.
"I'm for the tools to get the job done," he said.
"True, me too," Cottingham said, "but I don't want to be extravagant. We've got a pretty expensive tax base, that's what I'm concerned about. But I keep getting people saying they're seeing new vehicles all the time, (and asking) why. Why such a large police force? We have to be good stewards of the money."
Walker said the city's force is in line with national standards for officers per 1,000 population.
Turning to the Fire Department, the council launched into another lengthy discussion -- this one about an ambulance.
Fire Chief Jamie Baggett reported back on Cottingham's request from last month's meeting on a report on what will be required to fix the backup ambulance.
Blackhawk Automotive doesn't work on diesel engines, so the ambulance was taken to a shop in Rogers. Mechanics reported that the turbocharger has a leak, fuel injectors are bad, the wiring harness and glow plugs need replacing, and some other more-minor things. Totaled, the price is $6,000 to repair a vehicle that's been used three times in the past three years, Baggett said.
The ambulance has 79,000 miles on it. It simply sits at the station except for making appearances at home football games.
Baggett asked to have it declared surplus so it could be sold, leaving the city with one ambulance.
He noted that because the city ambulance service is advanced life support, rather than basic life support, there is a better working relationship with other ALS departments, and mutual aid agreements can provide backup service.
Baggett proposed replacing it with a four-wheel drive crew cab pickup truck. He would not drive it as a chief's truck. It would remain at the station for use.
Cottingham expressed concern about only having one ambulance.
"I am 100 percent for getting rid of the second ambulance. But I remember how important it was to have a second ambulance a few years ago.... That was hammered home (by the previous chief)."
Guthrie noted that by keeping the old ambulance it can appear at football games, the Mule Jump, and other community events.
"Every place I go, there's an ambulance at the football game," Guthrie said.
Sanders asked what happens if the main ambulance is damaged.
"We're SOL," Cottingham said, using the abbreviation for "Sorry, out of luck."
Baggett said mutual aid would cover the city.
"We have to have backup," Cottingham said. "That was hammered down on us and... now it's a new ball game and we don't need it. Selling it and buying a half-ton pickup truck is not what the people of Pea Ridge need."
Easley agreed the city needs a second ambulance available.
Button asked when the main ambulance is paid off. Baggett said in a year and a half.
"Then how about we get a new one and move that one to backup," Button suggested. She noted that if the city applies for a loan now, when the current main ambulance is paid off the payment simply rolls into the new note.
"We can start looking for a good deal," she said.
She then noted she thinks the truck for the Fire Department is a good idea.
"A wholly equipped vehicle for the fire chief like Ryan has (as police chief)," Button said. "That's not a bad idea."
Turning back to the old ambulance, Baggett said it is worth no more than $1o,000.
Easley noted that Lowell and Springdale are diesel repair central, and advised shopping for repairs there.
"I appreciate the hard work and don't be discouraged," Button told Baggett. "I know this is a trying time right now and it will all come together."
General News on 04/29/2015