Council approves plan for ambulance purchase
Mar. 13—March's Plains Council meeting centered around financing a new ambulance for Plains Community Ambulance.
Larry Nelson from the Plains Community Ambulance asked the town council for help in purchasing a new Type 3 ambulance.
PCA would enter into a contract with the city for the purchase of a new ambulance for the loan amount of $185,062. A loan term of seven years at an interest rate of 5.75%.
The town would take out a loan from Intercap Lending, a Better Business accredited loan company.
Mayor Joel Banham said the state requires the city to only pay every six months. PCA wishes to make a monthly payment of $2,707 to the city.
Neilson said the ambulance will be an all-wheel-drive gas-powered, van that will be used mostly for patient transport to various locations.
Council members unanimously voted in favor of the proposal. Several ambulances have been purchased in the same manner over the years.
Banham started the meeting by reporting on the Plains Police Department's activity for the previous month. Thirty-seven citations were issued in February, with 82 pending. One hundred thirty cases were disposed of, and 96 active warrants are still on the books. The town received $6,100 in fines in February and $7,845 in January.
Water loss due to leakage dropped to 14%, with 3.3 million gallons pumped and 2.8 million gallons sold.
Banham reported on the completion of the installation of new computers for the city. A total of five were purchased from First Call, with three going to the police department and two installed in the clerk's office.
Police and public works department heads were not present to file their reports to the council.
Town Fire Chief Anthony Young commented that the firehall needed some major improvements. He is looking at grant money to fund the estimated $100,000 project which will also include additional storage space for the city. Depending on the grant monies available, the project may need to be done in sections.
Young said that they are averaging one to two calls per month.
"No major calls, no structure fires since our last report," Young told the council. "All our trucks are running good. We haven't been getting many calls."
Young said he has two possible new recruits for the department.
"Now days it's hard to find people that are willing to take the time (to volunteer)," he said.
Both items under unfinished business — parking of motor vehicles on public ways and the road district item — were tabled until the April council meeting. Banham said they felt that council members should speak with their constituents before moving forward.
Banham said the item, if the council approves, could be on the next ballot.
The last item for the evening pertained to the Chapter 4 ordinance billing. This addressed the ordinance that charges homeowners a fee to turn off and back on water entering their properties. Further discussion, and a first reading of the ordinance changes will be addressed at next month's meeting.
Ward 3 Councilor Chad Cantrell reviews a billing ordinance during the Plains City Council meeting. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
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