LARNED — Federal funding is now available for the Larned Volunteer Fire Department and what remains is how to spend it.
The Pawnee County wildfire that burned nearly 8,500 acres in March 2022 near Garfield not only resulted in loss of a residence, a hunting lodge and cattle, the Larned department took a hit as well. Two damaged fire trucks and the need to refurbish the county’s mobile command center were at the forefront of aftermath discussions Monday by firefighters and Pawnee County leadership.
County officials looked to federal officials for assistance, and the office of Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., responded.
After the wildfires, the Senator’s office continued communicating with county officials and, last fall, officials had placed an appropriation dedicated to the Larned department.
The approved funds totalling $1,142,000 accessible through the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development program were the subject of discussion at Monday’s meeting of the Larned City Council.
“We want to give credit to Sen. Moran, who took a lot of hits for this,” noted Larned City Manager Brad Eilts. “It makes the effort that much more impactful in getting us this money.”
Original estimates for a new rural fire truck at $577,000 and $800,000 for a new city engine left a small balance for a mobile command center. Bids received for the two trucks were under what was anticipated; however, the estimate for the mobile center came in at $500,000, which would require an additional $400,000 from an undetermined funding source.
Low bids from Hays Fire and Rescue Sales and Services were presented and discussed, but were not made public at the meeting.
Eilts noted that delivery time was significant, as the rural pumper would be delivered approximately 575 days and the city engine 545 days after contract execution.
Larned Fire Chief Leonard Herrman said he met with Hays Fire on specifications and the vehicles were specified to fit within the building.
If the trucks are purchased, Truck No. 12, a 1976 Dodge Tanker, and Truck No. 14, a 1981 American Lafrance, would be retired and auctioned off.
Truck No. 15, a 1985 rural pumper, would become the reserve pumper truck; Truck No. 18, a 2001 Laverne, would become the reserve city truck and Truck No. 19. a 2019 Ford F-550 brush truck, would be relocated to the LFD’s station small garage.
“There would then have to be some retrofitting onto that (small garage) back door,” Herrman said. “It’s very doable.”
A representative from E-One, Jon’s Mid-America in Rogersville, Mo., then addressed the council, noting that his company would offer to custom build trucks if he would be allowed to submit a bid. He noted he had submitted several bids that were specifically written for the department’s specifications.
After council discussion, it was moved to accept the funds from the USDA. A special meeting to discuss bids, including a bid from E-One, and additional fire department information, would be set at a later date.
Larned City Council meeting at a glance
Here is a brief look at what the Larned City Council did Monday evening.
• Approved a Dollar General cereal malt beverage license. With prior approval of the police chief, fire chief and city building inspector, the council approved the CMB for its newly-constructed facility at 702 E. 14th St. upon payment of the $75 general retailer’s fee.
• Approved Appropriations Ordinance No. 3 in the amount of $1,126,937.96.
• Approved $25,000 above a request by Housing Opportunities Inc. Callie Miller requested the council’s assistance for payment of outstanding bills for the Dream Homes project in Larned. The council voted to increase the amount to $25,000 as cash flow for the organization.
• Heard an update on the City Electric System improvement plan. Barrett Friend was introduced as the newly appointed operations manager for Midwest Energy. Materials for several projects have been ordered since December. The projects include upgrades to the Santa Fe Trail substation; east substation, tie-in line; and the 2400 South and 13.8 South circuits, with work estimated to begin this spring and late summer.
• Received bids on the City/County Municipal Airport project.
• Heard an update on the city’s wage study report conducted by the Austin Peters Group.
• Purchased a server for the 911/Dispatch CAD system. Currently, the dispatch’s system serves the Larned Police Department, Pawnee County Sheriff’s Offices, the four fire departments in Burdett, Garfield, Larned and Rozel, and Pawnee County EMS in Burdett and Larned.
• Approved the Federal Appropriation for the Larned Volunteer Fire Department.
• Heard a report from City Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Will Tice requesting fee changes to selected city codes.
• Deferred funding the Lift Larned Program for 2023. The program was begun in 2021 as a beautification program for the city. An amount of $50,000 was allocated in 2021 and 2022.
• Tabled for further discussion a request from the Pawnee County Fair Board to assist with the construction of a cement walkway at the Pawnee County Fairgrounds barn.
• Discussed a request from Ward 4 Councilwoman Sharon McGinness, regarding the condition of the equipment at the playground located at Third and Park Sts. The equipment is currently closed to the public for safety concerns.
• Discussed possible subjects for the current CDBG cycle. City Manager Brad Eilts outlined possible projects for application in the current grant cycle.
• Discussed public safety issues in the city as introduced by Councilman Kim Barnes.
• Discussed grass disposal options in the city as introduced by Councilman Josh Riedl.
