Thursday, December 03, 2009

Englewood approves purchase of new medic

Thursday, December 03, 2009


By Marilyn McConahay

For the Independent

Purchase of a new ambulance and year-end housekeeping were the main items of business on the agenda at the Englewood City Council's Nov. 24 meeting.

The council approved purchase of a 2010 Medic unit from Horton Emergency Vehicles of Grove City at a cost not to exceed $140,000.

The purchase will result in the sale of the unit known as Medic 199, a 2001 model that has racked up 100,757 miles.

"We're getting an early start - it takes eight to 12 months to manufacture a Medic," said City Manager Eric Smith.

Horton submitted the lowest, best bid at $138, 594.50. The purchase will be made by funds already allotted in next year's budget.

"Although the life expectancy of a Medic is 12 years, we like to rotate around eight years before major mechanical problems develop," said City Manager Eric Smith.

Also approved was a resolution designating five local banks as depositories for city funds for the period of 2010 through 2014.

"Every five years we request proposals from different banks to be sure we get the best deal," Smith said. "We have to spread it around and not use just one bank, in order to protect our investments," Smith said.

The city has been using National City Bank, which soon will become PNC Bank, for about 30 years, Smith said.

However, with the current investment environment, using the additional banks will offer more flexibility for short-term investments.

"We've been getting almost no return on the investments we have," Smith said. The five banks of deposit under the new agreement to take effect Jan. 1 are PNC, Fifth Third, JP Morgan Chase, Key Bank and US Bank.

A liquor permit request made by Humpty's (located inside the Holiday Inn on Rockridge Road) for D5A Spirituous liquor for on-premises consumption, was tabled.

The council approved appointments to the city's Fine Arts Commission for the following people: Bob Bryenton, Tina Bryenton, Bryna Weiner, Marge Branscum, Ed Kemper, Amy Tipple, Barb Franz, John Hames and Kathleen McDaniel.

Smith reported that a deal for the city to purchase two properties at 806 and 808 S. Main St., which formerly housed an auto parts shop and a tattoo parlor, fell through during the recent closing procedure.

The city had planned to purchase the properties, described as "blight," and demolish the structures, then plant them with grass to blend in with the nearby Englewood Reserve.

Englewood City Council meetings are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Englewood Government Center.