South Cook News

City of Oak Forest City Council met Nov. 20

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Henry L. Kuspa called the City Council special meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Roll Call as follows: 

Present: Alderman Keeler 

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

Alderman Emmett 

Alderman Hortsman 

Alderman Danihel

Also Present: City Clerk Nicole Tormey 

Treasurer Ericka Vetter 

City Administrator Tim Kristin 

Finance Director Colleen Julian 

Fire Chief Garrick Kasper 

Deputy Fire Chief Paul Chocola

3. Announcements 

None. 

4. Fire Department 

A. Approval to purchase a 2024 Pierce Enforcer 107 foot Ascendant Ladder truck approximately $1,788,000.00 from MacQueen. 

Alderman Emmett made the motion. Alderman Danihel seconded. 

Fire Chief Gary Kasper gave a summary of events. 

The current fire truck is a 2001 Pierce 105 foot ladder which was purchased for $549,220.00. It is currently out of service. It would at least need $475,870.00 in known repairs to frame and chassis. There would be additional costs to fix or replace the main ladder and electronic control module. All repairs would take at least one year. The NFPA recommends 10 years of service for first out equipment, 15 years of service for reserve equipment and 25 years needs to be replaced. 

There was a plan in place to update the fleet but prices changed dramatically since then. They started with a concept in that would cost $1.8 million in 2022. The price for that vehicle today is $2.3 million, increase of 27% or $500,000.00. 

He has met with multiple vehicle manufacturers and the average delivery time for a truck is 4 years. He was able to get the cost of the proposed truck to $1.77 million and take delivery in the Spring 2025. If this truck is not bought, a new build process would have to be started and could take 4 years. This truck is available sooner because it is a stock build that met the city's needs. This would give the city 2 reliable and safe fire vehicles serving as front line. The need to borrow vehicles will be dramatically reduced. 

Alderman Emmett asked how many gallons will it hold. Fire Chief Kasper answered it acts as both, a front line engine with pumper with a 107 foot ladder. It is bigger and has more compartmentalization. It has 500 gallon tank. 

Alderman Hortsman asked about the ages of the other trucks. Fire Chief Kasper replied 1999 Pierce Pumper, 2006 Pierce Pumper, 2020 Pierce Pumper, 2001 not in service Pierce aerial truck. Alderman Hortsman asked if this replacement truck is to catch up on some of the issues and if it is going to be used to go out on ambulance calls. Fire Chief Kasper responded while it is under warranty that is his expectation. He would like it to go out while under warranty so any issues can be fixed. Alderman Hortsman asked about their replacement policy and whether he has worked with staff regarding same. Fire Chief Kasper stated in the past there may have been a vehicle replacement plan in place. He has a replacement plan in place moving forward. They have been steadily replacing ambulances. That is not a problem. The chief met with Finance Director Colleen Julian 2-1/2 years ago when he became the chief and she has been putting $300,000.00 into a sinking fund to put money away for future vehicle purchases. Alderman Hortsman asked if there is revenue generated from calls and insurance. Fire Chief Kasper stated they do collect some revenue from ambulance billing and crash reports which goes into the general fund. Alderman Hortsman asked if there are any issues with the ISO. Fire Chief Kasper explained the last audit was 2-1/2 years ago and they did not have any issues. But the truck was up and running. ISO maintains that a fire department should have a response area with five buildings which are 3 stories or 35 feet or higher in height or five buildings that have need for fire flow of greater than 3,500 gallons per minute, should have a ladder company in that response area to receive the highest points available. Fire Chief Kasper stated with buildings that are 3 stories or higher the city has over 30 buildings and a few that are 5 stories or greater. Alderman Hortsman confirmed the ladder truck is necessary for insurance reasons and making sure buildings are okay. Fire Chief Kasper stated operationally, this is a great need for the department and the city. Alderman Hortsman asked if there was another pumper truck available that the fire department was looking at. Fire Chief Kasper corrected him that it was an engine. There were some stock units available and did not match their needs. 

Alderman Emmett clarified we need the front line equipment. To get equipment from neighboring towns there could be a delay of 10 minutes. Fire Chief Kasper stated there are great partners in MABAS but they are busy as well.

Alderman Hortsman asked if there would be any retrofit after receiving the truck in Spring 2025. How long before the truck is in service. Fire Chief Kasper responded there will be radios to be put in. Depends on the other companies schedule. He is comfortable saying it will be a shorter turnaround. They have to move over all the equipment, etc. He is comfortable saying 3 weeks. 

Alderman Hortsman asked Finance Director Colleen Julian where the finances are coming from. Colleen stating the city has a $300,000.00 sinking fund. She is suggesting that the city use the $600,000.00 that is saved, coming May 1 there will be another $300,000.00. She then suggests to borrow internally, saving the interest expense, and pay back over three years and continue to put money in the sinking fund. 

Mayor Kuspa clarified this is a stock vehicle and time is of the essence. He questioned Fire Chief if the stock vehicle has the bells and whistles that the department needs. Gary stated there are a certain amount of changes you can make in the stock vehicle. 

Alderman Wolf asked if this came up all of the sudden. Last he knew they were looking at an engine truck. Fire Chief Kasper stated it was always his intention to prioritize a ladder truck. Because of financial restraints with the city, there was a discussion that perhaps two engines would be fiscally better for the city. Colleen discussed a price that would be comfortable to purchase 2 engines over a span of 4 to 5 years. Alderman Wolf asked if an engine would take 3- 5 years. Fire Chief Kasper responded a stock unit could come across in 1 year, 2-5 years. To build one to our specs, it is roughly 3-4 years away. Alderman Wolf does not think we are in a position to wait that long. He wants to make sure there is a plan to bring the city's needs up to a current level. He asked what the needs will be after this. Fire Chief Kasper stated an engine. His recommendation is to replace an engine every 12-15 years, a ladder truck every 20 years, ambulance every 7 years and staff vehicles every 10 years. Alderman Wolf remarked on the usage of the truck and the policy. Fire Chief Kasper stated whenever there are 4 people on duty at any given station, for an ambulance call the ambulance goes out and a piece of fire apparatus. If there are less than 4 people then it is the ambulance followed by a station car. In the past, trying to prolong the life of the truck, an engine would go out with the ambulance. He is open operationally to extend the life of the truck but would like to work the bugs out while it is under warranty. Alderman Wolf confirmed the warranty is not under mileage but years. He also asked why an engine goes to a call for paramedics. Fire Chief Kasper replied they send a truck when they are staffed with 4 people because contractually they have to send at least 3 members on each call and they want 3-4 people on every call. Mayor Kuspa remarked extra crew is needed for the safety of our people. Fire Chief Kasper stated the reason they use an engine and not a station car is because the engine will be out on the road and if they get a call they are quicker to respond. All fire vehicles are ALS equipped and certified. Staffing does dictate how they respond and how to tactically handle things. 

Alderman Wolf asked Colleen if the funds for the sinking fund are coming out of the general fund. Colleen responded it is coming from retail sales tax. The sinking fund is a savings account to pay cash. Alderman Wolf clarified we would be paying it off ourselves. He asked if there is grant funding through the state. Colleen does not think we will show the financial need. Chief Kasper stated he did apply for federal grants and were denied. 

Alderman Emmett asked if the city is update on collecting money on all ambulance billing. Chief Kasper replied they are recouping everything they can. 

Alderman Keeler asked Colleen if they take the loan from the general fund if the $300,000.00 to pay it back will be in addition to the $300,000.00 put in it. Colleen answered just $300,000.00. 

Alderman McCarthy asked how many calls Chief thinks they would need a ladder truck for. Chief stated getting an engine instead of a truck would not be beneficial to the city. In 2023 the response matrix responded 410 times. 

Alderman Selman asked about the existing truck that is out of service and if it is the truck that just had transmission work done on. Chief Kasper stated it is. Alderman Selman asked if there is any salvage value. Chief stated there is some. Alderman Selman asked if the warranty is two years after purchase of delivery. Deputy Chief Chocola stated it is two years after the purchase agreement. He does not know if it is comprehensive coverage. Alderman Selman asked about maintenance. Chief Kasper stated the majority of the fleet is Pierce and this has a different motor. Alderman Selman asked Colleen about the financial audit with the loan. Colleen stated there is no issues. She could go back to the Illinois Finance Authority to see what the terms are for a loan. Chief Kasper stated this came through very quick and the need for a special meeting was because the unit was available for purchase across the country. They took it off the market and we have until December 2 to decide to purchase or not. Alderman Selman believes it is a terrific opportunity to get a truck in on time, be able to finance ourselves and provide for the safety and care of the residents. 

Alderman Emmett remarked the staff did a good job. He would like to see the replacement plan in the future. He remarked we have to buy this equipment. 

Alderman Hortsman remarked he would be happy to move this forward and would like to see the policy regarding the replacement of vehicles. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for any other questions or comments from the aldermen. Seeing none. 

City Council Chambers 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT 

Alderman Emmett 

Alderman Hortsman 

Alderman Danihel 

Alderman Keeler 

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

The motion carried 7/0. 

5. Citizen Participation 

None. 

6. Old Business 

City Administrator Tim Kristin remarked about having the levy discussion at the next meeting, the 26th, it will not be in until the first meeting in December. 

7. New Business 

None. 

8. Executive Session 

None. 

9. Adjournment 

Alderman Danihel made the motion to adjourn. Alderman Hortsman seconded. 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT 

Alderman Daniehl 

Alderman Keeler 

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

Alderman Emmett 

Alderman Hortsman 

The motion carried 7/0. 

Meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m. 

https://www.oak-forest.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11202024-2029