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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irving
FROM: Mark Matkovich, Assistant Chief of Services - Aurora Fire Department
DATE: February 12, 2021
SUBJECT:
Resolution authorizing Plymovent exhaust systems to be added to Reserve Medic 4 and Reserve Engine 55
PURPOSE:
To obtain approval to add Plymovent exhaust systems at Station 4 for Reserve Medic 4 and Station 5 for Reserve Engine 55.
BACKGROUND:
The Aurora Fire Department is in the 2nd year of a 3 year $50,000 a year decision package to upgrade the Nederman systems.
DISCUSSION:
Due to COVID this decision package was pushed back to late 2020. We were able to get 1 upgrade done last year. For these up-grades we will be using Hastings Air Energy Control, Inc. to install the Plymovent systems. Hasting Air Energy Control, Inc is the single source vendor in Illinois.
The Aurora Fire Department had Nederman exhaust systems installed in all 9 of their stations until 2020 when we started to switch to Plymovent. The reason the Aurora Fire Department is moving away from the Nederman system is because of the substandard service, communications issues and billing issues with Midwest Air Pro which is the Nederman dealer in our area. The Aurora Fire Departments 1st heard of the Plymovent system at a cancer prevention seminar. The reason we chose Plymovent over all the other vehicle exhaust systems is they can retrofit their exhaust system to our existing Nederman system without having to replace the entire system, saving us thousands of dollars. Also the Plymovent design will cost less in the future with maintenance. The Plymovent system is designed to break away into 3 pieces if there is an issue with the exhaust tube, costing less in repairs, where the Nederman system would rip the entire exhaust tube from the ceiling. Also the way the Plymovent system hooks to the exhaust is better, it is a magnet attached to the exhaust pipe. The Nederman system has a magnet that needs to be drilled into a door on the vehicle, which causes corrosion and because it is an electromagnet it needs power to stick to the vehicle. We have had many issues with the magnetic on the Nederman system.
The price to add a rail-based system for Medic 4 and Reserve Medic 4 bay is $23,707.00.
The price to add a rail-based system for Reserve Engine 55 is $18,774.00 for a total price of $42,482.00. The addition of these Plymovent systems will ensure that diesel exhaust is exhausted outside the building instead of in our living quarters upon starting the vehicles.
Funds are available and budgeted for this project in account 101-3033-422.38-05 in the amount of $50,000.
Per City of Aurora Code of Ordinances, Article 5, Section 2-355 (a) (6), any municipal work or public improvement, when the expense thereof will exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00), may be undertaken or constructed by contract or agreement without advertising for bids if authorized by a vote of three-fifths (3/5) of the members of the city council then holding office
IMPACT STATEMENT:
By adding these Plymovent exhaust systems to these Reserve units we are ensuring the proper exhaust of diesel fumes which are thought to be linked to lung cancer. Several other studies have looked at diesel exhaust being linked to other cancers, including bladder, larynx, esophagus stomach and pancreas. Short-term exposure can irritate your eyes, nose, throat and lungs.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the finance committee accept the quote from Hastings Air Energy Control, Inc. for $42,482.00 to add Plymovent exhaust systems to the reserve vehicle at Aurora Fire Station 4 and Station 5.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution approving the installation of Plymovent systems by Hastings Air Energy Control, Inc. at Aurora Fire Station 4 and Station 5 for reserve vehicles.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, Plymovent exhaust systems need to be added to the reserve vehicles at Aurora Fire Station 4 and 5 for proper exhaust of diesel fumes.
WHEREAS, Hastings Air Energy Control, Inc. is the preferred source vendor for Plymovent in Illinois and will be adding the Plymovent exhaust systems.
WHEREAS, per City of Aurora Code of Ordinances, Article 5, Section 2-355 (a) (6), any municipal work or public improvement, when the expense thereof will exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00), may be undertaken or constructed by contract or agreement without advertising for bids if authorized by a vote of three-fifths (3/5) of the members of the city council then holding office.
WHEREAS, 2021 funding for this project in the amount of $50,000.00 has been budgeted in account 101-3033-422.38-05
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: That the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois approves the installation of Plymovent exhaust systems at Aurora Fire Station 4 and Station 5 for their reserve vehicles for $42,482.00 by Hastings Air Energy Control, Inc. and hereby authorize its Director of Purchasing to issue the necessary purchase orders.