Measure will request $2 million to fund two new trucks, most of second station

Fire safety, improved response times and potential development in Sedro-Woolley has spurred the need for new equipment in the city’s fire department, city officials said.

Upgrades would include the purchase of a new ladder truck, a new fire engine and the construction of a second fire station on Portobello Avenue.

During their July 23 meeting, the Council unanimously approved placing a $2 million fire department bond on the Nov. 4 ballot that would pay for the new items.

Fire Chief Dean Klinger said in an interview that he is happy to receive the Council’s support. With the predictions of increasing development and population in Sedro-Woolley, it would be irresponsible for the city to not ask for the bond, he said.

City officials are looking toward the future and to the safety of the community by requesting to make such improvements to the fire department, Klinger said.

“The Council knows what’s coming down the road,” he said. “They know unless we do something, we’re going to get behind the curve.”

Sedro-Woolley Supervisor and Attorney Eron Berg said the ladder truck would cost about $750,000, the fire engine about $500,000 and the construction of a second fire station would cost about $1 million. The bond would fund $750,000 of the second fire station, with the remaining $250,000 coming from fire impact fees and real estate excise tax.

If approved by voters in the fall, the bond is estimated to cost Sedro-Woolley property owners about 17 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Low-income senior citizens and those who are disabled could file for exemption with the Skagit County Assessor’s Office.

The city currently does not have a ladder truck, but can use ladders that reach up to 35 feet. The new ladder truck would reach just over 100 feet.

Currently, if the fire department is responding to a call that requires a ladder truck, the Burlington Fire Department is called in to bring its ladder truck. It’s not just the height of a building that requires a ladder truck, but the size, Klinger said.

“I think at this time there are up to 34 to 39 buildings in town that require response from an aerial truck,” Klinger said.

Those buildings include Sedro-Woolley High School, Central Elementary School, Cascades Job Corps Center, United General Hospital and taller buildings located downtown, he said.

Economic development is another reason city officials hope to purchase a ladder truck. According to a memo compiled by Berg and Klinger, certain development within the city has not been feasible and has “cost the city opportunities over the years.”

The memo stated that purchasing a ladder truck would allow the Council to raise current height limitations and consequently “enhance the city’s tax base, increase revenues and allow for those dollars to support service for the community.”

Councilman Louie Requa said he knew certain types of development has taken place in other entities because there was a ladder truck.

“I think that will be a big help to have (a ladder truck) here to spur growth to get what we need and to provide service,” he said.

Fire Station 2 would be constructed on land donated to the city. The station would allow weekend and nighttime volunteers.

According to the memo, a moratorium on subdivisions may be lifted that could accelerate growth in areas like Dukes Hill along Highway 9, and on Fruitdale and McGarigle roads.

A second station would allow the fire department to reduce call times and improve its volunteer support from eastern Sedro-Woolley, the memo stated.

At the meeting, Klinger said Jack Moore, city planning director and building official, estimated that about 8,500 people could potentially move into new developments near the new station.

“That’s a whole ‘nother Sedro-Woolley,” Klinger said. “It’s better to be better prepared. Once development starts, it goes fast.”

The new fire engine is needed due to the growth of the fire department and addition of the second fire station, city officials said.

Each fire engine runs on a 20-year cycle, Klinger said. The engine that will be replaced is coming up on the end of its cycle in 2011, he said. The engine will serve other support roles in the fire department.

After the vote, Councilman Hugh Galbraith told the Council he appreciated their willingness to be progressive and face the challenges that may come in order to make such changes.

Bringing a bond issue before the people and asking them to raise taxes is difficult, but in order to be progressive, it’s what the Council needs to do, Galbraith said.