RICH LORD and JIM McKINNON Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania)
The city of Pittsburgh's 1,000-vehicle fleet will get a big tune-up this year with the purchase of 151 new cars and trucks, under a buying plan unveiled by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and approved by City Council yesterday.
The $9.1 million plan got the thumbs-up as Mr. Ravenstahl and U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle went to Carrick to unveil two new ladder trucks bought separately with federal Department of Homeland Security money.
"We have reviewed the needs of our Public Safety Department and we are certain that this increase will allow us to ensure the safety of our citizens -- and our officers," Mr. Ravenstahl said.
Besides 109 police cars, for $2.9 million, the administration plans to buy 10 firetrucks for $3.3 million, 16 public works trucks for $1.2 million, and an assortment of vehicles for paramedics, the parks department, the motor pool and the animal control division.
"I don't believe there's ever been an acquisition list this large," said city Finance Director Scott Kunka. "The mayor has been beating the bushes to try to find funds."
The funding comes from the city's coffers, state sources, the 1 percent countywide sales tax and a small piece of the city's federal development grant.
Last year, an internal Police Bureau report found a need for 312 vehicles and an inventory of only 267, including 67 that were out of service. The new cruisers, unmarked detective cars, motorcycles and wagons should drive the police fleet to 300 vehicles.
The city's Equipment Leasing Authority will soon either solicit bids for the vehicles or piggyback on state or other municipal contracts. New police vehicles may not be delivered until fall because of long production schedules.
The most expensive vehicles are two ladder trucks at $625,000 each. In late 2005, 12 of the city's 14 ladder trucks had not received annual certifications. Fire Chief Darryl Jones said the new equipment will mean the city has only one ladder truck in its fleet of 11 that was put in service before 2005.
The Homeland Security grant, for $1.675 million, also covers diesel exhaust systems to minimize the fumes firefighters breathe. Mr. Doyle, D-Forest Hills, said the department is spending about $490 million this year on fire departments throughout the country through a grant program.
Joe King, president of the city's firefighters union, was pragmatic in his praise of the new trucks.
"We've now got new tools and equipment, now we have to get staffing on them," Mr. King said. "But I'll take that up with the mayor later."
Council members pushed Mr. Kunka for commitments to buy environmentally friendly vehicles, and he said the administration is trying to identify hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles.
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