Joined
·
2,242 Posts
Fairbanks City Council OKs muscle cars for cops
By Rebecca George
Published Tuesday, April 21, 2009
FAIRBANKS — The Fairbanks City Council voted to support the purchase of five new police cars for Fairbanks police despite Councilman John Eberhart’s protest.
Fairbanks Police will purchase five new Dodge Chargers, fully loaded with police equipment and a hemi V-8 engine to replace older vehicles.
Councilman John Eberhart said he was bothered by the fact that the new cars come with hefty fuel costs, and he questioned buying Chrylser products in light of the recent government bailouts.
Eberhart said the purchase raises questions about Chrysler’s stability and ability to honor warranties.
“I think we’re going down the wrong track with this vehicle and with this sort of money,” he said.
Eberhart suggested the city consider smaller, cheaper V-6 engines and use the remaining money to pay for additional staff.
Eberhart voted no on the purchase but was outvoted by the other council members.
Councilman Jerry Cleworth sponsored the ordinance but said he was also concerned about the vehicles.
“I have an uneasy feeling we may be doing something wrong,” Cleworth said. “Sometime in the near future, we need to look at vehicles with more fuel efficiency. The days of cruisers as muscle cars are coming to an end, as much as I hate to see that happen.”
Cleworth noted that in Interior Alaska, police cars are often kept running during winter months to protect the equipment inside.
“We need to look at options in the future for what we buy, because we know fuel costs will go back up,” Cleworth said.
He voted in support of the purchase despite his concerns, because the vehicle purchase agreement can be renewed in one year’s time.
“It’s just food for thought in the future,” he said.
Councilman Chad Roberts added that the Public Works department manages the police fleets and stands behind the purchase.
“Public works is in full support and I think we have to act in good faith on our projects and in support of the local dealers,” Roberts said. “So long as the fleet management is in agreement with going forward with the purchase then I think we should as well.”
Acting Police Chief Brad Johnson said the cars were chosen based on research that said the Dodge performed better in northern climates and Fairbanks’ harsh winter environment.
“We go through an extensive amount of testing and research before we determine what we think should be a proper vehicle for our fleet,” Johnson said. “We want what is safest under all conditions.”
The purchases are subject for review every year.
“It may be that there are some viable options next year and in the future we can look at them in terms of fuel mileage and other factors,” he said.
In addition to new Dodge Chargers on city streets, residents can look forward to greener, cleaner lighting in neighborhoods starting this summer.
The city put $350,000 toward a grant to install new LED street lights, which will cut the city’s electric bill by roughly 50 percent.
Each light costs $109; the older lights cost as much as $354 each.
Public Works director Mike Schmetzer said he believes the lights will pay for themselves in three to four years.
“Hopefully this will give a shot in the arm to public works. We were fortunate enough to finish last year with a good surplus,” Cleworth said.
Cleworth said he thinks the city’s infrastructure has been neglected, something he thinks the city could have trouble funding in the future.
“I don’t think we’ve put adequate resources into infrastructure,” he said.
Most of the money allocated in Monday’s meeting was to match grants the city has applied for and been accepted. That money came from a surplus in the city’s fund balance, comprised essentially from a five-year average of earnings from the permanent fund.
By Rebecca George
Published Tuesday, April 21, 2009
FAIRBANKS — The Fairbanks City Council voted to support the purchase of five new police cars for Fairbanks police despite Councilman John Eberhart’s protest.
Fairbanks Police will purchase five new Dodge Chargers, fully loaded with police equipment and a hemi V-8 engine to replace older vehicles.
Councilman John Eberhart said he was bothered by the fact that the new cars come with hefty fuel costs, and he questioned buying Chrylser products in light of the recent government bailouts.
Eberhart said the purchase raises questions about Chrysler’s stability and ability to honor warranties.
“I think we’re going down the wrong track with this vehicle and with this sort of money,” he said.
Eberhart suggested the city consider smaller, cheaper V-6 engines and use the remaining money to pay for additional staff.
Eberhart voted no on the purchase but was outvoted by the other council members.
Councilman Jerry Cleworth sponsored the ordinance but said he was also concerned about the vehicles.
“I have an uneasy feeling we may be doing something wrong,” Cleworth said. “Sometime in the near future, we need to look at vehicles with more fuel efficiency. The days of cruisers as muscle cars are coming to an end, as much as I hate to see that happen.”
Cleworth noted that in Interior Alaska, police cars are often kept running during winter months to protect the equipment inside.
“We need to look at options in the future for what we buy, because we know fuel costs will go back up,” Cleworth said.
He voted in support of the purchase despite his concerns, because the vehicle purchase agreement can be renewed in one year’s time.
“It’s just food for thought in the future,” he said.
Councilman Chad Roberts added that the Public Works department manages the police fleets and stands behind the purchase.
“Public works is in full support and I think we have to act in good faith on our projects and in support of the local dealers,” Roberts said. “So long as the fleet management is in agreement with going forward with the purchase then I think we should as well.”
Acting Police Chief Brad Johnson said the cars were chosen based on research that said the Dodge performed better in northern climates and Fairbanks’ harsh winter environment.
“We go through an extensive amount of testing and research before we determine what we think should be a proper vehicle for our fleet,” Johnson said. “We want what is safest under all conditions.”
The purchases are subject for review every year.
“It may be that there are some viable options next year and in the future we can look at them in terms of fuel mileage and other factors,” he said.
In addition to new Dodge Chargers on city streets, residents can look forward to greener, cleaner lighting in neighborhoods starting this summer.
The city put $350,000 toward a grant to install new LED street lights, which will cut the city’s electric bill by roughly 50 percent.
Each light costs $109; the older lights cost as much as $354 each.
Public Works director Mike Schmetzer said he believes the lights will pay for themselves in three to four years.
“Hopefully this will give a shot in the arm to public works. We were fortunate enough to finish last year with a good surplus,” Cleworth said.
Cleworth said he thinks the city’s infrastructure has been neglected, something he thinks the city could have trouble funding in the future.
“I don’t think we’ve put adequate resources into infrastructure,” he said.
Most of the money allocated in Monday’s meeting was to match grants the city has applied for and been accepted. That money came from a surplus in the city’s fund balance, comprised essentially from a five-year average of earnings from the permanent fund.