The bank and city staff were required to fill out forms to allow acceptance and distribution of the funds: “. . .when it is finally approved we have to call HUD and give them the secret code and actually get the money deposited into the city’s account so we’ll be able to purchase the engine,” Chief Skeels noted.The morning of the council meeting Chief Skeels received the certified receipt from HUD that the documents had been received.In the interim, Chief Skeels and members of the fire department have been working on finding what model engine they believe will be the best fit for the city.“On the other side of the coin we’re not sitting idle,” and Captain Dan Campos has been designated the lead agent for the purchase. In addition, “Manufacturing representatives have been visiting us in town and we’ve seen at least three engines come to Santa Paula,” for inspection. “. . .we’re focused on one we’re pretty interested in.”An attempt is underway to partner with another agency that is purchasing a fire engine to piggyback onto the order as a money-saving measure, Chief Skeels noted.“You’re satisfied that this on track and nobody is holding up anything?” asked Mayor Don Johnson, and Chief Skeels assured him of same.“I feel part of the problem is the community got very excited,” at the prospect of the new engine when it was announced, said Councilwoman Laura Flores Espinosa. “. . .we’ll get the engine in time,” but the grant process can be a long one.
New fire engine still going through grant process, Fire Chief tells Council
July 27, 2001
Santa Paula City Council
The City Council learned at the July 16 meeting that the purchase of a new fire truck was delayed due to the intricacy of the grant process but that the funding will soon be available, according to a fire department official.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe City Council learned at the July 16 meeting that the purchase of a new fire truck was delayed due to the intricacy of the grant process but that the funding will soon be available, according to a fire department official.Chief Paul Skeels gave an outline of the acquisition process, noting that it started in October when it was announced that Rep. Elton Gallegly had sponsored a grant of approximately $300,000 for the purchase of equipment.“There were quite a bit of bureaucratic hoops to jump through before the funds would trickle down to Santa Paula,” he noted.But not without communication between Chief Skeels and Rep. Gallegly with the Department of Housing & Urban Development, the source of the grant.“After communications the paperwork started churning,” including the needed votes by the City Council on various portions of the application process, including the city adhering to a rafter of federal laws.“It took quite a bit of time to get that finalized and we had to bring in another major player,” the city’s bank, said Chief Skeels.
